Handicapping the Amateurs

by

Chad "the Guru" Webmaster

6/8/04 note:  What a stroke of genius -- pure sarchasm intended.  Derek lowers his golf handicap approaching the competition?  What's he thinking/drinking?!?

6/14/04 note:  With Tom's golf handicap on the rise, Paul's bowling seemingly intact, and Derek's shrinking golf handicap, it appears there will be a 2-man race for both the championship and the cellar.  Revisions appear in red below.

7/19/04 note:  With Wagner's unforeseen withdrawal, Tom is clearly cast as a favorite to repeat.  Odds revisions appear in purple below.

Ah, soon time for the boys to take their creaky bodies out for another abuse session. Here’s how the Guru (me) sees this year’s competition:

Golf (45 points):  Practice makes perfect, and Tom has an overwhelming edge (20-30 more rounds than any competitor since last year’s Cup).  Derek’s handicap is now far askew, and Paul is returning from a year’s absence.  Kevin is always an enigma here.

   Chad’s Odds:

        Tom     3-1    5-2        5-2

        Paul     5-1     5-1       7-2

        Derek   6-1   10-1       6-1

        Kevin   4-1     7-2       7-1

Tennis (24 points):  Kevin has dominated this event for a number of years, though taken to a tiebreaker by Derek last year.  It’s still Wagner’s event to lose.

   Chad’s Odds:

        Derek   4-1    5-1     12-5

        Paul     7-1    7-1       7-2

        Tom     7-1    7-1       5-1

        Kevin   2-1    2-1      12-1

Bowling (17 points):  The introduction of handicaps last year cast this event in a completely new light.  As in golf, Derek’s elevated (gross) average has plateaued, leaving this event open to the field.  Paul may still be “handicapped” with a bum wrist.

   Chad’s Odds:

        Tom     3-1    7-2     5-2

        Derek   3-1    4-1     4-1

        Paul     7-1    9-2     4-1

        Kevin   4-1    4-1    10-1

Hoops (14 points):  Derek has owned this event lately, but could be challenged by anyone who comes “prepared.”

   Chad’s Odds:

        Derek   2-1    2-1      2-1

        Tom     7-1    7-1      9-2

        Paul     7-1    7-1      9-2

        Kevin   4-1    4-1     14-1

Soooo… what it comes down to is another barnburner.  Here’s how I see the finish:

This just in from the "not so fast" department:

Tom     26.5    28.0    33.0

Derek   27.0    21.0    29.0

Paul     17.5    18.0    27.0

 Kevin   29.0    33.0    11.0 

Sorry Kevin, but someone has to appear on the cover of “Chad’s Illustrated.”  And remember, there’s no truth to that curse thing...

Actually, the curse thing DID hold true!