August 2025 Recap

Master's Players,The best weather of the season brought out the best turnout in a LONG time! 26 participants drew a poker chip that Sunday morning, which hasn't happened since June 2008, and the overall attendance this year was the highest since 2007. The attendance was amazing this year, and the competition was the highest since I began participating in 2009. But maybe the most impressive thing to me is the "gentleman factor" of the group, and what a privilege it is to have so many fantastic guys to play with and hang out with.

POTY- Just like the June & July events, the teams were once again very evenly balanced, as many teams had a chance to be in the finals, but there was clearly one "lucky chip" this year, and it was the chip that paired you up with Max Oosterbaan who won in both June and July, almost won a third in a row as he lost in a very close match in August! Hence, please join me in Congratulating Max on his 3rd Player of The Year award, his first solo POTY honor, and his first since 2016! Quite an impressive season, and arguably one of the best in the history of the Masters. It shall be called "The Year of Max"!

As always, Thank you to Steve Devlin for supplying the setup equipment and to Joe Koselleck & Jason Scott for getting the equipment to the beach early. Honorable mention as well to Luke Young for arriving early and chipping in the 6th net. 

Roll Shots:This will be a handful of my observations/memories /appreciation of the day, and my attempt at some humor-Best Year -  I hope this repeats every year, but as it stands now 2025 was the best.....but there's always next year.

New players-  Thank you to Paul Gave, and John Walrod for joining the tradition of The Master's, glad to officially have you as part of the history!

Best Realization of Opponent moment-  Mike Schmitt said "We have to play those guys in the first round of the contenders bracket?!? REALLY?!?"" Just goes to show how strong the field was....and by the way, Mike & Nick won the match.   

Best Finals - As mentioned, Max was very close to hitting the trifecta, and the match went 3 games with bonus time, and it was just a great battle and a lot of fun to watch. There was even a little "testosterone flare up" during the match during a score discussion. It was suggested we may need to bring the flip cards to track the score of the game! However, in true "Masters Spirit", everyone was "cool" after it was over.

Best defense - I know...we may just need to call it "Best Dave Pabellon imitation".  Some of the extended rallys were just amazing to see, his motor just doesn't slow down...EVER!  

Best post tournament spot: Always nice to have a free drink courtesy of the winning team, surprised more guys don't take advantage?!? 6 of us did though, and always nice to have a bite to eat at Fernando's! 

Most Traveled - The Masters continues to draw national participation, so thank you to Brian Bremer, John Walrod, and Jason Scott for making the long journey to join us.

Best "Cherry Pop" -  Congratulations to Ron Filarski for getting his first win! He's been close a number of times before, but was great to see him get over the hump, and not an easy to do playing with a guy that doesn't set very well! 

"Allstate" award- For those that don't know Jason Scott, arguably the best setter I've ever played with, and unfortunately against with many losses over the years to him. Hence he nabs the "You're in good hands award!"

More players needed:

If you know a player that would enjoy playing with, and they comply with my "no assholes allowed" policy, please invite them! They will appreciate being a part of this tradition.Chris847-612-4208P.S. - Constructive feedback is always appreciated, please share.