The 2011 Miami Invitational
Back by popular demand the 2011 Miami Invitational will take place at Doral Resort & Spa on Friday 18th November, where the Rest of the World will try to wrestle back the trophy having lost by the narrowest of margins in 2010 (9-8).
Invitations will follow shortly along with the long awaited Hall of Fame and Shame......
Friday, August 26, 2011
Monday, September 27, 2010
Let the Miami Invitational Drama Begin!
Prince Charles will attend the Ryder Cup practice rounds in Wales on Wednesday, and rumors are starting to fly in Miami as to which very important person (people?) will be attending the Miami Invitational practice rounds this year.
Will it be Lord Levene, Chairman of Lloyd's? Or, will it be, as the rumor mill has it, the very important CEO of a certain major reinsurer who is interested in opening up in Miami...
For theater, and especially melodrama, few sporting events can match the Miami Invitational. In the last 4 years, the Miami Invitational has sprouted from its simple golf-competition roots into an international three-day extravaganza with twists and turns off the course that match the triumph and tribulation on it.
Because of the head-to-head format, because of the personalities involved, because of the team dynamics and the hotly debated coaching strategies, the Miami Invitational is a three-act play with a golf course for a setting.
The subplots to the drama are everywhere with characters known, unknown and perhaps soon to be renowned.
To-wit, the 2010 Miami Invitational playbill:
ACT ONE
The Miami Invitational leading ladies, at least as the curtain opens, are without question April McLaughlin, newly of Catlin Americas, and Joanne Morgan.
Think the British and American press will keep an eye on these two players? Absolutely!
However, the narrative really starts where all 2010 Miami reinsurance stories start, with the musical chairs that have characterized the industry in the last twelve months...
For the Americas team that means that Enrique Venegas, newly employed at Willis, his swing in transition, his putting stroke untrustworthy and his confidence wavering, will be the in the spotlight. Why? Because the Miami Invitational could be the beginning of the Americas reclamation project, the springboard to a roaring sports and career comeback.
With this year representing a tie-breaker of the 2-2 series tie, Act One of the Miami Invitational has all the trappings of an Americas revival — or a new low.
If Venegas is the Americas’ leading man, then Mike Robertson is the Rest of the World’s counterpart, a hero or foil so perfectly in step he’s even been embroiled in his own scandal. Robertson is bright, charming and has the stronger team on paper, so his team could have sailing. He’s also thin-skinned, prone to ill-advised eruptions, turns beet red at every perceived slight or faux pas and will have television cameras aimed at him around the clock.
What could go wrong?
ACT TWO
Every drama needs a dark prince. Enter Richard Stark. The Englishman from Cooper Gay seemed to have had the pulse of the Rest of the World team last year, until when he and Tony Phillips got thumped like a drum by Gustavo Bravo and Manuel Moreno. You could say that Stark has never recovered. Currently on sabbatical as a player, Stark has a mischievous streak that the Miami Invitational brings out. Expect Stark to be everywhere — he loves baiting the Americas team.
Speaking of a fiery personality, John Giralt and Mike Lambert want to be the 2010 edition of Stark circa 2009. Giralt and Lambert are talented and flamboyant. Giralt was unceremoniously uninvited last year, after playing the year prior, and Lambert will be playing for the first time this year. When organizers first tried to sneak Giralt into the (again!) tournament last year, the press went bonkers and labeled it a sign of desperation that laid bare “the Americas lack’ of depth in the Miami market.”
ACT THREE
The Miami Invitational is often a loud, splashy affair, a free for all across 18 tense holes with heroes crowned and goats cursed across a long, anxious afternoon. The possible outcomes are varied, but again, there are a few characters and subplots to watch.
Some of the players could be forced into prominent roles. Two of them are Gustavo Massiani and Tom Cunningham, known on the circuit for their turbulent temper when things don’t go well. Good thing for Massiani and Cunningham there’s no pressure in the Miami Invitational...
A similar spotlight could be on Alejandro Pedroza, who has already had bad experiences at the Miami Invitational. Could it be another sink-or-swim moment for Pedroza?
There may be no Americas golfer under more pressure than Frank Padilla. Padilla is a two-time winner, but he has not won a Miami Invitational match recently. By the way, Padilla has arranged for the room where the Americas team will gather to be soundproofed... It’s next to the Rest of the World team room. Can’t you just see Padilla on a chair with a glass to the wall trying to hear if the Rest of the World players are arguing?
CURTAIN CALL
The Miami Invitational is a spectacle like none other in sport, and once the curtain comes down on this golf drama, there is only one thing that is certain. Both sides go to a big cast party.
Julian Pratt, perhaps the Rest of the World’s least understood player, has been recovering from a sports injury. To improve his fitness during his layoff, he has given up alcohol.
In an interview earlier this month, Pratt said, “If we win the Miami Invitational and you hear a loud noise, it will be me falling off the wagon.”
Monday, September 13, 2010
It's Baaaack -- Historical Match Will Break the 2-2 Logjam
While tournament co-founder and Rest of the World team member Julian Pratt has fully embraced the task of leading the RoW team to break the 2-2 Miami Invitational Cup tie, he knows that to be successful his team will need strong support from his side's fans.
Separately, tournament co-founder and member of the Americas team, Frank Padilla, said: "I've already made my first official visit to Doral in representation of the Americas team in expectation of bringing the Cup home, and you can already sense the excitement with history in the making as we are prepared to beat the RoW team.”
Jules’ and Frank’s upbeat assessment of their respective prospects at Doral Resort & Spa, in Miami, Fla, coincides with miamiinvitational.com announcing that sign-up for the tournament has officially opened.
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Official Announcement:
It’s time to sign up to play in (or sponsor) the 5th Annual Miami Invitational, slated to take place on Friday, Nov. 19th, 2010 at Doral Resort & Spa, in Miami, Fla. Sign up early, as last year’s tournament sold out several weeks prior to the event
The competition takes place on the traditional Friday before Thanksgiving. Miami and international reinsurance industry leaders traditionally arrive at Doral several days early in order to play, meet other leaders, and to experience some of the more exotic and picturesque venues that surround the city.
The 2010 Miami Invitational Ryder Cup -- a match destined to deliver one of the greatest weeks in the sporting history of Florida on a course purposely designed and built for international golf competition.
The Committee (Julian Pratt, Mike Robertson, Art Falcon and Frank Padilla) note that only 60 playing slots are available. “This outing has truly become the premier golf event for leaders in the reinsurance industry, and I think the continued support for the tournament from the Miami community shows how much our industry really cares about having a good time,” Robertson said.
The Coalition for REasonable Entertainment Policies (CREEP) has stepped forward as the Gold Sponsor for the first time, and the tournament committee is currently looking for Silver sponsors. There is already a waiting list for hole-in-one and single hole sponsors.
The event includes a round of golf, golf shirt, after-golf social, and prizes. Awards will be presented following the tournament.
Those interested in becoming a sponsor should contact julian [dot] pratt [at] aonbenfield [dot] com
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Hackers and Hucksters
Hackers and Hucksters (you know in which category you fall...), we are pleased to present to you yet another first for the Miami Invitational.
Drumroll, Please....
Having more cash-in-hand than common sense, this year the Committee hired the regionally renowned, South Beach-based team of former professional photographers Carmen Jiminian, and Monica Barrios, to practice the art of the chiaroscuro (that would be photography for those of you less familiar with the fine arts) on tournament participants.
Individual and group ensembles of all Miami Invitational players are on display at the Kodak Gallery. There you will find THE definitive collection of action photos, candid shots, the joy of victory, and the agony of defeat for this annual tournament.
Purchase a permanent, limited-time offer remembrance of the 4th annual Miami Invitational. Individual photos are available for purchase starting at the low price of 9 cents, and hardcover photo books can be purchased for as low at USD 9.99 for 10 photographs, up to USD 45.00 for all 85 photos.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Morning After
In the aftermath of a fight well fought, some players drowned their sorrows, others celebrated their victorious ways. Either way, a lot of refreshments were consumed by all last night.
At last count, this morning there were no less than 17 players nursing the results of excessive consumption...
Friday, November 20, 2009
ROTW WINS - TIES THE SERIES
In a nail-biter of an ending, the Rest Of The World team managed to pull a victory from the jaws of defeat. The series is now tied 2-2, and next year's 5th Anniversary tie-breaker event is already the subject of heavy discussion...
The tie-breaker will be broadcast live around the world, and major sponsors are already lining-up to provide shirts, tees, booze, etc.
There is also talk of conspiracy in the air, and of bending of the rules this year, but we will leave those for another posting.
Amongst the highlights today:
- Kevin Crawford and Neil Bath produced the finest performances of their career to win their match against Frank Padillay and Juan Calvache.
- There is talk of betrayal (what would a reinsurance event be without it?), with Gustavo Bravo rumored to be wanting a transfer back to the ROTW team...
- Jose Perez-Albela and Kevin Brown were humbled by AJ McLaughlin and Jo Morgan
- Mike Roberston and Dan Hallinan miraculously won their match against Art Falcon and Humberto Pozos
- John Blake and Gustavo Martinez took Erik Jarrin and Carlos Garcia to school
- Bill Breslin and Chris Diebold valiantly tried to regain their composure, but at the end were no match for Manuel Almenara and JC Coronado (who sported the most ridiculous hat ever to have played Doral)
- Messrs Corona end Echeverri were not able to handle the dinamic duo of Mesrrs Riviere and Almarez
- In a dissapointing round for all, as both sides expected to win this one, Vernon and Stullenberg split a point with Collazo and Anderson (maybe Collazo should have gone home early last night after all)
- Marmorek and Downey were shown some new tricks by Barguez and Salamanca (the latter who should learn that it's not good for ones career to overshadow the boss in a sporting competition)
- Pratt and Massiani, the dynamic duo from Manchester and Maracaibo respectively, showed that despite their age they can still hit the ball by besting Pedroza and Beltran
- In the biggest surprise of the day, Gary Windsor, of Nokia, Finland, and Graham Curtis, convincingly beat the heretofore unbeatable Venegas and Delgado
- Despites Bravo's rumored desire for a transfer, he and Moreno soundly outplayed Stark and Phillips
- In a highly anticipated pairing, being the closer of the event, Hughes and Jamison split a point with Pardo and Escobar
The tie-breaker will be broadcast live around the world, and major sponsors are already lining-up to provide shirts, tees, booze, etc.
There is also talk of conspiracy in the air, and of bending of the rules this year, but we will leave those for another posting.
Amongst the highlights today:
- Kevin Crawford and Neil Bath produced the finest performances of their career to win their match against Frank Padillay and Juan Calvache.
- There is talk of betrayal (what would a reinsurance event be without it?), with Gustavo Bravo rumored to be wanting a transfer back to the ROTW team...
- Jose Perez-Albela and Kevin Brown were humbled by AJ McLaughlin and Jo Morgan
- Mike Roberston and Dan Hallinan miraculously won their match against Art Falcon and Humberto Pozos
- John Blake and Gustavo Martinez took Erik Jarrin and Carlos Garcia to school
- Bill Breslin and Chris Diebold valiantly tried to regain their composure, but at the end were no match for Manuel Almenara and JC Coronado (who sported the most ridiculous hat ever to have played Doral)
- Messrs Corona end Echeverri were not able to handle the dinamic duo of Mesrrs Riviere and Almarez
- In a dissapointing round for all, as both sides expected to win this one, Vernon and Stullenberg split a point with Collazo and Anderson (maybe Collazo should have gone home early last night after all)
- Marmorek and Downey were shown some new tricks by Barguez and Salamanca (the latter who should learn that it's not good for ones career to overshadow the boss in a sporting competition)
- Pratt and Massiani, the dynamic duo from Manchester and Maracaibo respectively, showed that despite their age they can still hit the ball by besting Pedroza and Beltran
- In the biggest surprise of the day, Gary Windsor, of Nokia, Finland, and Graham Curtis, convincingly beat the heretofore unbeatable Venegas and Delgado
- Despites Bravo's rumored desire for a transfer, he and Moreno soundly outplayed Stark and Phillips
- In a highly anticipated pairing, being the closer of the event, Hughes and Jamison split a point with Pardo and Escobar
Other Awards
Best Dressed: Carlos Garcias
Worst Dressed: Gary Windsor
Most Obnoxious: Richard Stark
Worst Score: Jose A. Perez-Albela / Kevin Brown
Worst Dressed: Gary Windsor
Most Obnoxious: Richard Stark
Worst Score: Jose A. Perez-Albela / Kevin Brown
And It's On!
The shotgun start went of at 8.30 AM at the Doral. Before the eagerly anticipated tee off there were a few early birds at the driving range, duffing while vainly attempting to improve their game at the last minute.
On both teams, the usual hungover suspects were wearing "I couldn't care less" looks that matched their reddish eyes, the very feminine pink / salmon / mauve or whatever color the ROTW team shirts turned out to be, and their beer-stenching breath...
On both teams, the usual hungover suspects were wearing "I couldn't care less" looks that matched their reddish eyes, the very feminine pink / salmon / mauve or whatever color the ROTW team shirts turned out to be, and their beer-stenching breath...
In a few hours we'll know if the ROTW victory last year was a fluke, or if The Americas will be shamed and the drought will be extended.
Stay tuned. Scores and photos to follow.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Five Questions for Julian Pratt
He has won several costume contests, even though he has never worn a costume. He once made a hole-in-one, even thought nobody saw it go in... His charm is so contagious, vaccines have been created for it. He is, the "brains" behind the Miami Invitational, Julian Pratt.
Q: What went wrong for the "Rest Of The World" team the first two years (when it lost to The Americas)?
A: 'Focus' is an overused word these days in international sport, but truely I believe they lacked it.... Our sense of national pride and integrity shone through... No surprise to me!
Q: Any nerves on the first tee? Why, or why not?
A: No. Strong European lager on route to event supplied by Heineken Bill.
Q: Best post-golf watering hole in Miami?
A: Pink something or other, Robertson knows the name.
Q: What's Ideal reinsurance foursome in Miami?
A: Me and the top three picks from Mike's pink place
Q: One word to describe the "Rest Of The World" Team.
A: Length
Q: What went wrong for the "Rest Of The World" team the first two years (when it lost to The Americas)?
A: 'Focus' is an overused word these days in international sport, but truely I believe they lacked it.... Our sense of national pride and integrity shone through... No surprise to me!
Q: Any nerves on the first tee? Why, or why not?
A: No. Strong European lager on route to event supplied by Heineken Bill.
Q: Best post-golf watering hole in Miami?
A: Pink something or other, Robertson knows the name.
Q: What's Ideal reinsurance foursome in Miami?
A: Me and the top three picks from Mike's pink place
Q: One word to describe the "Rest Of The World" Team.
A: Length
Five Questions for Arturo Falcon
His reputation is expanding faster than the universe. He once had an awkward moment… just to see how it feels. He lives vicariously through himself. He is... Arturo Falcon, co-founder of the Miami Invitational.
Q: What went wrong for "The Americas" team last year (when it lost to the “Rest Of The World”)?
A: We were honest in providing our handicaps, while the ROW team was very creative.
Q: Any nerves on the first tee? Why, or why not?
A: Sure, especially after the night before celebration
Q: Best post-golf watering hole in Miami?
A: Doral
Q: What's Ideal reinsurance foursome in Miami?
A: Frank and I beating up on Julian and Mike
Q: One word to describe the "The Americas" Team.
A: Winners
Q: What went wrong for "The Americas" team last year (when it lost to the “Rest Of The World”)?
A: We were honest in providing our handicaps, while the ROW team was very creative.
Q: Any nerves on the first tee? Why, or why not?
A: Sure, especially after the night before celebration
Q: Best post-golf watering hole in Miami?
A: Doral
Q: What's Ideal reinsurance foursome in Miami?
A: Frank and I beating up on Julian and Mike
Q: One word to describe the "The Americas" Team.
A: Winners
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