July 7, 2004

EBENSBURG, PA — During the first round at Jackson Valley, the skins were even and Brian Long had a commanding 3-stroke lead.  After playing 36 holes and the 2nd round at Champion Lakes the skins were still even, but Kyle Marti had rattled the fans, partners, and game of golf into a one-skin lead.  "This system is pretty good," says Kyle Marti.  "I am terrible and one up on Brian.  I like that."

Marti's misfortunes started early.  After a few bad chips on 1, Marti hit two conservative 4-irons down the middle on the Par 5 leaving 70 yards for an approach.  "What I saw from there was embarrassing," says Brian Long.  "Try to imagine anyone shooting 6-strokes from 70 yards.  He did not appear happy." The wheels contined to be off for Kyle Marti throughout the front nine.  After missing a 5-foot putt and shooting 27 strokes on the first 4 holes, you could hear a light whisper around the tees and greens.  "I could not make it out until #7," says Brian.  "The fans had turned on him and muttling "loser" between shots."

After another horrible putt, Marti let himself go.  He hurled his club 20 yards into a tree, in true Judge Smails fashion.  The club remained up in the tree as Marti and what fans were left threw sticks at the putter.

With no immediate result, Kyle Marti pulled out his lob wedge.  He lobbed his wedge up in the air and knocked it out of the tree.  "The fans started getting louder asking Kyle to withdrawl," says Brian.  They got louder and started to name call.  It was now effecting my game."

A rattled Long then proceeded to 4-putt the next hole including a miss for bogey from one foot.  "This was disappointing," says Long.  "I usually do not let sucky players get to me."

Brian was not happy with the sportsmanship and fan reactions and picked out two particular people in the gallery saying, "You!  Get out!  Just because Marti sucks for half a round, cannot control his temper, and extremely violent, does not give anyone the right to critize.  He is in charge of the Skills Challenge to help him with his short game and we are working on his temper.  Everyone needs to just back off."  

Sunday started off with better behaviors and an easy par 5 at Ebensburg CC, with Long hitting his wedge into the green for double-eagle, which Long then proclaimed, "This course is easy, how is the slope at 140.  I am going to dominate today."

The front 9 produced consistant play with Kyle Marti taking a 1-stroke lead into the back nine.  Brian Long then fell to the pressures of consistent golf.  After another devastating 3-putt, Long finished Hole 10 with a 10.  

That was just the beginning of the troubles for both players on the back side.  The next six holes demanded shots over ravines, tall grass, and swampland.  While racking up strokes, duffing shot after shot, and hitting into the tall grass.  Both Long and Marti carding a pair of 9's.  Marti declared "That was the hardest back side I have played with minimal water.  It was as tough as Thunder Hill."

Marti finished Sunday with a 4-stroke lead over Long as they continued on their private marathon.

After a heavy night of drinking to forget the previous round, Marti and Long set out to Oakbrook to test their luck on Monday.  The very dry conditions allowed for long drives.  Brian shot 45 on the front side to take a big lead.  

The lack of water made the greens very fast.  Just tapping the ball as hard as you would hit a 4 inch putt would roll 12-ft past the hole and off the green.  "The greens were horrendous," says Marti.  After settling down on the back, Marti and Long hit their tee shots on 17 into the woods.  Marti struck a perfect shot between two trees and back in play.  "You are the luckiest bastard ever when it comes to hitting the ball through trees," said a very angry Brian.  

After 72 holes of play, Long had a surprising 6-stroke lead and 3rd place in the On Tour Championship.     The 26-point effort by Kyle Marti continues to put him in uncharted waters.  His round at Jackson Valley, Champion Lakes, and Oakbrook move him into 43rd place for the On Tour Championship.