Matt Blackburn - Captain
Home Club: The Lakes Golf Club
Index: 8.0
Scouting Notes: With intimate knowledge of The Lakes Golf Course as its Superintendent since construction of the course in 2009, he carries an advantage over most for the first two days of competition. Especially because he will be placing pins for the first three rounds of play. In three Lobster Boil Appearances, Matt has 6 wins, 8 losses, and remarkably no halved matches. His name is yet to be etched onto the base of the Lobster Boil trophy. However, he is currently the reigning champion of the Big Break competition, having won it all in 2016.
Ben Young - Captain
Home Club: The Lakes Golf Club
Index: 10.5
Scouting Notes: As Matt's number two at The Lakes Golf Club, his record speaks for itself. With only two appearances at the Lobster Boil, he sits at number 6 on the all time Lobster Leaderboard with 7 wins, and only 3 losses. Ben is one of only five participants who have a perfect record with their name on the trophy twice in two attempts. Not only is Ben Matt's number two at The Lakes, he also placed second place behind Matt in the 2016 Big Break competition. Obviously, their knowledge of the facility and advantage of setting up paid off in 2016. Hopefully the Upper Canadians can take the title from the local sweep that occurred in 2016.
Jim Flynn
Home Club: Weston Golf and Country Club
Index: 21.8
Scouting Notes: The current Lobster Boil favourite with the most all time Ryder Cup points earned for his teams. An incredible 10-2-2 record, Jim has led his team to two victories in his three Lobster Boil appearances. In particular, in 2015, he went a perfect 4-0. However, rumour has it that his game has escaped him this year and injuries always plague his ability to dominate outright. Jim has placed third in the Big Break competition in both 2014 and 2015.
Craig MacAdam
Home Club: Weston Golf and Country Club
Index: 15.3
Scouting Notes: "It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to". As the only participant to have played in all four Lobster Boil Invitationals, sits tied for second with 9 Ryder Cup points earned. However, with an 8-9-2 record, it appears to be more of a case of quantity over quality. Always excited for this event, his golf game has been hit and miss under the pressure. And lately, more miss than hit.
Derek Radford
Home Club: Trafalgar Golf Club
Index: 11.0
Scouting Notes: In three appearances, stands T4 in all time Ryder Cup Points earned for his teams. At 7-5-2, a very respectable track record. A bookie was recently overheard in a 19th hole conversation of Radford's game, "Though he hasn't been getting out much this season, his game is very sharp".
Paul Galbraith
Home Club: Credit Valley Golf Club
Index: 7.0
Scouting Notes: No stranger to success in Cape Breton as a golfer, Galbraith is the only participant thus far to have scored an ace during Lobster Boil play. He's placed second two times in the Big Break competition. At a Pro-Am scramble at The Lakes playing with Nick Taylor, he would have beat him playing his own ball. Tied fourth with Radford for all time Ryder Cup points earned, Galbraith has been on the victorious squad in two of his three appearances. Galbraith has also been the runner up placing second in both 2014 and 2015 Big Break competitions.
Keith Mulcahy
Home Club: Somewhere in Ireland next to Bono's house
Index: 9.0
Scouting Notes: This Irishmen was raised playing match play golf. A fierce competitor, whether he has his game with him or not. Historic Lobster Boil matches with Ben Young and the legendary Rob Weir are remembered even by those who weren't there. Bested only by Ben Young with Ryder Cup points earned in just two appearances, a high probability pick to be most efficient in accumulating points for his side.
Rob Edmonds
Home Club: Weston Golf and Country Club
Index: 17.0
Scouting Notes: An intense player who doesn't give away points without a fight. With a record of 4-2-3, he ranks fourth in points accumulated for two-time participants. Halving a match against Edmonds should be considered a victory. Very familiar with links golf at Cabot Resort, he has been successful in half of his efforts to bring the trophy home for his team. Rob has invited Dave Bjorkenstam to join the contest in 2018.
Joe McCooeye
Home Club: Upper Canada Golf Course, Morrisburg
Index: 18.2
Scouting Notes: A summertime resident of Cape Breton from Morrisburg, Ontario who has participated in three Lobster Boil events. His last effort in 2016 was a winning one, contributing significantly to team Reid's conquest at the Battle of Inverness with 3.5 Ryder Cup points earned out of a possible 5. Joe McCooeye also joined the three real Ben Eoin locals in sweeping the 2016 Big Break placings fourth behind Blackburn, Young, and Walker.
Sean McNeill
Home Club: Devil's Pulpit
Index: 7.0
Scouting Notes: One of the favourites for this year's Lobster Boil. Favourites with whom to have a beer, but also with one of the lowest handicaps. Apparently, he hasn't been out golfing much this season. Not to worry, as I am sure he'll shake off the rust pretty quickly. Playing a round with McNeill is an advantage to an opponent who is wise enough to learn from watching the smoothness of his swing and the ease with which he approaches golf and life.
Bob Walker
Home Club: The Lakes Golf Club
Index: 7.0
Scouting Notes: The silent assassin. Beware this local last minute stand-in turned regular. In Lobster Boil 2015, we found ourselves short a man going into the second half of the weekend. Bob jumped at the chance to join us at Cabot from his post as starter at The Lakes. In just one and a half appearances in the Lobster Boil, he has his name on the trophy twice. Bob is one of just a handful of players who have gone 2 for 2 in Lobster Boil appearances. None have yet to be on the winning team in 3 of 3. (Ben young is the only other positioned to potentially achieve that feat this year ...Craig Dunne, Dave Morrison, and Thom Hull are also 2 of 2, but not participating in 2018). Bob also placed third in the historic locals sweep of 2016 Big Break competition.
Bruce Tucker
Home Club: Weston Golf and Country Club
Index: 10.6
Scouting Notes: Bruce has played many great courses around the world and has become a big fan of golf on Cape Breton island and a great recruiter of other Weston members to the fold. He has yet to bring his best game to the island with his personal record at 2-5-2. However, he has been successful in helping his squad to victory with moral support in half of his two appearances. The gossip at Weston Golf and Country Club is that this will be his year.
Chris Blandford
Home Club: Credit Valley Golf and Country Club
Index: 17.3
Scouting Notes: A perfect record in his Singles matches (1 for 1), he's the guy to put money on down the stretch. As a good friend of Sean McNeill, he shares a laid back outlook on life that serves him well on the links of Cape Breton Island. I witnessed his performance in his first major of the season, (the two-day member-guest at Credit Valley). With playing partner, Jay Lee, Chris looked to be on trajectory to be peaking for The Lobster Boil... on holes 1 through 18 and the 19th.
Bob Decker
Home Club: Credit Valley Golf and Country Club
Index: 13.2
Scouting Notes: A two-time (almost 3-time) participant, Decker is practically a fixture at the Lobster Boil. A cycling accident the week before last year's event had him sidelined for the remainder of the season. However, like Chris Blandford, his performance at the Credit Valley member-guest has analysts making positive projections for this year's effort. If only he had a better playing partner, he might have been a contender in that tournament.
Dave Bjorkenstam
Home Club: Whistle Bear Golf Club
Index: 7.5
Scouting Notes: A first time Lobster Boil participant invited by Rob Edmonds. Without a track record amongst the pressures of Cape Breton golf, we don't know what to expect from this first timer. All we know is that Dave plays at Whistle Bear in Cambridge and comes in with high expectations as one of the lowest handicaps in the group.
David Pong
Home Club: Weston Golf and Country Club
Index: 10.9
Scouting Notes: One of three first timers joining us from Weston this summer, David is tough match play competitor. Like his approach to business, he brings a laser focus and thoughtful strategy to his game.
Andy DeHaas
Home Club: Lowville Golf Club
Index: 11.9
Scouting Notes: Uncle to the Kenty brothers. Andy plays at Lowville and is making his first appearance at The Lobster Boil. Having never been to golf in Cape Breton, he may distracted by the scenery. However, based on his handicap Andy will likely have a lot of lessons to pass on to some of the less experienced participants on the course.
Clark Tatton
Home Club: Weston Golf and Country Club
Index: 12.6
Scouting Notes: Probably the largest of all men in the competition, this ex-footballer takes his sporting seriously. A recent powerlifting injury has sidelined him in the preparation for the Lobster Boil. But his medical team has given him the green light and he is clear to tee off for his first time in Nova Scotia. With great reluctance, he has agreed to accept the invitation to golf with a couple dozen strangers for four days. Quite certain he'll have been glad he did once it's over.
Matt Kenty
Home Club: Labatt Fourth Line Hockey
Index: 15.0
Scouting Notes: Once a speedy forward, still with great hands and uncanny hockey sense. This goal scorer's hockey skills supposedly convert well to the golf game. His first time to Cape Breton, he'll have his brother Matt and uncle Andy to contend with.
Ray Goddard
Home Club: Weston Golf and Country Club
Index: 15.0
Scouting Notes: A last minute addition to the field, Ray doesn't really know what he's getting into. However, he'll fit right in. Having defeated the Lobster Boil host in a Weston Club match a couple of years ago, this lawyer has had an open invitation to join us out east ever since. He enjoys competitive match play golf and a libation or two after the round ...the critical prerequisites for a Lobster Boil invitation.
Morgan Kenty
Home Club: Labatt Fourth Line Hockey
Index: 15.0
Scouting Notes: The Adult Safe Hockey League leading scorer, Morgan does not take any competition lightly. He is expected to be taking these matches seriously as well. Morgan will have done his research and will be ready come game day. Opponents beware.
Adam Lowe
Home Club: Labatt Fourth Line Hockey
Index: 15.0
Scouting Notes: Not unfamiliar with New Scotland, Adam's completion of our tournament in Cape Breton conveniently coincides with his family's arrival to Nova Scotia for their annual summer vacation. Apparently Adam and the Kenty brothers are typically a dead heat after an 18-hole match and all enter the competition with a 15.0 index.
Kirk Lo
Home Club: Bayview Golf and Country Club
Index: 16.4
Scouting Notes: Kirk is a surgeon that brings a surgical precision to his match play. When recently confronted with an opponent playing head games, suggesting he gets nervous down the stretch when its all on the line, Kirk's ice in the veins response was a dead pan "I don't get nervous ...I work with blood every day."
Ryan Hamilton
Home Club: Labatt Fourth Line Hockey
Index: 22.0
Scouting Notes: A fast and fit forward that will certainly have the endurance once the fatigue of 6 rounds has gotten to most others. In preparation for this event, Ryan has been refining his game getting in as many rounds as professional and family life will allow.
Craig Lugsdin
Home Club: Labatt Fourth Line Hockey Recruit
Index: 22.0
Scouting Notes: Recruited by Ryan Hamilton to join the adventure, their handicaps match up closely.
Brian Rawbone
Home Club: Labatt Fourth Line Hockey Recruit
Index: 25.0
Scouting Notes: One of Fourth Line's first liner's Brian's hockey talent have not been applied to the links as much as some others. However, given his quick study and athleticism, the talking heads are expecting his high handicap entry will turn out to be much too high after playing 6 rounds in 4 day. For his Sunday morning Singles opponent ...Advantage Rawbone.
Alex Rivard
Home Club: Labatt Fourth Line Hockey
Index: 25.0
Scouting Notes: A fearless defensemen that never hesitates to sacrifice his body to block a shot. As a courtroom lawyer, he offers the same determined defence for his clients as he does his teammates. His wit at the pub may be more contribution to the weekend than his ability to stripe it down the middle.