RESULTS from Round One

Chaos, Clutch Shots, and a Trophy: Round One of the 2025 BJG FedUp Cup

After the smoke cleared from the BJG Championship, the brackets were set: eight golfers, one trophy, and the chase for FedUp Cup glory. This year’s first round — The Northern Quilted Paper Championship at Ledges — promised drama.

On paper, the matchups looked fantastic:

• Joe (1) vs Stephen (8)

• James (2) vs Joe T (7)

• Rey (3) vs Iron Mike (6)

• EJ (4) vs JT (5)

With a crisp course and perfect late summer skies, it was shaping up to be one of our best opening rounds yet. But before a single ball was struck… chaos struck first.

Scratched Before Sunrise

Last year, we started with eight golfers and somehow ended up with only three. This year, I was hoping the golf gods would be kinder.

Then the texts started early on Sunday.

• 5:57 AM — Stephen bowed out, giving Joe a free walk to the second round. Not totally shocking, but still disappointing.          

• 6:01 AM — Joe V announced he wouldn’t make it either. (He wasn’t in the round one bracket anyway, but now we were down a golfer and still have 3 tee times.)

• 7:16 AM — Iron Mike texted that he was sick. Rey would advance without swinging a club.

By the time we checked in at Ledges, the original three tee times shrank to two. The gates had opened, and suddenly, half the bracket was already decided.

Front Nine Battles

Despite the rocky start, those who made it teed off under beautiful skies and on a course in great condition.

Match One

• Joe – 35

• Stephen – DNP

With Stephen sidelined, Joe cruised through, swinging easily and saving energy for later rounds.

Match Two

• James – 40

• Joe T – 42

James edged ahead with a two-stroke lead at the turn. But Joe T has been here before, and James looked a little tired.

Match Three

• Rey – 35

• Iron Mike – DNP

This was the match-up I was looking forward to, but Rey happily took the uncontested win.

Match Four

• EJ – 34

• JT – 38

EJ, known for running out of gas after nine holes, surprised everyone by playing smart golf — ditching the driver for a steady new 7-wood. He built a four-stroke cushion heading into the back.

Back Nine Drama

Match One

• Joe – 37 (48)

• Stephen – DNP

Joe coasted into the next round, no surprises here.

Match Two

• James – 42 (50)

• Joe T – 39 (47)

This one had fireworks. James stumbled hard on 13 and 14, handing Joe T a four-stroke lead. A late rally on 16 gave James some hope, but Joe T slammed the door shut on 18, completing the comeback.

Match Three

• Rey – 35 (45)

• Iron Mike – DNP

Rey sharpened his game with a casual 70, looking dangerous for the next round.

Match Four

• EJ – 33 (49)

• JT – 38 (46)

This was EJ’s day. He lit up the back nine, shooting his best round of the year — a sparkling 67. JT played solid but simply ran into a buzzsaw.

Final Scores

• Joe def. Stephen – 72 (94) vs DNP

• Joe T def. James – 78 (100) vs 82 (97)

• Rey def. Iron Mike – 70 (90)vs DNP

• EJ def. JT – 67 (98) vs 76 (91)

EJ not only grabbed the win but also the Round One Trophy — and with it, the promise of a major handicap drop in his future.

Looking Ahead

Advancing to the Second Round at Southampton Country Club on September 7th, 2025:

• Joe, Joe T, Rey, and EJ

• First Round Bye: Rachelle, Adam, Magic Mike, and Alex

The top three from Southampton will secure their spot in the FedUp Cup Finals.

Meanwhile, the fallen — James, JT, Stephen, and Iron Mike — will join Rob, Eric, Matt, and Joe V in the consolation event: Legends of Tomorrow / Losers of Today. One will earn redemption and claim the last spot in the Finals.

Commissioner’s Closing Words

Ledges gave us sunshine, surprises, and a trophy performance from EJ. For some, it was heartbreak before breakfast. For others, it was the start of something bigger.

THE FEDDUP CUP CONTINUES: Next stop - Southampton.

Respectfully,

Broke Joe

Commissioner