The 2024 DGA Season is upon us! The Calabogie Kickoff will once again be the season opener, this year being extended to 27 holes. The format has stayed the same, being a 4-team, 4-man scramble.

Another constant for this year’s event is the team stacking of host Dillon James. For the 3^rd year running, his team enters the tournament as large favourites. An anonymous DGA member who cannot make this year’s event, who happens to be the #1 overall seed, was quoted as saying “If Team 3 does not will I’ll eat bird shit”

A few members of the DGA have reached out to the Board and started a petition to remove James from team making for 2025. If you would like to sign the petition, please click here

The addition of 9 holes will see the DGA take on the Major’s 9 holes at Calabogie for the first time. The Major’s 9 consists of 1-5 of the main course, and an additional 4 secret holes that no one has played yet. The tournament will come down to these final 4 holes, and if the finish is anything like last year, there may be some carnage.

Team 1

Kyle Craig, Ben Milinkovich, Rich Theriault, Berry van Donselaar

This team is putting the Rust vs Rest debate to the test. Outside of Milinkovich, this team has a combined 3 rounds of golf played so far in 2024, with only 1 of those rounds coming in the last month. There should be no sore backs or tired golf swings coming out of this crew, but that may be all the have going for them. The power rankings have this team coming dead last, but as any scramble goes, all it takes is 1 shot.

All 4 members have a tendency of going OB with their tee shots, but all 4 do have some distance as well. If one person finds the fairway on every hole, and with a little luck around the greens, this team may be able to keep up.

 Team 2

Casey Floyd, Cody Willcott, Justin Hanes, Jason Oviedo

As team member Floyd stated, Team 2 “has potential to be the quietest team in DGA history if things aren’t going great” and he could not be more bang on. This team has a lot of potential, but also has the top 3 leaders in the Poopy When Playing Bad power rankings. Another thing this team has to deal with is health. All 3 of Willcott, Hanes, and Oviedo have backs that the average 90 year old wouldn’t want, so getting through 27 holes may be a grind.

This team will need to get birdies early and often if they want to be able to stick around near the end. After 2023, Hanes will be doing anything to avoid a playoff this year so look for him to be the catalyst to a hot start.

This team is missing a bomber off the tee, but may be the 4 most consistent fairway finders. Par 3s may be where this team does their damage.

Team 3

Ryan Raven, Dillon James, Ryan Dillon, Scott Quinn

The clear front runners are not without any drama coming into the weekend. Team Captain and de facto #1 seed for the weekend, has not won a tournament since 2017 (yes 2017). He has been paired with the Tiger of the DGA, Evan Hammond, three times in the span and has still yet to win another tournament. The rest of the squad may have to pick up a bit of slack in that regard as they are all familiar with the winners circle.

This team has it all, the bombers, the consistent tee shot master, the short game wizards, the home course knowledge. The only thing standing between this team and copious amounts of Jameswood Maple Syrup is themselves.

Ryan Raven had this to say when reached out for comment:

Team 4

Matt MacIntyre, Pat Theriault, Brent Daviault, Alex Masson

This team may be the biggest wild card out of the 4. The team has players that have high highs, and low lows, but if all 4 are firing on all cylinders come Saturday watch out. Team 4 is also a team battling some health issues. MacIntyre coming in with a torn wrist, while Theriault comes in with total body soreness could be the nail in the coffin.

Team 4 has a great balance of power and precision off the tee. Daviault and Theriault will come up with some bombs, while MacIntyre and his trusty 3 wood will provide the safe play. Masson makes his return to the DGA after 2 long years, looking to improve on his 2^nd place finish here in 2022. His game is a bit of a mystery at the moment, but has always been able to fill in with all aspects of the game.

Predictions

Team 3:  -7

Team 1: -5

Team 4: -5

Team 2: -4