A look at the competition from our analysts at LCSN (Losers Club Sports Network):

 Les Potter Copson: A charged up “BD” Copson has come out early and stated he “will win it all this year.”  Our LCSN analysts really don’t think BD’s back is going to stand up to 18 holes/8 beers.  At a tournament in early January, hecklers were yelling from the gallery “you’re over the hill BD” and “you’re worse on the course than weathermen can predict the weather.”  Yet in the odds in Vegas, BD still ranks as the top contender to take the championship away from MM and Esta.  We think his chipping skills will make the difference, as other members on the tour have begun to call him “Chipper”.

 Constantino Rocca: Our analysts are expecting Roxie to have a break out year on the greenery.  We’re looking for an Esta-type putting tournament, which could carry his team to the finals.  Vegas odds are pointing to an All-Star Home Improvement team of BZ and Roxie to make a run at the championship.  Our analysts like to look for sleepers who won’t have the pressure to win the championship, as beers and the pressure just don’t mix, and this year’s sleeper pick is Constantino himself.

 Larry “the legend” Ligenza: Seeking to be the first player to hold multiple titles, our analysts have put some heavy expectations on LL.  We’ve been watching LL and we think he is on the verge of breaking out of his recent funk.  It all comes down to that first tee shot: if its in the fairway, we’re predicting the championship for LL, if he shanks it out of play, we see LL ducking out in the first round for the 2^nd consecutive year.  On or off, that’s just the type of year LL is having.

 BZer Zielinski: The big question this year is whether the BZer has gone soft or not.  Once known for late-night card games, lagers, action, and sports, BZer now enjoys cats, home improvements and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.  After a strong showing in his rookie season, we’ll be watching to see if his head is in the game from the get-go.

 Twig Boliski: We’re skeptical how far TD will make it in the tournament.  Another year and another big event that will be on TD’s mind, kid #2 is on the way (marriage for T1, kid#1 for TII).  Our analysts just don’t know if TD has the mental game to bring home the championship with so much on his mind.  The life of a tour golfer is demanding, and these types of commitments can distract a player and take away from his preparation.  BZ (married), Rock and Zip (live with their girls), and BD (until recently was living with his girl) have yet to win the championship.  THIS IS NO COINCIDENCE!

 Zip Zielinski: Three’s a charm????  We’re hoping for this kid who is still searching for his first major title.   A poor showing this year and the kid will have the label of being a “loser” (which none of us have ever been labeled before right?).  I have to say all the pressure will be on the Zipper to pull out a championship title.  Anything less will just be a MAJOR disappointment.  We wish the little rabbit good luck.

 Miker Montross: Mr. Roboto to Smooth Operater.  After claiming the prize, MM wasn’t satisfied and went out and totally revamped his swing.  Although MM pulled home the trophy last year, our analysts see a tremendous amount of pressure on this kid.  In the underdog role last year, his team pulled out an OT victory against the defending champs, and then took out the first double-A team in the finals.  But this year, MM comes in as the favorite, a totally different story.  Our prediction is the pressure to repeat will turn out to be too much, and MM/Esta will be knocked out in the finals.

Esta Carrier: This guy still holds his prima-donna status.  His latest comment at a recent press conference to unveil the recent BMW 5-series was, “a low score in golf begins with a good putter, and that is my game”, referring to his big putts in TII, single-handedly taking responsibility for the championship.   Our analysts feel this golfing range pro just can’t hit the big shots when trees line the fairways, and Big Pop will return to his T1 putting form.  Like Carrier, we like to go with the stats, and therefore are predicting the champions to duck out in the finals, as a repeat champion is just too early in the history of this tournament.

Bubba Barbarini: This lucky lefty brings a sense of fear to the competition.  His credentials are Tiger-esque.  He’s won the 2000 Football pool, the 2001 NCAA pool, and always seems to be a winner in the big caaaad games.  The current Vegas odds (listed below) have seen Bubba quickly become one of the top favorites, but our analysts question how important Bubba’s psychological advantage will be once the lagers start flowing.  We’re predicting Bubba’s team to jump out early on its opponent in the first round, hang on at the end and faulter in the finals.  As we saw last year, the rookie BZer Zielinski, fell apart in the finals because he was unprepared for the effects of the 4 beers on the front nine.  We’re predicting Bubba’s lack of experience will play a major role in his downfall in the finals.