TGGA Members
Mark Macy (President)
Mark Macy also known as The President, El Presidente, The Leader, Big Time, Boss Man. He is large and in charge. TGGA was his brain child and he rules it with authority and with an iron fist. His childhood was typical, summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring they'd make meat helmets. When he was insolent he was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds, pretty standard really. At the age of 12 he received his first scribe. At the age of fourteen, a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved his testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum, it's breathtaking, He suggests you try it.
His golf skills are not of the same caliber as his equipment or his golf course fashions. He aims to intimidate by looking pro, but the intimidation is often thwarted by the lack of skills demonstrated on the first tee.
Mark is a 3-time captain of the winning team, and a 4-time team champion overall. Since 2010, he has a record of 5-11-2 in team competition, and 3-3-0 in Singles play.
Equipment:
Standard set including the Play Club, Brassie, wooden cleek, spoon and baffie. Of course your standard Niblick and a Jigger for around the greens. His putting cleek was forged from a piece of Excalibur’s sword. Being old school he continues the tradition of stuffing his own branded featherie golf ball but rather than the standard goose feathers he prefers feathers from the extinct Dodo bird hailing from the Island of Mauritius.
David Cumming (Vice-President, Secretary, Historian)
David has been there since the inception in Lake Tahoe, and has only missed 1 trip of 19, due to his son being born on the day of departure. He and Mark are the main planners of the trips, and he serves to reign in Mr. Big Time's lofty tastes. He also serves as Secretary and keeper of records. David grew up in Austin, then spent 15 years in Dallas at SMU and after, but now resides back in Austin. He's also a legend in the TGGA fantasy football league, winning 8 titles in the 17 year history there. No one knows more movie quotes or worthless sports trivia than David, go ahead, test him.
He is a 2-time individual champion, an 8-time team champion (of 13 possible team titles), a 2-time captain of the winning team, and also a 2-time BOOB. Since 2010, he has a record of 9-6-3 in team competition, and 2-4-0 in Singles play.
Equipment:
Titleist TS2 9.5degree Driver with Aldila stiff shaft, Titleist 818 H1 19degree Hyb, Titleist 718 AP3 Irons (4-GW) with TrueTemper AMT S300 Black shafts, Cleveland RTX-4 54 degree Sand Wedge, Cleveland RTX-4 60 degree Lob Wedge, Titleist Scotty Cameron Studio Stainless Newport 1.5 Putter w/ Superstroke grip, Titleist ProV1X golf balls, Titleist carry golf bag, Visor (preferred), FootJoy glove, Adidas 360 shoes
Ashley Lehman (Founder, RIP)
Ashley was a part of the first TGGA trip in 1998, in Lake Tahoe with Mark Macy and David Cumming. This was the inception of the TGGA. He also attended the trip in 1999 in Myrtle Beach. Sadly, we lost Ashley shortly after that in a tragic hunting accident. Ashley will always be remembered as a great friend, and a decent golfer.
Michael Pinion (Social Chair)
Michael is as a founding member of the Texas Golf & Gambling Association, he has seen our association change with time, ebb and flow so to speak. Heck, he remembers long ago when we drove to South Carolina and stayed at the Southern Aire, my how times have changed since then using this internet thingy and flying in jet airplanes to courses. He is also one of only 2 members to win the individual title, the BOOB title, and serve as the winning team captain, Cumming being the other. Michael commands very important roles in the association; President of our Houston Chapter, Commissioner of the Inaugural Season for the TGGA's first spin-off - Fantasy Football, and consultant to each of the three branches of internal government of the TGGA: trip research & planning, recruiting, building and defining TGGA.
While known for ridiculous pen marks on his balls, he is also known as the undisputed long drive champion of TGGA. Michael has a swing that defies most accepted convention, that will one day end in a wrenched back. Michael has since perfected his flawed swing by no longer falling down. Unlike most of the lemmings in this great Association, he has not jumped on the "Scotty Cameron" bandwagon that seems to have swept through the TGGA. While this trend is expensive, it seems to have helped those who participated by shaving off exactly ZERO strokes off their games, but damn they look cool. Michael likes fast cars and fast women, that's why the guys in his car club call him "Cruiser."
Michael is a 4-time individual champion, a 2-time captain of the winning team, and a 6-time team champion overall. Since 2010, he has a record of 10-7-1 in team competition, and 4-2-0 in Singles play.
Equipment: Driver: Ping Anser 10.5, Driving Iron: Callaway X Utility Prototype 18, Irons: Honma 3-10, Wedges: Titleist Vokey 50, 54 and 58, Putter: TaylorMade OS CB Spider 36", Bag: Ping Hoofer, Divot Repair Tool: Metal, with two prongs, not one of those cheap plastic one-prong tools
Jason Pennington (Treasurer)
Born and raised in Houston, Texas Jason has been an avid golfer since the age of 10. Jason's many hobbies include wrestling, drinking wine, and cleaning after dirty roommates. Jason is also known for his dry sense of humor and his ability to write funny player profiles.
Jason has been the "planner guy" of the TGGA, planning trips to Tucson and Lufkin over the past year. As the reigning individual champion of the Lufkin Fall Classic Jason has risen to the top of the TGGA in only a brief time. Jason would like to thank the TGGA for making his life exciting again and realizing his dream of being a champion.
Jason is a 6-time individual champion, and a 6-time team champion overall. Since 2010, he has a record of 12-5-1 in team competition, and 5-0-1 in Singles play.
Equipment:
Marcus McCue
Marcus, a natural athelete, is a golfer still dealing with the realities of the game after only three years experience. The fact that most of his physical assets (strength, quickness, agility, etc.) which help him in other sports, provide no advantage in golf, is the source of much discomfort for him. This reality, along with his competitiveness, creates many a mind game for him while playing with friends who are more skilled at golf, due to years of experience, despite the lack of such tuned physical attributes. Essentially, Marcus is a 15-handicapper, hoping and wishing he was a single-digit handicapper, but playing much more like a 20-handicapper lately due to lack of practice.
As far a gambling is concerned, Marcus generally relies on luck more than skill ... and often finds it easier to counsel others in winning techniques, than actually use these techniques to win himself.
Marcus is a 5-time team champion, and also holds 1 career BOOB title. Since 2010, he has a record of 8-5-2 in team competition, and 2-3-0 in Singles play.
Equipment:
Scott Bankler (Legal Counsel)
Scott Bankler, TGGA'S Legal Eagle, has a long sorted history in the organization. From the beginning his "handicap" has been a point of controversy because nobody is quite sure if the handicap system actually goes that high. You want this man on your team when facing a 180 yard, dog-leg right, par four because he has mastered the WAF (weak ass fade) that will put it tight every time.
Scott is a 6-time team champion, and also holds 1 career BOOB title. Since 2010, he has a record of 8-7-3 in team competition, and 3-3-0 in Singles play.
Equipment:
Matt Didyk (RIP)
Matt joined the TGGA in 2006 at Lufkin, invited by Mark Macy. He proceeded to win the BOOB prize in his very first trip. He returned in 2009 to attend the Castle Pines trip with 3 others and was in the lead for another BOOB trophy until Cumming collapsed and stole it away. Matt's last trip was in 2010 at Pinehurst, where he reclaimed the BOOB trophy. Matt surprisingly passed away shortly after that trip. Matt will always be remembered as a great friend, a competitor, and a decent golfer. The TGGA BOOB trophy is now memorialized in his honor, as the Matt Didyk trophy.
David Giles
David is a 4-time team champion, holds 1 individual title, and also 1 BOOB title. Since 2010, he has a record of 6-7-1 in team competition, and 3-2-0 in Singles play.
Equipment:
David has not played much golf lately. In a recent charity scramble, he realized his 5 iron and pitching wedge are missing and he has no idea where they are.
Jason Hoelscher (Legal Counsel)
Jason has been on 5 trips, and I think it's safe to say it's not a coincidence that he has been a part of the winning team ALL 5 times, never losing a team match. In addition, he has captained 4 teams, and ALL won championships. Since 2010, he has a record of 7-0-3 in team competition, and 0-3-1 in Singles play.
Equipment:
Ryan DeWitt
Ryan has been on 5 trips, with 1 team title. He also holds 1 BOOB title, from 2015. Since 2010, he has a record of 3-2-3 in team competition, and 2-1-0 in Singles play.
Equipment:
Alex Barre
Alex has been on 4 trips, winning his first team title in 2021. Since 2010, he has a record of 2-6-0 in team competition, and an undefeated 3-0-0 in Singles play.
Equipment:
Sean DeWitt
Sean has been on 5 trips, with 4 team title wins. Since 2010, he has a record of 5-2-1 in team competition, and 0-2-1 in Singles play.
Equipment:
Mark Adame
Mark has been on 4 trips, coming home with team victories each time. Since 2010, he has a record of 4-1-0 in team competition, and 0-1-1 in Singles play.
Equipment:
TJ Henderson
TJ has been on 3 trips, but has yet to come home with a team victory. Since 2010, he has a record of 1-1-3 in team competition, and 1-1-0 in Singles play.
Equipment:
Brian Wages
Brian has been on 3 trips, but has yet to come home with a team title. Since 2010, he has a record of 3-6-0 in team competition, and 2-1-0 in Singles play.
Equipment:
Jeff Ringwald
2017 was Jeff's first trip with TGGA, and he hosted the group at his Chechessee club in 2021. He wasn't able to notch a team victory, but hopes to have another chance soon. He did take home the individual title in 2019 at the Greenbrier though.
Equipment:
Jimmy Boller
Jimmy has been on 2 trips, in 2019 at the Greenbrier and 2021 at Chechessee. He came away with the team victory both times, and with the individual title in 2021.
Equipment:
Kevin DeWitt
Kevin is the 3rd brother of the DeWitt family to join a TGGA trip in 2019, although it resulted in both a team loss and a B00B trophy in his very first adventure. He backed that up in 2021 with a 2nd B00B trophy, so he's 2 for 2 on TGGA trips. Perhaps that record will improve in 2023...
Equipment:
Tyler Garrett
While his debut in 2019 didn't result in a team win, his play was certainly spectacular, as this Aggie golf alum wowed with his long drives and short game.
Equipment:
Alan Henry
Alan hails from Lakewood in Dallas, and made his debut in 2021 at Chechessee. He didn't snag a team win but we hope to see him again soon.
Equipment:
Kai Stratmann
2019 at the Greenbrier was Kai's first TGGA trip. His match vs. David Cumming came down to the wire, as David defeated him on the last hole to win the title for team Hoelscher.
Equipment:
Paul Edmonds
Paul recently joined the TGGA, as 2017 was his first trip. He wasn't able to notch a team victory, but hopes to have another chance soon.
Equipment:
Kyle Charles
Kyle recently joined the TGGA, as 2017 was his first trip. He was a part of the winning Hoelscher team that year, but he was also 3rd in points as a key contributor.
Equipment:
Jeff Schar
Jeff joins an illustrious group, winning the BOOB in his first TGGA trip. He was also part of the losing Ryan DeWitt squad. Hopefully he can make the next trip and get that monkey off his back.
Equipment:
Jeff Stubbs
Jeff is a recent addition to the TGGA roster, notching his first trip in 2015 to Bay Hill and Streamsong. He wasn't part of the winning team but hopes to join again soon.
Equipment:
Nathan Keas
Nathan recently joined the TGGA, as 2017 was his first trip. He was a part of the winning Hoelscher team that year.
Equipment:
Steve DiPasquale
Steve has been a part of 2 TGGA trips, most recently in 2012 to Erin Hills, Kohler and the Chicago Ryder Cup. He was a part of the winning Pinion team that trip.
Jason Stabenow
Jason attended 1 trip, in 2012 to Erin Hills, Kohler and the Chicago Ryder Cup.
Chris Boyd
His name is Chris Boyd, and he hails from west Texas. He likes to play golf in tennis shoes and hear about it from the other members of his foursome. Boyd likes windy conditions and can sometimes use it to his advantage because that's how he learned to play the game. He has even been known to wear pants in 110 degree desert heat, dry heat, that is. He is also famous for his 50-cent tips, and his notorious splitting of checks down to the penny. Boyd's equipment also has a storied past. The clubs he uses, Fox Bats, were won in a raffle for $1 in 1985. Recently, he discarded the "wooden woods" by purchasing the Precision Made "Bulge" driver in 1998. It can be used from the tee or in the fairway. Chris always takes The Bulge, regardless of the layout of the course. When not in shoes and pants on desert golf courses, he can usually be found asking Macy (The Big Eggplant) about his duck hook. Macy usually tells him what comes to mind after spitting in his Diet Coke can and saying, "Boyd... I'm 'bout to DUCK HOOK your…
Boyd has been on 3 TGGA trips, the most recent in 2006. He doesn't have any individual or BOOB titles in his trophy case, but was part of the winning team on 2 of his 3 TGGA adventures.
Nick Dellosso
Bastard child of the TGGA, the only member residing outside of the state of Texas, not attending SMU, and not a KA. Currently living in Boston, MA begging UT for re-admittance to a state with a summer longer than 3 months, and where there is no such thing as a golf "season."
Nick was a member of 3 TGA trips, the last being in 2004. 2 of those counted for individual and BOOB titles, and he went 2 for 2 on the BOOB trophy. A lasting legacy...
Career highlights:
-- Finished dead last in inaugural TGGA tournament in Tucson
-- Kicked ass in cards the following night and was never paid
-- Beat out Pinion in final week of Fantasy Football to avoid repeat performance of Tucson
Eric Christiansen
Commonly known as 3-0...
Eric has been on 1 trip, in 2013 to San Antonio. He was part of the losing Macy team, but didn't garner the individual title or the BOOB title.
Equipment:
Dan Blum
As a TGGA newcomer, Dan arrived on the scene to prove that he boasted more than just a killer hairdo. After walking away with both the TGGA Individual and Team Championship trophies in Dallas, his hair looked just as smooth and tight on the 91st green as it did on the first teebox. While many golfers rely on $500 drivers, Scotty Cameron putters and ProV1 balls, the secret to Dan's game is Nioxin shampoo and American Crew texture cream. Dan did tend to carry a slight odor with him as he refused to change his lucky socks all weekend after shooting consecutive 76's the first day.
Current and future TGGA members will take solace in the fact that Dan, currently a Texan, is moving to Manhattan to become a pseudo-intellectual alongside his Pakistani NYU MBA buddies. It is there that his golf game and friendly demeanor will quickly diminish, making him a solid future candidate for the coveted "boob" prize and a group kick in the groin.
Dan has been on 1 trip, back in 2001, and is the only current or former member to have a perfect record, 1 trip, 1 individual title, and 1 team title.