Jake Puckett
PERSONAL – Jake lives in Discovery Bay with his wife, Heather, son Colton (8), and daughter Morgan (3 nearly 4). Jake has done well for himself and is currently the VP of sales for PayZen, a health care patient financing company. Jake has always been a casual golfer but has played quite a bit more the past few years. He’s a great guy and the Montemar is lucky to have him.
TIE TO THE MONTEMAR – I’ve heard the story of how Jake came into this group many times, yet, each time I’ve heard it I’ve been very intoxicated and it seems that many of the exact details have escaped my mind. This is how my mind tells me this story went… Many years ago, about a year before I moved into the house on Montemar, my now pal, Matt Lane, caught wind that some absolute douche bag made his sister cry. Matt told his best friend, Simon Gober, about the story and Matt and Simon – 18 years old or so and full of testosterone – decided it would be appropriate to drive to the East Bay and beat the shit out of this douche. They got to the East Bay, found this guy, and something really strange happened. It started off ugly at first but through the yelling and the fighting and the he said she saids, one of them asked a question, “What’s your favorite Dinosaur?” To which they all replied “Velociraptor!”
Then Simon said, “If you were a chick, who’s the one guy you would want to fuck? “Jon Stamos!” Quickly came out of their mouths.
Then Jake said, “What’s your favorite non-pornographic to masturbate to?” And all three of them said, “Wakeboarding Magazine!”
“Did we just become best friends?” They all said at the same time. “Yup!”
Later that day they were all on the delta wakeboarding together and have been tied to the hip ever sense. Years later a movie was made depicting this very moment. The Montemar got Jake Puckett because of a love triangle, some miscommunication, and the willingness of Matt and Simon to take the time to realize he wasn’t a douche bag after all. He’s actually a great husband, dad, friend, and a perfect guy for the Montemar.
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MONTEMAR – As a member of the Original Oho, Jake has been an important player in getting this tournament off the ground in 2022 and for helping to keep it going strong into year 3.
WHAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN – 2023 - Jake is one of the most competitive humans I’ve ever met and tends to be better than average at most things, including golf. The 2nd place finish at last year’s Montemar left a sour taste in his mouth and he’s been practicing daily ever since. He’s made multiple trips to Scottsdale to test out the courses – check out his Slack photo of him on the 16th at the Stadium course in January. I knew he was extra serious about this year’s classic when he told me he was staying at a house and not Talking Stick in order to stay away from the mischief that may happen if he was staying with his buddies – Sounds like the late-night trip in Nashville is still fresh in his mind. Jakes game will be ready, he picked up lots of quick payment points, he’s got a generous tournament handicap, and a favorable scramble pairing – Noonan’s Piggy Back ride will be a squad to contend with on Saturday. In order for Jake to outlast a field of 40 though he’s going to have to pick up a little luck in the draft. If he gets drafted by a contributor and paired up with/against a twosome that can help him but one he can also beat, Jake just might be the early favorite to take home this year’s Ugly Corduroy Jacket.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED 2023? – Jake walked into the 2023 Montemar Classic as a favorite to win the Jacket, he walked out feeling like a failure, and as the 8th place finisher of the original 8, will be wearing a kilt the first round of the 2024 tournament. The 98 he fired at TPC Scottsdale was probably a lifetime worst and the 85 during championship round wasn’t enough to save him. Normally, a 13th place finish wouldn’t be considered failing. Knowing Jake, he wasn’t happy about it.
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN 2024 – Jake will need to own the shit out of that Kilt on day one at Circling Raven in order to get off to a good start. He needs to stop being such a good family man (construction of the kid’s bedrooms can wait) and start golfing as much as possible. The silver lining to the 98 on day one is that Jake will have one hell of an inflated handicap and should be a favorite to garner massive points in his first day division. He’s invited a ringer in Noonan, and if he pairs with him for the scramble, look out. Jake should be near the top of the leaderboard come Monday, if he catches a little luck in the draft this could be the year he takes home the jacket.
ODDS TO WIN – 7-1
FUN FACT – Jake’s younger brother, Austin Puckett, was once a first round pick by the Kansas City Royals. He played in the Mariners organization (AA and AAA) last season and I believe he’s currently a free agent.
MONTEMARS PLAYED – 2 (2022 – SACRAMENTO, 2023 - Scottsdale)
MONTEMAR ROUNDS PLAYED – 5 (2022 – YOCHE, DARKHORSE/ 2023 – TPC Stadium, TS Piipaash, TS O’odham)
LIFETIME POINT TOTAL – 378.5 (6th)
JACKETS WON – 0
TOP 3 FINISHES – 1 (2ND IN 2022)
TOP 5 FINISHES – 1 (2ND IN 2022)
TOP 10 FINISHES – 1 (2ND IN 2022)
RECORDS – 1 (Randomized Best Ball Low Round, 2023, O’odham – Addison, Pucket, Youngblood, Cox)
TOURNAMENT HANDICAP - 27
INVITED BY – ORIGINAL OCHO
PLAYERS INVITED – 1 (Brendan Noonan – 24, Evan Powell - 24)
PRIZES DONATED – None so far but the man always comes through. Donated a bad as cooler last year.
