Jake Puckett
PERSONAL – Jake lives in Discovery Bay with his wife, Heather, son Colton (9), and daughter Morgan (5). 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 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.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED 2024 - As I write this I feel for my friend. Jake did almost everything needed in 2024 to win a Montemar. He played great golf with a massively inflated handicap earned in Scottsdale. 85 in the opener and a final day 80. His random pairings were solid. His scramble team was solid. He even read most of the rules. Where did he miss? Scorecard and pictures. Scorecard I don’t feel for. Turning in a correct scorecard on time in golf is customary and should be expected. The pictues? I feel bad. the man literally sent me the best pictures from the entire tournament. The problem was they weren’t the pictures requested. I can’t bend or change rules but it was a tough break. It didn’t cost him the jacket, but a correct scorecard and pics would have given him his second top 3 finish. His par 3 performances, combined with the scorecard and pictures, cost him the jacket.
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN 2025 – First, Jake needs to get to Reno. He’s up in the air. For a man who’s less than 20 points away from 2nd place in all time Montemar points and the lifetime award, it would be a tragedy if he missed. Once he shows up, and I believe he will, he’ll have no excuses. His opening round was good last year but not good enough to where it would hurt him this year. 13 is still a generous number for the most competitive guy in the field. He learned some things last year and is the type who will come up with the right type of lose your club scramble strategy. If Jake shows up to Reno he’s gotta be in the top five for betting odds to win the entire thing.
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 – 3 (2022 – Sacramento, 2023 - Scottsdale, 2024 - Coeur D’Alene)
MONTEMAR ROUNDS PLAYED – 8 (2022 – Yoche, Darkhorse, 2023 – TPC Scottsdale, TS Piipaash, TS O’odham, 2024 - Circling Raven x 2, Coeur D’Alene Resort Course)
LIFETIME POINT TOTAL – 693.3 (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 - 13
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 ass cooler last year.
