2008 PDGA Player of the Year

[Dan Michler]

Its super cold and I'm bored and I really don't feel like working...so I broke down the 2008 PDGA Player of the Year race and ranked them as I saw fit.  To me the most important factors are A) Consistency    Performance at Worlds and USDGC  C)  Performance at big events with alot of the other top dogs, primarily the number of WINS, cuz its all about winning!  D)  Number of events played and total cash won

I'm giving the award to Feldberg because of his Worlds win and unmatched consistency throughout the year.  He was almost always in the top 3.  He ventured outside the top 5 just 3 times, once with a DNF caused by injury and once in the event following that injury.  He also won Japan and the Memorial which gives him 3 bigtime wins by my judgement.

Doss ranks just slightly ahead of Jenkins on my list because he performed better than anybody at the 2 biggest events; Worlds and USDGC with a 1st and a 2nd.  $26k in just 13 events is very impressive.  Also Doss' dominating win in the Golden State Classic with alot of the other big guns in attendance was impressive.  Jenkins had a big year as well with 26 events played.  He won 4 of the bigger Tour events attended by top pros which was more than any other player.  "Just" 15th at Worlds and a few 'bad' performances throughout the year slide him back to #3 in my power rankings.  McCabe was the road warrior this year with 32 events, finishing in the top 5 an amazing 28 times.  Also a win at the Players Cup capped off his impressive year in which he had 15 total wins.  Barry is not the dominating player he once was, but still showed when he puts it together he can be the best player in the world any given weekend.  He had 3 wins against loaded fields which made for an impressive year by most standards.  He seemed to peak early though with a win in Las Vegas and 2nd at the Memorial.  His final round collapse at USDGC kept him from potentially capping off the year and making a big statement.  He needs to do more at Worlds and USDGC if he's going to be considered along side with Feldberg, Doss, and Jenkins.  Notably not making my power rankings is Kenny Climo, he really had no big wins and his only impressive performance against the big guns was a 2nd place at USDGC.  Maybe its time for Masters?

Please feel free to debate my list.  I will then feel free to tell you why you are wrong.

Player of the Year

1. David Feldberg  24 events  $36k

1st Memorial
1st Japan
12th Players Cup

1st Worlds
3rd USDGC

Top 5 in 21/24 events.....88%  (1 DNF due to injury)

3 big time wins and consistently Top 3 all year.


2. Nate Doss   13 events  $26k

4th Memorial
6th Japan
1st Golden State
7th Players Cup

2nd Worlds
1st USDGC

Top 5 in 9/13 events....69%

Best performances in the 2 biggest events.  2 big wins.

3. Avery Jenkins   26 events  $31k

12th Memorial
1st Tulsa
1st Des Moines
3rd Japan
1st Vibram
1st VPO
5th Players Cup

15th Worlds
2nd USDGC

Top 5 in 19/26 events...73%

4 big time wins



4. Eric McCabe  32 events   $28k

3rd Memorial
1st Players Cup

8th Worlds
24th USDGC

Top 5 in 28/32 events....88%

1 big win.  15 wins total.  Great consistency with a ton of events played.


5. Barry Schultz   23 events   $21k

1st Las Vegas
2nd Memorial
1st Bowling Green
1st Minnesota
7th Players Cup

6th Worlds
20th USDGC

Top 5 in 18/23.....78%

3 big wins.


6. Steve Rico   20 events      $15k

7th Memorial
1st Masters Cup
1st Kansas City

8th Worlds
7th USDGC

Top 5 in 17/20....85%

2 big wins.  Only 3 outside Top 5 were 3 of the biggest events.

[Dan Michler]

I also broke down the Women's side, but it was much easier.  There are 3 players that are truly on another level from the rest at this point.  Their record against one another is the true statement on who had the best year.  Its Val all the way.  She dominates like no other woman at this point in time.  I'm giving Angela the #2 spot because she was more competitive against Val than Des was, and also becaue Angela took down USWDGC while Des did not participate.

Women's POY

1. Val Jenkins    24 events   $16k

Record vs. Tschiggrie
5-2

Record vs. Des Reading
6-1

1st Worlds
2nd USWDGC


2. Angela Tschiggfrie   17 events   $8k

Record vs. Val Jenkins in 2008
2-5

Record vs. Des Reading in 2008
3-4

1st USWDGC
2nd Worlds




3. Des Reading   23 events  $10k

Record vs. Tschiggfrie
4-3

Record vs. Val
1-6

2nd Worlds
DNP USWDGC