Where Are They Now?

For 9 years (excluding the 2006 Car Trouble Cup) nobody battled harder in The Kiva Cup than @jammyerwin (CCPOTY)

CCPOTY always enjoyed the view from Room 305. A memorial tribute will be held  in his honor on the balcony at 6 pm on 11/9/11. 

A visit to the Secret Club at Bryant-Denny

The Co-Cola Player of the Year (CCPOTY) in a rare non-passing play.

Kiva Cup legend R. Dalton Huguley goes through his meticulous pre-shot routine.

"Uncle" Joe O'Neal, far right, was a much beloved member of the 2009 Kiva Cup champions (pictured)

KC (Great) awaits the ferry with his good friend @europeancaptain

Josh Watkins, Esq., Member of the victorious 2007 European Team, with an undefeated 3-0-1 match record.

The annual Kiva Cup is a time for excitement and optimism, but realistically, some of the players aren’t going to pan out long term. What happens to all of the old former players, though? They don’t just disappear, and many of them are far more successful off the course than they ever were in Kiva Cup play. In honor of the upcoming 2011 Kiva Cup, here’s the scoop on how some of your favorite former Kiva Cuppers are keeping busy these days:

1. James L. "Jammy" Erwin, aka CCPOTY, @jammyerwin

Erwin's "net 0" on #3 in the '10 Cup

Erwin, the former Tarrant HS quarterback, was a member of the inaugural Kiva Cup in 2003 and participated on Team USA faithfully through 2010, with the lone exception being 2006 when the oil light in his Honda came on. Jammy was much beloved by all Cup participants, but especially by Captain J. Hartsell and Vice-Captain M. Skiba of Team USA, who leaned heavily on Jammy for advice and support.  Jammy was Captain Hartsell's go-to match partner for the last 9 years and was known for his ability to "coach" the Captain through tough stretches of a match. Jammy was also greatly valued for his sense of humor and spot-on David Housel impersonation. He made the stunning decision in early 2011 to retire from Kiva Cup play. While the shock waves are still being felt on Team USA, the celebrations continue at Team Europe headquarters, as they had no answer for Erwin in the past 2 Cups. 

Today Jammy lives quietly in the Hewitt-Trussville community with his family.  He is active in the neighborhood association, coaches youth baseball and follows the Alabama Crimson Tide.  When asked if he would miss the upcoming Kiva Cup, he replied simply, "No, not really."


2. R. Dalton Huguley
Huguley, a participant in the first 5 Kiva Cups, was, by all reasonable accounts, Captain Brian W. Burnett's "rabbit's foot." Known for his deliberate and meticulous pre-shot routine, as well has his keen sense of perception regarding whatever ongoing match he was in, Huguley disappeared from Cup play following the 2007 European victory. While the exact reason for his departure is lost in the mists of time, rumor has it that he simply forgot the Cup was to be played that year and never returned. Following his departure, Europe has dropped 2 of the last 3 Cups. 

At press time, Dalton is a successful businessman in suburban Atlanta and runs his neighborhood Tennis Association. It is said that he has not picked up a golf club in over 4 years. 

3. Uncle Joe O'Neal
Has there ever been a more popular "one and done" Cupper than "Uncle" Joe O'Neal? With his trademark phrase "HOLLER!" and quick wit, he was welcomed with open arms to join Team USA in 2009, and helped them break a 6 year victory drought.  Despite his success and popularity, Uncle has never been heard from again following his triumphant debut.


Today, Joe lives in the Birmingham area, where he runs a successful medical supply business and enjoys college football. When contacted for comment on this story, he replied, "What's the Kiva Cup?"

4. KC (Great)
KC Great Keith Crumpton came out of a 3 year retirement from golf to join Team USA in 2007, when the Cup rosters were expanded to 6 players. He also participated in 2008. Known for his deadly accurate ball striking, he was the Team USA member that "nobody wanted to face." Soon growing bored with the relatively low stakes played for in the Kiva Cup, he left Team USA in early 2009. 


Currently, Great resides in Hewitt-Trussville with his family, where he enjoys fishing and NASCAR racing.

5. Josh Watkins, Esq.

Watkinson's Tree

Josh Watkins joined Team Europe the same year as KCGreat in 2007, getting the call out at Shoal from Captain Burnett to join the team. Watkins ran rampant over Team USA that year, going 3-0-1 in his lone Cup appearance, including a net 63 in the Friday morning Best Ball match, to this day still the lowest net score posted in Cup history. After a birdie on #2, the historic round included a back handed / left handed chip in for birdie from behind the tree on #3, (now known as Watkinson's Tree) followed by a conceded tap-in eagle putt on #4. He was 4 under thru 4 holes and never looked back.

Today, Watkins is a successful Attorney (at Law) in the Birmingham area and runs The Angel Factory.