CLINT CRUMP LEAVES MGM TOUR
Colorado Move Obligates The 20-Year Veteran To Retire
It is fitting that Clint Crump’s final Tour appearance will have been the Hooters Championship. Yes, he won the event to go out a winner, but the tournament has significance in that it was where he recorded the first victory of his career back on August 9, 2003. The Hooters victories bookend a 20-year career on the MGM Tour. A charter member, Crump was part of the “Original 8” that took to Los Feliz Par-3 on June 1, 2003 for the Dinty Moore Challenge, setting the MGM Tour on its course of existence (he even pulled off a stunning upset by defeating Armen Grigorian in the 1st round).
The 53 year old Crump – who made the yellow golf ball his signature – has seen the highs and lows of the Tour (at times a theatre of the absurd); the controversies (oh so many); the expansion and dwindling number of members; witnessed and contributed amazing shots (twice he holed out to make eagle for his Devil Ball teams). As a charter Tour member he was conspicuously absent, the only golfer to miss the Tour’s 10 year anniversary tournament in Las Vegas, but was part of the Tour’s 100th tournament in 2014 and the 2011 (in)famous “monsoon” edition of the Hooters Championship.
The 3-Peat
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In 2004, the MGM Tour introduced the Jonah Invitational (later renamed the Charly Classic), a tournament with an almost comical format where the golfers “earned” their handicap via a round of miniature golf. Crump would win the inaugural edition and successfully defend his title not once, but twice to become the first golfer ever to 3-peat. The miniature golf portion was something Crump took seriously and devoted himself to with practice rounds.
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Mr. Modelo
Integrity was a signature trait of Crump’s game (the 2016 Masters playoff notwithstanding). He practiced it and demanded it of others, but succumbed under that unrealistic expectation. At the 2010 Masters Qualifier, after enduring years of heartache, bad luck, and the infamous “John Frost ruling” in 2009, Crump took matters into his own hands, choosing to “dope” for the first time in his career.
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“I believe so. I’m gonna follow in his footsteps. He seems to play well falling down drunk, so what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”
-An unapologetic Clint Crump when asked if he was resorting to doping like John Frost whose methods proved successful.
“It is sad to see someone like this go down in flames. It’s actually going to be comical. I can’t wait to see [what happens].”
–Walter Vargas on seeing Clint Crump succumb to the pressures of the Qualifier by doping
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“I think my name is going to be synonymous with Modelo from now on. Yea, I gotta give it up to Modelo.”
-Clint Crump, who doped with a 24oz. can of Modelo, on shooting a career best at the Qualifier and breaking 40 for the first time
The Close Ones
Crump’s solid career – top 5 in all time wins – was marked, albeit infrequently, by some agonizing moments. In 2005 he finished 2nd in the Tour Championship, by a single stroke, ending his bid for Player of the Year in which he finished runner up by a mere 2.5 points. He would only finish ranked as high as 3rd the rest of his career. In the 2008 Survivor Challenge, he lost in a double-playoff on the final hole. At the 2018 Masters he whiffed on his initial tee shot on the 3rd hole, costing him a stroke and perhaps a chance for a 2nd Masters title. The 2020 Tour Championship saw him lose a sudden death playoff.
(In)famous Run-Ins
In the 2007 Hooters Championship, Crump and partner P-Jay Fidler were assessed a 3-pt penalty for hitting out of turn. Though the indiscretion was a gimme-putt, John Mann wasn’t about to let the miscue pass after having been assessed a penalty for hitting his tee shot out of turn the year before. Crump was fuming.
It was the flag pull of all flag pulls when Doug Vargas infuriated Crump at the 2012 Match Play Invitational…
“This is vengeance.”
-Clint Crump set to play Walter Vargas, determined to take out the Vargas family after feeling disrespected by Doug Vargas in their quarterfinal match
“It still doesn’t change the fact that the Tour is forever tainted with [Doug’s] actions.”
-Clint Crump on his semi-final loss to Walter Vargas.
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“Once again the commissioner shows that rules are only enforced for other people, and certain people, you know, get away with stuff. The commissioner is kinda gutless.”
-Crump at the 2014 Manhattan Beach Championship
Charter Member Forever
There from the beginning, Clint Crump probably never imagined his time on the MGM Tour would last 2 decades. If he had to leave, one supposes there would be no better time than the Tour’s 20th anniversary season. Winning his final tournament, which capped off the first 3-peat in Hooters history, made for a terrific and enviable career coda.
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CRUMP BY THE NUMBERS
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20 – years spent on the MGM Tour
118 – tournaments played
13 – wins
5 – ranked on the all-time wins list
2 – wins in a major
15 – wins in match play
9 – consecutive 1st round victories in the Match Play Invt’l
1 – appearance in the Match Play finals
5 – Final Four appearances in Match Play
4 – ranked in career match play victories
23.50 – birdie pool money earned
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Other achievements: Was named Tour Rookie of the Year in its inaugural season (2003)… Shares the record (Gerry Vaughan) for most Charly Classic victories… Is one of only 4 Tour members to 3-peat in a tournament, but is the only golfer to do it in 2 different tournaments… The 2017 Survivor Challenge was the 100th tournament of his career… Won the 2016 Masters… In 2010 became the first golfer in Match Play history to win the first 5 holes against his opponent… Won the first major of his career, the 2010 Tour Championship pulling the “double” by carding the best gross and net… In 2006 made MGM Tour history by becoming the first to successfully defend a stroke play tournament title when he won the Charly Invitational for the 2nd straight year.
With his signature brown and white saddle shoes, Crump always had his feet firmly planted – both figuratively and literally – on Tour.
Crump’s first victory on Tour, the 2003 Hooters with partner Marty Witt.
The first of 3 consecutive Jonah/Charly victories.
The young buck part of the Tour’s start.
Crump may have found it harder holding the tourney honoree than winning the tournament.
Only Match Play, Survivor, Captain & PIG, and Tournament of Champions eluded Crump in the win column.
SQUIRREL POWER! Crump was a famous believer/practioner.
Crump made it to just 1 Finals of the Match Play Invitational.
Consistent, dependable, dedicated, a man of integrity.
Special post 2010 Tournament of Champions luncheon.
“Pussies, when has rain stopped anyone???? My douche bag mailman still delivers in the rain. Seriously, this is what the Tour has become: a bunch of girls afraid of the rain.”
-Clint Crump responding to Tournament Officials who announced the tournament might have to be delayed because of rain, to a date 3-time champion Crump would be out of town. Ironically, a month later, Crump would be battered in the pouring rain at the Hooters and suggested he regretted playing in such conditions.
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Crump ponders his “interesting” lie.
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The MGM Tour doffs its cap to Clint Crump. See you on the 19th hole!
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