Alright, let’s get weird.
If you were to make a list of topics we expected to cover during Spring Training this year, it would likely include things like who would make the Braves rotation/bench/bullpen, the plans the Braves potentially have for playing time at third and the outfield, basically anything that Ronald Acuna does, and whether or not players are healthy going into the regular season.
What we didn’t expect to be on the list: coverage of a putt-putt match between two of the Braves’ top pitching prospects in a battle the pitted friend against friend and nation against nation. Well, here we are...and it is glorious.
For two decades, @Braves pitchers were synonymous with golf.
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) February 20, 2018
The next generation is carrying on that tradition. Sort of.
2018 #ChopcastLIVE Open: @KolbyAllard v. @Mike_Soroka28 pic.twitter.com/y7euK5MeLX
First and foremost, thanks for Zach Dillard and Cory McCartney from Fox Sports South for putting this together as it is hilarious. In addition to putting the video together, Zach and Cory also provided commentary throughout the video. The various references to being grateful that Kolby and Mike have baseball careers to fall back on were both correct and well-executed. I won’t spoil who won (seriously, you have to watch the whole thing), but here are my completely objective and scientific conclusions regarding Allard and Soroka’s skill sets.
Fashion
It is a well-known fact that an important part of someone’s golf game is what they wear on the course. Just Google Payne Stewart or Ian Poulter if you are in need of reference material. For this battle of the titans, Soroka went for a modern look with dark colors with accents of red to honor his native Canada. However, the clear winner here was Kolby as he sported American flag shorts and socks and a backwards hat. He basically the combination of Griffey and Uncle Sam on the putt-putt course.
Advantage: Kolby
Trash Talk
In a bit of an upset, Soroka gets the nod here. There was plenty of smack talk between the players as well as a bit from the announcers with Kolby forecasting that Soroka would eventually choke being a highlight. However, Soroka singing O Canada while Kolby was in the middle of his swing and his relentless attacks on Kolby’s inability at times to keep the ball on the course gives him the nod here.
Advantage: Soroka
Showmanship
This is incredibly close as both guys were putting on a show for the audience and Kolby’s outfit certainly got him some points here. However, the edge is to Soroka again with his “exotic” putting methods including using his putter like a pool cue and his trashtalking prowess.
Advantage: Soroka
Technique/Strategy
In what is likely the least important part of all of this, we have actual putt-putt technique/strategy. Let’s get this out of the way...thank goodness both of these guys have baseball careers ahead of them as their futures are not on the putt putt course (I can’t speak for their overall golf games...but I don’t see them retiring from baseball and threatening the PGA Tour). The nod goes to Kolby here. Why lacking some of the “big play” tendencies of Soroka, Allard’s short game was superior and more consistent and he used a relatively safe approach to chip away at a Soroka’s commanding early lead.
Advantage: Allard