Matchmaker, Matchmaker..

West Captain Gus Montano owns a stout record at Canon Cup. The wily veteran boasts a perfect 3-0 record as captain of the West ship and will go for a fourth this year.	East Captain Matt Cuccaro brings deep knowledge of the intracacies of golf, along with his experiences at Caves Valley as a college golf player .

Canon Cup captains are the key decision-makers for their teams, setting up the matches that could make or break a team's chances. While Gus Montano and Matt Cuccaro are constantly evaluating their teams, ajga.org took the opportunity to judge this year's captains on vital issues that will have a huge impact on the outcome of the 2004 Canon Cup.

Question: Who is your favorite pro football team?
Gus: Arizona Cardinals featuring Rod Tidwell
Matt: New England Patriots, and not just because they’re two-time Super Bowl champs. They represent the team atmosphere at a time when professional athletes are more and more just about the individual.

Advantage: Matt. Gus, obviously you were duped into thinking "Jerry Maguire" was a sports movie. It was a chick flick.

Question: Who is your favorite pro baseball team?
Gus: San Diego Padres
Matt: Boston Red Sox, mostly because I hate the Yankees.

Advantage: Matt. The Yank-hating reference wins us over.

Question: Who is your favorite pro basketball team?
Gus: Los Angeles Clippers
Matt: None

Advantage: Gus. We like a man with courage, and it takes courage to say you're a Clippers fan.

Question: Who is your favorite PGA TOUR player?
Gus: Freddie Couples
Matt: Sergio Garcia because as an intern with the AJGA I met him and have met him since and he has always seemed like a down-to-earth kind of guy.

Advantage: Matt. Although Boom-Boom is a fan favorite, AJGA alums get the nod every time.

Question: Who is your favorite LPGA player?
Gus: My West Canon Cup girls from 2001-2004
Matt: I’m really interested in the future LPGA stars from my East Canon Cup teams from 2002-2004.

Question: Who is your hero?
Gus: Matt Cuccaro for going through all those beatings and not giving up.
Matt: I’ve met Mark Cuban (owner of the Dallas Mavericks) and he just says what’s on his mind, which is a lot different than me. In my opinion, he’s the definition of true, self-made entrepreneur.

Advantage: Gus. This is great lockerroom material. Plus, Matt Cuccaro, you're a much better man than Mark Cuban (and your team has a better chance of winning a championship than the Mavs...)

Question: What is your best golf achievement?
Gus: Three holes-in-one
Matt: Making the cut in a Tear Drop tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Advantage: Gus. Gus probably earned more money for his achievement.

Question: What is your handicap?
Gus: 12
Matt: Three and climbing

Question: Who is your favorite band?
Gus: Dave Matthews Band
Matt: U2

Advantage: Matt. Both bands have great music, so in a case like this, we had to go to band member names. Who can beat Bono and The Edge?

Question: What is your favorite movie?
Gus: Jerry Maguire featuring Rod Tidwell
Matt: Good Will Hunting

Advantage: Matt. Although the kid in Jerry Maguire is cute, we really do like apples.

Question: What is your favorite restaurant?
Gus: In-N-Out Burger
Matt: Maggiano’s in Little Italy in Baltimore

Advantage: Gus. Four little words: Double-double, animal style!

Question: What is your favorite food?
Gus: I love food. I’m just a big food guy. But I’ll have to go with the In-N-Out menu
Matt: Pizza

Advantage: Matt. In the world of Atkins, pizza reigns supreme. Here's to carb loading!

Question: What is your favorite ice cream?
Gus: Well, the East would have to go with this year’s theme, “Rocky Road.” But I choose mint ‘n chip.
Matt: Fish food. Do they make ice cream out West?

Advantage: Gus. We're just wondering if Matt's dates like fish food ice cream as much as he does.

Question: What is your motto for life?
Gus: “Live like there’s no tomorrow.”
Matt: “Have fun, do what you enjoy doing.”