Cobra Kai

​The namesake of the Cobra Kai for the Lietke Ryder Cup was quick and easy decision. Brandon Lietke and Patty Mihelich, the leadership of the Cobra Kai, have always been big supporters of the fictional karate dojo. The Cobra Kai has always gotten a bad reputation thanks to the likes of Ralph Macchio. But, when you really look deep into it, are the Cobra Kai such bad guys? As Patty Mihelich so eloquently put it, “Riding dirt bikes with my buddies, yeah! Getting high in the bathroom stall of the school Halloween dance, absolutely. The cinematic feud began when Daniel LaRusso, played by Macchio, was trying to steal the Cobra Kai’s boombox. LaRusso even threw the first punch before the Cobra Kai’s best student Johnny humiliated him. Equating to the Lietke Ryder Cup, the Cobra Kai will bring similar philosophies to the golf course. “Strike first, strike hard, no mercy” is the mindset of everyone on the Cobra Kai team. This method coupled with the Quick Silver karate method of “A man can’t breathe, he can’t fight. A man can’t stand, he can’t fight. A man can’t see, he can’t fight” translates beautifully to the Lietke Ryder Cup.

​“A man can’t breathe, he can’t drive. A man can’t stand, he can’t chip. A man can’t stand, he can’t putt.” Mercy is for the weak!

Lombardo

​The namesake of Lombardo comes from the ever popular movie, Wild Things. In the movie, the main character Sam Lombardo, played by Matt Dillon is a high school teacher/sailor who has a hot rich girlfriend and is accused of raping two of his female students. What’s not to love? Even better, Sam Lombardo was awarded a crystallized “Teacher of the Year Award”. All of this was more than enough for Nathan to bestow the Lombardo name upon his Ryder Cup team. When looking at the makeup of Team Lombardo, all the similarities are there. You have Eric, the high school teacher, who sails on the side. You have Dan-o and Kyle who have both been accused of rape by a girl that lives in a trailer park. The list goes on. The Lombardo philosophy is a lot different than the Cobra Kai philosophy. Lombardo comes with a much more laid back, easy going feel where the Cobra Kai are much more intense and out for blood.

​Lombardo stands for all the rich yacht club members and brings at least the “appearance” of class and civility to the Lietke Ryder Cup. See ya at the Club!