Sobe is my friend.  And as a friend, I am happy for him as I know how badly he’s wanted to work side-by-side his Dad at Backstreet again.  But again, Sobe is my friend and it’s more bitter than sweet for me to see his office desk get cleaned out this week.  And sure, it’s not “good bye” it’s only “so long for now,” but still…

Sobe and I have a storied history and I thought the GTB is the perfect place for this homage to my pal.

The History

Sobe and I started in the same month at IT five-and-a-half years ago.  He was brought on to be “Sobe.”  I was brought on for other reasons – the most unique of which was to be “Duffer Dan” – Sobe’s n00b protege and communicator to the masses of virtual hacks.  Before blogging was blogging, I was blogging in the GT player forums with my supposed-to-be-funny diatribes called The Bronze Tapes: Excerpts from Duffer Dan’s Diary. Clever name, huh? (That’s why I make the big bucks…)

Anyway, “Duffer Dan” was intended to be a voice for average players.  It was my job to leverage learning the game from a GT champion into helpful, fun content for our player community.  Did it work?  Well, you tell me…   The name certainly stuck and the blog made it fourteen posts deep.  I may not have shaved strokes from other n00bs’ games but the Sobe/Duffer experiment was a success.

Classic Video from Houston

Our pairing became less master/protege and more Penn/Teller – sort of a comedic act ingrained in Golden Tee lore.  His matter-of-fact skill and my goofy, antagonistic shtick grew into something special.   We learned that just the tales of Sobe/Duffer are more fun, natural and interesting than anything else we could have done.  Sure, playing Golden Tee was the underlying theme of everything but “living the Golden Tee lifestyle” became the soul of our work.  And I am proud to say whether it’s our countless videos, podcasts or even this very blog post, Steven Sobe helped me forge a persona for Golden Tee and Incredible Technologies and for that, I owe him this tribute.

Well, Boo-Freakin’-Hoo

Yeah, yeah, Sobe is leaving.  And now that you know why I am compelled to write this tribute, it’s time move on and start my roast of this lovable S-O-B, Sobe.  I should add that everyone will be seeing Sobe off clingin’ glasses, sipping imported beer and exchanging hugs at Duffy’s in Palatine, IL on Wednesday 7/29.  Yes, I’ll be there but come on, that lovey-dovey stuff is just too boring for me.  There’s just so much that people need to know about Sobe to gain a full appreciation.  And since only a select few can hang with us at Duffy’s, I’d rather post my roast publicly.

In the IT marketing department we always say, “it ain’t easy bein’ Sobe” – and it’s time I reveal why.  So once again – like the young, wide-eyed Duffer Dan I once was – I will shed my final insight on what it’s like hangin’ with the man, the myth, the blue button, Steven Sobe, in a special piece I call the…

TOP 10 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT STEVEN SOBE

2007 Southern Regional: Sobe dominates Duffer with a lefty-righty in the CTTP demo

#10: Sobe is Ambidextrous

Righty, lefty, who gives a rip – Sobe will probably kick your ass either way.  When playing Golden Tee he pulls-back lefty and tees-off righty.  Now, how in the hell are you supposed to teach a n00b how to play with an antic like that?  It’s kind of like a driving instructor teaching you how to gas and brake as he steers the car with his feet!  Come on, Sobe… Yeah, we get it, we’re impressed that you’re equally adept with both L and R appendages but how about putting your talent to better use like juggling chainsaws, playing classical piano, or something?  Dude, it’s just a video game.

#9: Galaga, Pool, Golden Tee

Yes, in that order.  Don’t forget, he grew up in a pool hall and his Dad worked on a amusement game route.  Sobe had lots of time to home his skills.  I learned of these skills in 2004, first it was the Galaga machine at Friday’s Front Row in Orlando, FL.  Sobe said, “give me one quarter.  I’ve played for 4 hours on one quarter before.”  When I made him prove it, 1 quarter in, 60-minutes later – no dead lives – he quit because “the joystick was ‘laggy.’”

Pool?  It was at the X-Games in Los Angeles where Sobe and I were stationed for a week.  We were staying at the same hotel as all the bad-ass, biker, skater dudes.  The hotel bar was packed while the Sobester and I racked up for some R&R.  As Sobe was kicking my teeth in, some tattooed-skater crew threw a line of quarters on the rail to challenge “winner” for the table.  No words were spoken between Sobe and the crew and I watched as Sobe won 8-games in row, giving them maybe 5 shots.  No mercy…  During the ninth game, Sobe scratches on the eight-ball and quietly says, “ahh…  You got it.”  Sheeplishy, skater-dude replies, “Dude.  The table yours, man…”

#8: No, He Aint Good at Everything

For example, Steven Sobe sucks at riding mechanical bulls.  See video.

Sobe shows his boss, Scott, how to eat a dog. Burnt...

#7: The Connoisseur of Mediocrity

I am known as somewhat of a foodie around the office.  I don’t rub it any one’s face – hey, eat what you like – but, yes, I am particular about what I consider great.  Sobe too considers himself a connoisseur.  Though it’s time that he – and the world – know that prowess of his palette ends at the big, bright, neon of the restaurant franchise sign.  If you need advice on the best bacon-loaded-fried-nachos platter, or chicken-fried-grease-marinara pasta bowl, Sobe is your guy.  Though the local Portillo’s will miss his daily investment of “Italian beef w/cheese and bowl of chili no onions.”  (yeah, I know.  And I’m the fat one…)

#6: Ok, He’s Good at Everything

Sobe still thinks he can tame the X Games Big Air Jump

Whether you’re eying down the vertical incline of a 2-story half-pipe or watching a professional pitcher’s 95-mph four-seam fastball, in his quiet southern drawl, Sobe will non-shalantly reply with one of two statements: “That ain’t a big deal, Duff.  I can do that” or “That ain’t a big deal, Duff.  I’ve done that.”  Whether it’s hitting a 7-iron 200-yards, attacking a vert ramp on a skateboard, playing bags, darts, Silver Strike, beer pong, pick-up sticks, whatever – don’t bet against him.  Ever.   You will lose.  He can do it…

#5: “He’s a Hustler Baby and He Want’s You To Know”

Greatest business card ever.

Back in 2004, Sobe and I ventured into a bar in Santa Monica, CA.  Three jabronies were teeing up on some Golden Tee Fore! 2005 talking all sorts of smack with their plus-scores.  Diplomatically, Sobe and I say, “Hey, fellas.  Can we get in on the next game?”  In a drunken stooper, they arrogantly reply, “yeah, sure, man.  But we ONLY play for money.”  ”Yes. YES,” I said under my breath to Sobe.  ”This is finally our day.  Let’s mop up with these ya-hoos – easy pickins, man!”  Sobe queitly digs into his pocket, hands the guys a business card that says, Steven Sobe, 3-Time GT National Champion, and bluntly says, “are you sure?”  Their reaction was priceless.  We ended up teeing-up with the guys for hours and Sobe showed them the ropes.  That’s the type of guy he is.  Classic.

#4: Sobe is Complicated…

…but I imagine Plato confused Aristotle at times too.  To fully take in Sobe’s intense, complex level of understanding of Golden Tee you need to basically forget everything you now about the game, standard vocabulary, physics and geometry.  Inventor (or curator) of such complicated techniques as The Arcade Shot, The Out-and-Out, The Sobe Swerve, The Chush, The Hammer, The Pull-Back-Thumbs, The Softie, The Spinny.  Or his famous, profound expressions like “That was too much funk.” “Hit down on it,” or my personal favorite, “you hit that too good.” Luckily, my secret Sobe decoder ring works pretty well.

Sobe - the consummate slacker

#3: Sobe is a Terrible Roommate

Sobe and I have shared more rooms in the past five-and-a half years than most grown men should ever have too.  And whether it was the finest (or seediest) hotels in Las Vegas, to the sticks of the South, all the way to the modest means of a stateroom aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier – it didn’t matter, he’s always a celebrity at heart and likes it his way.  Heat on in the summer, late for everything, no wake up calls, takes two hours to shave and primp an 1/8th inch hair.  He’ll make you late for airplanes, leaves ESPN blaring at 4:00AM and don’t forget the tobacco “spitoons” on your nightstand.  Sobe, I’ll miss you – but the thought that  I’ll never have to share a room with you ever again is liberating.  Ahhhh….. There.  I said it.

#2: And the Academy Award Doesn’t Go To…

Sobe!  Not counting course reviews, Sobe and I have recorded dozens and dozens of videos.  I’m always the host and he’s always the *ahem* talent.  But it wasn’t until the past few years when we really found our rhythm.  You just have to let Sobe be him – no scripts, no teleprompter.  Make him act and you won’t get Sobe.  Let him be himself and you get Golden Tee video gold.

Check out the attached outtake for instance.  A little known fact is that Sobe was supposed to do these videos solo.  The director threw me in to loosen up the action.  This was our first shot at “Sobe/Duffer” on camera and started what became our series of Odd Couple-eque media.  Ballllllllzzzzz…..

#1: Steven Sobe is a Good Man.

You see celebrity-types on television or in movies and think, “that person does/doesn’t seem nice in real life.”  You see Sobe during every Golden Tee game played and naturally think, “seems like a nice guy,” right?  He is.  The nicest.  Nobody ribs Sobe harder than I do.  I kid, I joke, and have busted his chops daily for five-years as if it were my duty.  But I do it because he is a grade-A, true-blue good person and great friend.  And anyone who works at IT or has met Sobe will agree.  He takes time to listen and cares about your well being.  That’s all I can ask in a friend and what I will miss most after this Friday.

Sobe, we’ve spent countless hours talking during road trips, at airports, in musty motels, afloat at sea, on the golf course, at the bar and mostly behind the trackball, and I’ll always cherish the time.  Thank you for listening, being a great “partner in crime” and of course an outstanding friend.  It’s been a good run so far and as I said at the start, it’s not good bye, it’s only “so long for now.”

Here are a few final parting photos from some of my favorite Sobe/Duffer moments.   Enjoy -

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But enough with mushy stuff.  Consider this blog entry my declaration, that when you bring back the Mt. Airy Golden Tee Open at Sobe’s Backstreet Pavilion, “Duffer” Dan Schrementi will be the first person on the entry list.  Why?  Not because all your mentoring will carry me to victory.  Or because I really miss “talkin’ shop” with you.  Truly, it’s because I hear Backstreet has “the greatest fried mozzarella sticks in North Carolina.”

Good luck, brother….

- DD