Who has the best Elite whiskers?

They say the beard makes the man. How do our Elite Series pros stack up in the battle of the whiskers?

We've noticed a trend of more interesting whiskers on the Elite Tour this year. For some it's part of their signature look; others are simply too busy for the razor. Here, in our humble opinion, are the best Elite whiskers of 2014. In this photo, Mike Kernan goes Hollywood with shades and some scruff. In the rest of this gallery, we rank the pros not for their fishing ability but for their scruff.
We’ve noticed a trend of more interesting whiskers on the Elite Tour this year. For some it’s part of their signature look; others are simply too busy for the razor. Here, in our humble opinion, are the best Elite whiskers of 2014. In this photo, Mike Kernan goes Hollywood with shades and some scruff. In the rest of this gallery, we rank the pros not for their fishing ability but for their scruff.
36. Trevor Romans
Romans spends his time figuring out life as an Elite Series rookie instead of worrying about a little 5 o'clock shadow.
36. Trevor Romans
Romans spends his time figuring out life as an Elite Series rookie instead of worrying about a little 5 o’clock shadow.
35. Jason Williamson
Why so serious, Jason? Maybe his circle beard is a little itchy.
35. Jason Williamson
Why so serious, Jason? Maybe his circle beard is a little itchy.
34. Kenneth
34. Kenneth “Boo” Woods
Woods’ similar beard style isn’t bothering him any.
33. John Murray
And Murray's just makes him smile even bigger.
33. John Murray
And Murray’s just makes him smile even bigger.
32. Russ Lane
Just a little goatee with a bare upper lip will do it for Lane.
32. Russ Lane
Just a little goatee with a bare upper lip will do it for Lane.
31. Kenyon Hill
For Hill, the facial hair just helps frame his much skinnier face after his bypass surgery in January. Lookin' good, Kenyon!
31. Kenyon Hill
For Hill, the facial hair just helps frame his much skinnier face after his bypass surgery in January. Lookin’ good, Kenyon!
30. Brett Hite
When Brett Hite won his first Elite Tournament in March he was clean shaven. Then he went with this full beard, like he quit shaving to celebrate his win. He has since bushwhacked it.
30. Brett Hite
When Brett Hite won his first Elite Tournament in March he was clean shaven. Then he went with this full beard, like he quit shaving to celebrate his win. He has since bushwhacked it.
29. James Elam
Elam is so young that it's hard to tell if this look is a few days away from the clippers or if this is full beard status for him.
29. James Elam
Elam is so young that it’s hard to tell if this look is a few days away from the clippers or if this is full beard status for him.
28. Pete Ponds
Ponds likes a little pepper on top and a little salt on bottom.
28. Pete Ponds
Ponds likes a little pepper on top and a little salt on bottom.
27. Keith Combs
A bass fishing champ or a thoughtful philosopher?
27. Keith Combs
A bass fishing champ or a thoughtful philosopher?
26. Hank Cherry
Cherry rocks a little short-box beard to accentuate a manly square jaw.
26. Hank Cherry
Cherry rocks a little short-box beard to accentuate a manly square jaw.
25. Scott Rook
Rook likes his 'stache super short.
25. Scott Rook
Rook likes his ‘stache super short.
24. David Mullins
Scruffy but clean.
24. David Mullins
Scruffy but clean.
23. Greg Hackney
Call him the Hack Attack if you want, but we'll call him Grizzly.
23. Greg Hackney
Call him the Hack Attack if you want, but we’ll call him Grizzly.
22. Fred Roumbanis
Something here reminds us of Joey Fatone.
22. Fred Roumbanis
Something here reminds us of Joey Fatone.
21. Matt Herren
This is Herren's pre-Santa look.
21. Matt Herren
This is Herren’s pre-Santa look.
20. Tommy Biffle
Ditto.
20. Tommy Biffle
Ditto.
19. Jamie Horton
Just keep it growing, Jamie, and let it get a little whiter, and you may also be a candidate for Santa one day.
19. Jamie Horton
Just keep it growing, Jamie, and let it get a little whiter, and you may also be a candidate for Santa one day.
18. Gerald Swindle
This beard is cool like its daddy.
18. Gerald Swindle
This beard is cool like its daddy.
17. Paul Elias
Oh, Paul. This is a great look, but it leaves us wishing for the days when you had a beard that even the Dodgers' Brian Wilson would envy.
17. Paul Elias
Oh, Paul. This is a great look, but it leaves us wishing for the days when you had a beard that even the Dodgers’ Brian Wilson would envy.
16. Ott DeFoe
The goatee part of DeFoe's beard seems to be smiling right along with him.
16. Ott DeFoe
The goatee part of DeFoe’s beard seems to be smiling right along with him.
15. John Crews
We'll call this a pencil goatee.
15. John Crews
We’ll call this a pencil goatee.
14. Justin Lucas
Intential or 5 o'clock shadow? You decide.
14. Justin Lucas
Intential or 5 o’clock shadow? You decide.
13. Rick Clunn
Distingished, like this man's career.
13. Rick Clunn
Distingished, like this man’s career.
12. Aaron Martens
Martens once made his beard an incentive. He said he wouldn't shave until All-Star if fans voted him in to the tournament. They did, and he didn't. It was only slightly longer than this at the time.
12. Aaron Martens
Martens once made his beard an incentive. He said he wouldn’t shave until All-Star if fans voted him in to the tournament. They did, and he didn’t. It was only slightly longer than this at the time.
11. Boyd Duckett
A white circle beard makes this former Classic champ smile.
11. Boyd Duckett
A white circle beard makes this former Classic champ smile.
10. Jason Christie
Cool, calm and collected.
10. Jason Christie
Cool, calm and collected.
9. Brandon Palaniuk
Palaniuk's full beard is topless.
9. Brandon Palaniuk
Palaniuk’s full beard is topless.
8. Mike Iaconelli
Ike plays with his facial hair design more than any other pro on tour. Now, he's sporting a little Fu Manchu or horseshoe mustachio.
8. Mike Iaconelli
Ike plays with his facial hair design more than any other pro on tour. Now, he’s sporting a little Fu Manchu or horseshoe mustachio.
7. Jeremy Starks
Starks was a baby face in very recent history. This beard is new.
7. Jeremy Starks
Starks was a baby face in very recent history. This beard is new.
6. Derek Remitz
In praise of the Wolverine. Side view so you can appreciate the length of the 'burns.
6. Derek Remitz
In praise of the Wolverine. Side view so you can appreciate the length of the ‘burns.
5. Chris Lane
There is just so much fur on this Classic champ's chin! But the rest of his face is like a baby.
5. Chris Lane
There is just so much fur on this Classic champ’s chin! But the rest of his face is like a baby.
4. Josh Bertrand
It could be Bertrand's Western upbringing or just his utter coolness, but he can rock a chin strap.
4. Josh Bertrand
It could be Bertrand’s Western upbringing or just his utter coolness, but he can rock a chin strap.
3. Jared Lintner
The 'milk man mustache' gets props for always being there for Lintner ...
3. Jared Lintner
The ‘milk man mustache’ gets props for always being there for Lintner …
... keeping his upper lip super warm.
… keeping his upper lip super warm.
2. Shaw Grigsby
Shaw Grigsby just would not be Shaw Grigsby without his mouth brow.
2. Shaw Grigsby
Shaw Grigsby just would not be Shaw Grigsby without his mouth brow.
1. Joseph Sancho
If you didn't know Joe Sancho wins the 'best whiskers' award, you just haven't been paying attention to the Elite Series because ...
1. Joseph Sancho
If you didn’t know Joe Sancho wins the ‘best whiskers’ award, you just haven’t been paying attention to the Elite Series because …
... really, just look at that. Anyone who takes the time to grow out a beard that is braidable will always win this award.
… really, just look at that. Anyone who takes the time to grow out a beard that is braidable will always win this award.