Well, the first Major event of the year has come to a close and it has gotten us plenty excited for the 2015 season. The first of its kind in Australia and the southern hemisphere, the 2015 Aussie Open was the culmination of years of education, promotion and preparation for the tournament staff and crew. When the final putt dropped, a prominent, almost proud roar erupted from the gallery; not only to congratulate the winner, but almost as a sigh of relief that they had pulled it off. It was proof that all the blood, sweat and tears was truly worth the effort. And the players noticed too.
The 2015 Aussie Open came to a close today under a big, beautiful Australian sky. Many of the locals came out to see exactly what this sport was all about, and they were treated not only to some great competition, but the true camaraderie that is the very foundation of this great game we all love.
After playing in such difficult conditions yesterday, competitors of the 2015 Aussie Open were hoping for Mother Nature to ease up. Yesterday’s storm had cooled things down quite a bit, but it did leave a lingering breeze which, in Australia, tends to swirl and confuse players to almost maddening proportions. If you have the mental game to combat the humidity and blustery conditions, you seriously have a chance to spring forward to make a big leap on the leaderboard. That is exactly what three particular players intended to do.
The 2014 United States Disc Golf Championship had it all. Will Schusterick #29064 became a 3X USDGC Champion after winning a sudden death playoff against the world’s #1 ranked player, Paul McBeth #27523. 2X Women’s World Champion, Paige Pierce #29190, became the first woman to take the gold in Performance Flight. And last but not least, an awesome distance showcase over-the-lake wrapped it all up with Jeremy Koling #33705 becoming the first to ever slam a driver into the chains.
One way to ensure a victory at any disc golf tournament; start the final round in or close to the lead and then throw the lowest score of the week in your entire division. It’s a strategy that you can’t really argue with, right? Paul McBeth #27523 and Catrina Allen #44184 did just that today as they took home extremely impressive victories at the 2014 European Masters, the sixth of ten PDGA Major Events that take place throughout the year.
The 32nd Kansas City Wide Open (KCWO) officially came to end on Sunday evening as Paul McBeth and Paige Pierce tapped in for their third PDGA National Tour victories of the year. After three days of walking some of the largest courses on the tour, often more than once, it was a long weekend to say the least. The 90+ degree weather certainly didn’t make the weekend any less demanding for the competitors and staff, but we all made it out alive and well.
When the last putt of a multi-day disc golf event hits the chains, take a look around at the staff and the volunteers. They look pretty happy, right? If you’ve ever ran or helped put on a tournament, you probably know the feeling. The weight being lifted off your shoulders. The joy of knowing that soon you’ll be back home with your family and friends, sleeping comfortably and stress-free. It’s weird to think that after months and months of prep work, all you want once the event finally begins, is for it to end.
Upon arrival at Fountain Hills Park early in the morning on Saturday, we knew we’d be in for an interesting final day of The Memorial Championship presented by Discraft. The greater area of Phoenix had gone nearly 11 weeks without a drop of rain and on Friday night, as most of the population slept, the much needed rainfall finally arrived. What better time to end the drought than the final round of one of the biggest events in disc golf?
After a brutal final day in the rain, wind, and lightning, we're pleased to congratulate Paige Pierce and Paul McBeth for their impressive victories at The Memorial Championship presented by Discraft. Paige finished the tournament 10 strokes ahead of second place finisher Catrina Allen followed by Val Jenkins in third and Liz Dorries in fourth.
Congratulations to our 2011 Memorial Championship Winners...
Open: Paul McBeth #27523 (Huntington Beach, CA) Women: Paige Pierce #29190 (Plano, TX) Masters: George Smith #4034 (Columbia, MO) Grandmasters: Jim Myers #3396 (Cockeysville, MD)
The 2011 PDGA National Tour Elite Series, presented by Vibram Disc Golf got underway today in Scottsdale Arizona at the Memorial Championship, presented by Discraft.
