Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Kat Mertsch celebrates Sunday after winning the Disc Golf Pro Tour's Silver Cascade Challenge at Shelton Springs Disc Golf Course.
Kat Mertsch won the women's pro open and Richard Wysocki won the mixed pro open in the Disc Golf Pro Tour's Silver Cascade Challenge from Friday to Sunday at Shelton Springs Disc Golf Course.
Mertsch of Rose Bud, Arkansas, won the women's pro open tournament at 11-under, three shots clear of second-place Sai Ananda of Spokane Valley.
Wysocki of Scottsdale, Arizona, won the mixed pro open with a score of 29-under par, three shots ahead of second-place Matt Bell of Hopatcong, New Jersey. The highest regional finisher was Axel Olson of Mercer Island, finishing 36h at 11-under par.
"It was an excellent weekend - everything that needed to go right, did," Mason County Disc Golf Club Secretary Justin Holzgrove wrote to the Journal in an email. "The weather was beautiful, the spectators had a great time, and the course played very well!"
Former world champion James Conrad shot a 14-under, which was a top-10 rated round this season. Conrad had the lead going into the final round, but two-time world champion Wysocki came from behind to earn the victory.
"Overwhelmingly, the players and pro tour staff were incredibly complimentary of the course. On this West Coast swing of the pro tour, they are often playing ball-golf courses that ask for wide open shots and long distance throws to score birdies. At Shelton Springs, our distance isn't as great, but the shot-shaping and technical aspect of the sport are really highlighted," Holzgrove wrote. "As professional disc golfer Connor O'Reilly said it on coverage, 'Shelton Springs, showing that even though it's short, you've really got to be crisp with your timing and be really accurate to score some birdies out here.' The Finnish players said it reminded them of home and Olympia's Chandler Fry highlighted the beauty of the songbirds serenading the players and spectators as everyone goes silent for a throw. It's a beautiful place that held up to some of the best disc golfers in the world and stood tall and strong; fair and fun."
Holzgrove said the pro purse was the largest ever payout for a Silver Series event on the Disc Golf Pro Tour at more than $55,000, raised by the tournament director and sponsors. There were 800 unique spectator passes sold. Along with the 150 competitors and 100 volunteers, staff and vendors more than 1,000 people were at the facility this weekend.
"We were told by Disc Golf Pro Tour staff that the tournament was considered a great success by means of spectator turnout, volunteer support, City of Shelton partnership, and the way the course itself played," Holzgrove wrote. "On that, they plan to return next year and make it a regular stop on the pro tour."
For information on future events or to get into disc golfing yourself, go to http://www.masoncountydiscgolf.com.
Reader Comments(0)