10.08.14

Taking a cue from the dramatic PDGA Worlds, the United States Disc Golf Championship ended in a spectacular playoff. Paul McBeth (-19), Will Schusterick (-18), John E McCray (-17), and Patrick Brown (-16) made the lead card for the final round at Winthrop Gold Course. After trading the lead all week, scorecards looked like typical USDGC scorecards; many birdies, but an unusually high number of bogeys, double bogeys and even triple bogeys.

John E McCray lead the pack with a hot round going into hole 17. McCray who had a 4 stroke lead with just two holes to go had trouble finding fair ground and eventually ended up taking a 9, leaving the door wide open for Schusterick and McBeth. McBeth birdied while Schusterick took par. Paul attacked hole 18 but had his second shot find OB. Will played a safe route, but left himself with an awkward putt and took a bogey 5 as well. Brown, who was at (-18) to start Hole 18, also took a bogie 5. McCray stayed focused, and took a birdie 3 to force the first three way tie (-19) in USDGC history.

McBeth, Schusterick and McCray returned to Hole 18 for a sudden-death play-off. Schusterick smashed his tee shot up the fairway, followed by an approach that put him below the basket. Schusterick looked to be in good shape to seal it since McBeth’s second shot landed short and left of the green and McCray went OB on his second shot. McBeth then landed his next shot by the basket as McCray again went OB trying to stay in it. Schusterick, again in position to win it, could not put it away and the drama continued for another playoff hole, but without McCray. Schusterick and McBeth then proceeded to Hole 1, a nerve-racking, relatively short hole with mandatory. McBeth’s drive went long and he missed his birdie putt leaving the door open for Schusterick once again. This time Schusterick’s putt was true and he won his third US Championship.

Congratulations to Will on the victory and all competitors in the USDGC. It was one of the most exciting and successful Championships in the history of this prestigious event.

ThrowPINK

Each year, the USDGC chooses an organization to benefit and this year ThrowPink (www.throwpink.com) was chosen. ThrowPINK hopes to make a difference stopping breast cancer while getting women and girls playing disc golf. The Championship raised money during the “BigHeartBigArm” Distance Showcase. over $1800 was raised through sponsoring each disc that was thrown across Lake Winthrop by the top distance throwers: Simon Lizotte, Garrett Gurthie, Nikko Locastro (subbing for Steve Brinster who was injured) and Jeremy Koling. Another spot was up for bid, and both David Wiggins and Performance Champion, Paige Pierce were included. Every shot had a chance to win a Discatcher Traveler if an ace was made, while hitting the lone DISCatcher would have resulted in a $25000 donation to ThrowPINK. It was exciting to see the first shot by a woman ever clear the lake (Paige’s first try), and Jeremy Koling hitting the first Over the lake ace and winning a Traveler for his sponsor.

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