PDGA National Tour Turns Toward Twin Cities, as Minnesota Majestic Takes Center Stage this Weekend

Posted from the PDGA Website :



Minnesota has made great contributions to disc golf over the history of our sport, whether it’s been the formation of the Minnesota Frisbee Association in 1975, being the birthplace of the disc golf ratings system in the late 1990s, or being the host of the PDGA Professional World Championships in 2001. Now in its 22nd incarnation, The Minnesota Majestic, in particular, has also added to the legends and lore of disc golf, with Cale Leiviska’s nearly impossible final nine downhill putt in 2007 forcing a sudden death playoff with Ken Climo being the most recent example.

So it is with this great pleasure that the PDGA and event coordinator Timmy Gill, welcome 135 of disc golf’s top professional competitors to the 2009 Minnesota Majestic brought to you by Summit Brewery. This is the sixth stop on this year’s PDGA National Tour, which has so far generously distributed it’s titles to four different players. The only two-time winner on the 2009 National Tour, Ken Climo, will challenge the four-time and defending Minnesota Majestic Champion Barry Schultz in the northern mid-west environment that is more to the native Wisconsonian’s liking. This star-studded field in the “Gopher State” also features World number one ranked, Nate Doss, as well as defending PDGA World Champion David Feldberg. Minnesota native Cale Leiviska is also sure to be near the top of the leaderboard, as will be Gregg Barsby (2009 Masters Cup Champion), Avery Jenkins, Steve Rico, and Josh Anthon.

On the women’s side of the competition, Valarie Jenkins is looking to defend her 2008 Minnesota Majestic title on the three different courses that will host this year’s event. Des Reading will look to build on her Beaver State Fling title from Memorial Day weekend by performing well in Minnesota and narrowing the gap between her and Jenkins on the Woodchuck Drive for the Championship NT points standings. Liz Lopez and Katy Schreder will also be playing to rejoin their lead group foursome from The Memorial in Arizona earlier in the year, when all four of these women played most of the tournament together.

Competition will begin on Friday, with the professionals teeing off on the Blue Ribbon Pines course in East Bethel. The renowned Kaposia Park course will be Saturday’s venue with Sunday’s third round and final nine being played at the Hyland Ski and Snow Area in Bloomington.

Do we need this at Idlewild?

This would make a good sign for Idlewild Disc Golf Course if you're playing the course "as it was designed" with all the OB, small island greens, etc. You did hear that there's going to be an island green on Hole One now since it was deuced in the BGO this year, didn't you? Last year it was the Mando on Hole 3 that was put in because Avery, Tyler and others threw to the right, up, over and crashing onto the island green - or that was the idea anyway. After that, maybe a Mando on 10? Stay tuned to "As the Idlewild Turns".

Anyway, I just heard about this sign that's at the Black Course at Bethpage in New York where the US Open Golf Championship is being played - or not because of the rain right now - and it made me think of Idlewild. I do like the Warning Sign and think it would be good for Idlewild.

Blaine Kinkel wins USADGC

The 2009 United States Amateur Disc Golf Championship is in the books and the new amateur national champion is Blaine Kinkel of Charleston, South Carolina.
Blaine Kinkel lead the United States Amateur Disc Golf Championship from wire to wire, jumping out to a fairly large lead by posting tournament low rounds on the first two days. He entered the final round on Sunday with a -12 total and three throw lead over Taylor Cimala (-9) and an eight throw lead over Tony Mitchell in third place but the victory would not come easy. Both Kinkel and Cimala struggled early on while Jamie Mosier and Tony Mitchell slowly closed the gap. At one point in the round Kinkel and Cimala were tied for the lead with Mosier and Mitchell just a few throws off the pace. Just when it looked like the tournament would come down to the wire Kinkel pulled away from the others in his group finishing at 64 (+2) on the day for a tournament total of 176 (-10). Cimala never got on track and finished with a 66 (+4) in the final round to fall back to eighth place with a 181 (-5) total. Jamie Mosier and Tony Mitchell both posted respectable final rounds of 60 (-2) to close the gap but it would not be enough. Little did the lead group know that Brad Frase who started the round with a -2 tournament total was throwing a round low 55 (-7) to close the gap. Kinkel putted out on hole 18 in front of an appreciative gallery but he wasn’t quite sure if it was enough. After totaling their cards at tournament central, it was official. Blaine Kinkel was the 2009 Amateur National Champion with a very slim one throw victory over Brad Frase.
Beautiful crystal trophies were presented to the top 15 players while the top 18 finishers each received one of the cool custom tee signs that were created for the event by artist extraordinaire, Marnie White. Kinkel was presented with a Discraft Chainstar basket and an invitation to compete in the 09 USDGC for the victory, while the top fifty finishers received merchandise vouchers.

See my post below on our local Drew Miller.

Links:
USADGC Scoreboard
USADGC Photo Galleries
Am Nationals Website

Drew Miller ties for 8th at USADGC

Congratulations to Independence, Ky's Drew Miller - he tied for 8th place in the United States Amateur Disc Golf Championships in Michigan. This is the premier title event for Amateurs and there were 143 participants in this one. Way to go Drew. Good showing and we are all proud of you. If you want to congratulate Drew on his performance, he's usually at Wednesday Night Doubles at Banklick (now LR).

Now, the question is, are you moving on up?

Our Own Drew Miller tied for 5th

Yes, that's right - Drew Miller from Independence, Ky is tied for 5th after the first round at the Am Nationals in Michigan and he is only 3 strokes off the lead. Drew shot a 60 which is a -2 for the round. Go get 'em Drew. Let's bring that Championship home to Kentucky.

Here's the Am Nationals Scoreboard

The opening round of the 2009 United States Amateur Disc Golf Championship got underway this morning in Milford, Michigan and Blaine Kinkel of Charleston, South Carolina wasted no time in announcing his presence to the field of 142 players. Kinkel shot great golf under ideal weather conditions and posted a 57 (-5) on the feared Toboggan Course to jump out to an early one throw lead over Todd Grisen 58 (-4), and two throw lead over Adam Kann and Bryan Johnson who both shot 59 (-3). Only fifteen of the one hundred and forty five competitors, or 9.5% of the field, managed to shoot sub par rounds on the par 62 layout, which is a good indicator of the difficulty and challenge of the Jim Kenner designed masterpiece. Another thirteen players managed to post even par rounds but the vast majority of the field is still trying to figure out how to conquer the beast that is Toboggan.
The format for the first round had the players with the highest ratings teeing off earlier in the morning so Kinkel was able to post his hot score early, due to his 975 player rating, and then sit back and relax and watch the rest of the field try to catch him throughout the day. Todd Grisen’s round of 58 (-4) was rated at 1004, which is an amazing 100 points above his player rating of 904 so he has to be feeling good. Tee times will begin at 8:00am once again for round two on Saturday morning with the higher rated players teeing in the afternoon and the lower rated players teeing in the morning before the players are finally grouped by total score for the finals on Sunday.

New discs that will be in on Monday 6/15/09

Here's all the discs that will be in on Monday 6/15/09:

Innova's
R-Pro Boss
R-Pro Hydra
R-Pro Skeeter

Discraft's
ESP Cyclone
ESP FLX Drone

1st Annual Blue Grass Cup June 12-13

National Disc Golf Tournament - Road to Deaf Nationals '09

Yes, we've got another tournament going on this weekend out at Idlewild. This course has lots of tournaments, lots of players everyday, lots of OB and lots of fun.

Good luck to all the deaf disc golfers. Stop in the store and get a free mini. Disc 'n Dat is a sponsor of the Blue Grass Cup. Cllick on this link for more information on the First Annual Blue Grass Cup

New R-Pro Boss

Lots of new discs are coming out:
Where to start? Well, Innova has been pumping out the R-Pro discs: currently, they have the R-Pro Dart, R-Pro Aviar, R-Pro Cro and just this week introduced the R-Pro Boss, R-Pro Skeeter and R-Pro Hyrdra. I R Pro, RU? The R-Pro Boss is the one that has been getting the most publicity since the R-Pro Dart.



Heres' some posts from the PDGA Message Board about the R-Pro Boss from Dave Dunipace of Innova:
"Originally Posted by gokayaksteven
Hi Dave-What is to be the future of the r-pro boss? will it be a regular model, and if so, what will be the weight range? When these are new, they fly like no other. I put the 150's head-to-head against my dx destroyers, the disc i use in an open setting when i need max D, and the bosses consistently flew further for me. They do get beat up very easily and turn understable quickly, but I just use them for open shots, and they are lasting about as long as my dx destroyers. one good hit and they are done, but I can deal with that and stock up, and the grip and D is worth it for some shots."

"ThanksHi Steven,We are going to start a main run of R-Pro Bosses next week. We are shooting for 150 class to mid sixties. You bring up some good points about these R-Pro drivers. I am not sure if we are going to make any other drivers in R-Pro as they don't do well on high speed tree contact. That being said, I did a real good taco job on an R-Boss, but was able to reform the rim easily. And, although the flight plate still looked bad, the disc was as stable as new and is still flying fine. So, I wouldn't be so quick to think the disc you smashed is done yet. You might be able to bend it back in shape. Short sharp tweeks work best to reform the rim. You can actually overdo it by bending the nose up too far and produce an overstable driver. "



"Most likely, at this point, R-Pro will be reserved for lighter weight drivers. The grip is terrific, but the impact resistance is not, especially for the heavier versions. If we can find a more impact resistant formula for the heavier drivers, we will make them. Right now, the main point of the R-Pro Boss is to empower weaker throwers to throw longer. For more powerful throwers, they will mainly be for fun, and distance records."



"We are only planning on running lighter weight R-Pro Bosses. The heavier they get, the more fragile they get, and the less carry the have. The most useful for the power disenfranchised players will be from the floater 130's to the 150 class."

About the R-Pro Boss: Finally, the Boss is available for humans! Grippy plastic, great glide, and ginormous go. This is the Boss for players of all levels. Easier to throw, it will add sweet, golden distance to your game. A great uphill driver for more advanced players. Initail weight ranges are 135g to 164g .

Here's a link to Pre-Order R-Pro Boss

TEE-OFFFFFFFF!!!!

145 players tee off today in the United States Amateur Disc Golf Championship
The premier amateur tournament in all of disc golf kicks off this morning in Milford, Michigan as a full field of 145 players compete on the world famous Toboggan course at Kensington Metro Park for the title of 2009 United States Amateur Disc Golf Champion. The excitement and anticipation were high last night at the players dinner and meeting which kicked off the festivities. Master of ceremonies, Mark Ellis addressed the players with words of encouragement before introducing and thanking all of the wonderful volunteer staff members who have gathered here from all over the state of Michigan and beyond.

Stay tuned to PDGA.com throughout the weekend for complete coverage of the event by PDGA Media to include daily stories, up to the minute scoring and photo galleries. The weather forecast calls for perfect conditions with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70's throghout the weekend.
Links:
PDGA Scoreboard - SCORES
USADGC website: http://amnationals.com/

Apologies for not posting

First off I just want to apologize for not posting anything in quite a while. The Bluegrass Open Tournament just took up so much of my time that this went beyond the back burner - it fell off the stove.

Anyway, I'm back and I'll try to keep up with some stuff on here until I go on vacation in a few weeks - yes, I need a vacation - and badly.