2009 Disc Golf Hall of Fame Classic
2009 Disc Golf Hall of Fame Classic
Farina Headrick unveils a bronze bust of "Steady Ed Headrick at the Hall of Fame Classic
Hall of Fame Classic Photo Gallery
The Disc Golf Hall of Fame Classic was created in 2003 for the inaugural PDGA National Tour to recognize and thank all of the distinguished members of the Hall of Fame, who have done so much to get the sport to where it is today. On May 30-31, 2009, one hundred and fifty one PDGA members converged on the International Disc Golf Center for the 2009 Hall of Fame Classic. The event, which takes place every other year, had been a National Tour event in its first three years but was sanctioned this year as a SuperTour event.
The weekend started off with random draw doubles on Friday afternoon followed by a cookout for all players at the Dan "Stork" Roddick pavilion, presented by the Atlanta Disc Golf Organization in honor of Jim Warner. Jim was an Atlanta area player and promoter who passed away several years ago. As a lasting tribute to his memory, his family and the Atlanta club raised $25,000 to name the course in his honor, and his ashes were interred into the tee pads.
On Saturday morning, the players gathered at the entrance to the new Jim Warner Memorial Course for the official opening. On hand to perform the ribbon cutting were Jim's widow, Priscilla Warner, and his mother Dorothy Wentz, who traveled all the way from Wisconsin to attend the ceremony. The Warner course, which was presented by Discraft and designed by Hall of Famer Jim Kenner, received rave reviews from the players and is a great addition to the two other championship courses at the IDGC.
Dorothy Wentz & Priscilla Warner at the entrance to the Warner Course
Following round two on Saturday afternoon, all of the tournament participants and guests were invited into the International Disc Golf Center clubhouse for the unveiling of a bronze bust of "Steady" Ed Headrick, which will grace his memorial museum. Special guests, Farina Headrick and Josh Orzech were in attendance to represent the DGA, who commissioned the bust with funds from the memorial disc sets, that contain Ed's ashes. The feeling inside the clubhouse was electric as Josh spoke about Ed and his contributions to the game and the PDGA. Following his inspiring words, Farina Headrick unveiled the bust to deafening applause before giving the bust a gentle kiss. A barbecue dinner in honor of all Hall of Famers followed the unveiling ceremony and a good time was had by all.
Farina Headrick poses with the bust of her late husband, "Steady" Ed
In conjunction with the event, a silent auction took place on Saturday afternoon and evening with all proceeds going to benefit the Disc Golf Hall of Fame. Many rare and valuable collectibles were donated for the auction by hall of famers around the country and were available to be bid on throughout the day. The auction was organized and run by Hall of Fame director, Al "Speedy" Guerrero, who was also on hand with gifts for the Hall of Famers in attendance.
PDGA SuperTour
With the flurry of activities that went on all weekend it was almost easy to forget that there was also a SuperTour event being contested with many hall of famers and world ranked players in attendance.
In the Open division current world champion David Feldberg entered the final-9 with a three throw advantage over Kris Orrick of Knoxville, TN with JohnE McCray and young Will Schusterick just behind. Orrick played some great golf while Feldberg struggled and after 8 holes Orrick held a two throw advantage over Feldberg with one hole remaining. Hole 9 on the Warner course is a 552 foot slightly downhill monster with trouble on both sides of the fairway. With the two throw lead, Orrick steps up to the tee and throws a very conservative 300' drive looking to stay in the fairway and close out the event, but his throw drifted right and caught the right edge of the fairway. Having nothing to lose, Feldberg steps up and blasts a long turning drive that helixed at the right moment leaving him in the middle of the fairway and and about 100 feet short of the basket. Orrick's second shot caught trees directly in front of him and fell to the ground just 30 or 40 feet further down the fairway. His third shot looked better but also caught trees as it began to hyzer left towards the green leaving him just inside of Feldbergs lie. Feldberg made a run for deuce but was happy to settle for a birdie 3 putting the pressure on Orrick, who missed his attempt and bogeyed the hole with a 5 to send the match into sudden death. The two advanced to hole 10 of the Warner course for the playoff and after four extra holes, it was Kris Orrick coming out on top with his first ever SuperTour win.
Kris Orrick drives on hole 3 of the Jim Warner Memorial Course
In the Womens division, PDGA rookie of the year, Sarah Stanhope entered the final-9 with a 3 throw lead over Courtney (Peavy) McCoy. The two ladies battled it out and after eight holes it was all knotted up with just hole 9 remaining. Courtney made a good run at it but had trouble on the last hole and took a double bogey six, while Sarah Stanhope carded a par 4 to win the event.
Sarah Stanhope putts on the Jim Warner Memorial Course
Brad Hammock won the Masters division over Brock Woodall and David Greenwell. Hall of famers Alan Beaver and Snapper Pierson battled all weekend but it was Beaver coming out on top by two strokes to win the Grandmasters division.
Amateur division winners were Darrell Lambrecht in advanced, Matt Flynn in advanced master, David Walters in advanced senior grandmaster, Franklin Duarte in intermediate, Rick Rumsey in recreational men, and Tabitha Simon in recreational women.