Over 240 disc golfers battled the Charlotte summer heat and eight top-notch courses on June 25th and 26th at the 2nd Annual Charlotte Amateur Championship.

A year from now as the 2012 PDGA Professional and Amateur World Championships come to Charlotte these same courses will be testing the best disc golfers in the world, many of whom will surely be local
players.

Charlotte resident Brad Ramsey (-19) had no problem navigating the advanced men's courses of Renaissance, Eastway, Nevin, and Hornet's Nest parks. Ramsey, who finished behind another local Paul Priest at the Carolina Clash, ended up beating second place Priest by two strokes. Also in the hunt were Michael Baranowski (-13) and Will Taylor (-10).

Ramsey said he was right at home with each round's courses. He even had a skip ace on hole #3 during the final round at Hornet's Nest. “I play those courses a lot. They definitely are a regular stomping ground for me … It was just like playing another round of golf,” said Ramsey, who lives near Renaissance Park.

After several near misses at North Carolina tournaments, he said he was happy to finally put together an entire weekend of good golf. Doing it in your own backyard certainly was sweet for Ramsey. “I don't think it's quite sunk in yet. I think it will, though,” he said with a big smile.

In advanced women, Stephanie Miller, of Carrboro, N.C., took home the trophy after beating local Casey Schoonover by four strokes. She held on after having the lead after Saturday.

Other division winners include:

Advanced masters: John Rochester, of Charlotte
Advanced grandmasters: Mark Beasley, of Charlotte
Intermediate men: 13-year-old Aaron Doyle, of North Augusta, SC
Intermediate women: Amber Snow, of Chattanooga, TN
Recreational: Brian Starnes, of Cornelius, NC
Junior Boys: Jonathan Pfeiffer, of Charlotte

Log onto Charlottedgc.com for details on the Charlotte Amateur Championships and the 2012 PDGA Pro/Am World Championships.