King is Queen Again
Mixed emotions of joy and sadness fell on the 60 women who competed in this year's United States Women's Disc Golf Championships in Peoria, Illinois. The last few days in September have been deemed "the women's weekend of disc golf," as this PDGA Major event has taken place for the past six years. Mom and Old Man Wallis have fearlessly forged forward with help from the Peoria Frisbee Club in making this a truly unique event and this year was no different.
"Mom and Old Man" have had a great run with the USWDGC
As always, the Wallis' listened to the feedback from the previous year's events. They realized that the women like playing together on the same course at the same time so they implemented that change for this year's event. All divisions played the same course from the same tees which assured accurate round ratings. The schedule had women playing two rounds at Northwood on Friday, two rounds at ICC on Saturday, and one round at McNaughton on Sunday. A staggered start final nine was held on Sunday afternoon for the top four competitions in each division.
Elaine King immediately jumped out to the lead on Friday morning. Her round of 48 (6 under par) was unofficially rated a 999 round. Carrie "Burl" Berlogar and the rest of the field were not about to let King run away with it and by the end of the day Burl had a one stroke lead after 36 holes of competition. Burl, King, Des Reading, and Angela Tschiggfrie had scores of 99, 100, 101, and 102 respectively. This was a tight race and it was anyone's title to claim.
Elaine King's play in the woods was the difference.
Apparently both King and Burl enjoy the heavily wooded, technical course at ICC because that is where they distanced themselves from the rest of the field and never looked back. King shot a pair of 53's which gave her a four stroke advantage heading into Sunday's final 27 holes. The top five open women shot very impressive scores hovering around par on Sunday morning. The final nine holes was a great display of golf but again, no moves were made and Elaine King became a 2 time champion.
To my surprise the most rambunctious group of women were the two cards of Pro Masters and Pro Grandmasters. Every time I approached them they were in good spirits, joking, laughing, and giving me a hard time. They were also responsible for most of the cheering heard half way across the park.
The event started with five masters and three grandmasters but Vanessa Chambers had to withdraw after Friday's competition due to back pain. For the remainder of the event she graciously walked along with other groups as a score keeper and spotter. In the Pro Masters division, Lisa Warner of Columbus, Ohio took an early lead and never surrendered it. Sheila Kirkham of Albuquerque, New Mexico gave her a scare in the final 27 holes but Warner was the lefty that finally prevailed.
Kathy Hardyman seems like her run could last a while.
Kathy Hardyman (aka Disc Diva) is no stranger to winning big events. A few months earlier she claimed her second Grandmasters World Title and now her sights were set on the US Women's Grandmasters title. Sharon Jenkins and Vicky Wisecup could not compete with Hardyman's stellar performance, but this group of women was not concerned about scores. They cared about having the most fun and they certainly succeeded at that.
The stage was set for a dramatic finish in the advanced division and that is exactly what happened. Melynda Apton of Penfield, New York grabbed an early lead on Friday but struggled during rounds three and four at ICC. Sandra Frazer, Jenny Garland, and Melissa Martin were in a three way tie heading into the final nine holes on Sunday afternoon. As so many of the Frazer women have done before, Sandra was able to seal the deal bring home the title. Her score of 31 during the final nine was the two stroke difference from Garland who shot 33 and edged out Martin who shot 35.
Unfortunately there were only two competitors in the advanced masters division this year. Karen Jaskolka of Huntsville, Alabama was able to hold of Marie Fry after five rounds. When asked if they wanted to compete in the final nine they both looked at me and said, "We've played enough golf". Look for Karen and her husband at future events because they are your host for next year's USWDGC.
There was a constant battle in the Intermediate division as Kelsey Wilmerding and Krista Dowlin sea-sawed back and forth through out the weekend. Wilmerding had built an 11 stroke cushion but struggled during the final round at the long McNaugton course. Dowlin immediately took advantage and narrowed the gap to just one stroke going into the final nine. Dowlin bested the other three finalists by six strokes and cruised home to a five stroke victory.
Rebecca Frazer versus Rebecca Cox was the story in the Junior under 16 division. In fact, both of the competitors were just 11 years old but their final scores would have earned them first and second place respectively in the intermediate division. These young women throw with grace and consistency and both of them will be a force to reckon with as they wreak havoc through the divisions in upcoming years. Frazer won this time but I know this is not the last battle we will see between the two of them.
This event is about disc golf but it is also includes the little amenities that everyone has grown to love. This year was no exception as Mom and Old Man arranged for scorekeepers for every group, free lunches all three days, a discount at the local comedy club, and a player's party at their house on Saturday night. A few women put together a nice plaque which recognizes and thanks the Wallis' and the Peoria Frisbee Club for six wonderful years as hosts of the USWDGC.
As my third consecutive year as the PDGA Marshal I can only repeat what Elaine King said after winning in 2005 which was, "Women have more fun". From my perspective it seems like the only people that can be disappointed about the 2007 USWDGC are the women who did not attend. Normally I would say congratulations to all of the winners but with this event I think it is appropriate to congratulate all of the participants! See you next year in Huntsville, Alabama!