Amateur Disc Golfer Stuns Field with Come-From-Behind Victory in Next Generation Tour Final

The Next Generation Tour, an amateur-only tour that took place across 12 events in the United States, came to a close with its final tournament in Arvada, Colorado. The event was won by Brian Guice, but it was the story of Jake Peters that stole the show. Peters' incredible performance earned him third place in the final event and, more importantly, secured his spot as the 2016 Next Generation Tour Champion.

The tour, created by 2008 World Champion Dave Feldberg and supported by Latitude 64, features a points series where players can qualify for prizes, including hand-painted trophies and custom disc stamps. To be eligible for the grand prize – a free trip to play disc golf in Europe in 2017 – players needed to attend at least three of the tour's events. The tournament also included professional clinics and celebrity Tournament Directors like 2016 Masters World Champion JohnE McCray.

Going into the final event, Georgia's Kolte Breck was the favorite, with a perfect score of 300 points from his previous wins. Robert Craig from Phoenix, Arizona, was close behind in second place with 270 points. However, after the first day of play, it became clear that Peters had different plans. He carded two eight under pars, putting him in third place and giving himself a chance at the grand prize.

Breck struggled throughout the weekend, shooting himself out of contention. By the time the final round began, Peters had accumulated 259 points and was targeting Robert Craig to take home the prize. Craig started the final round just three strokes behind Peters, with Peters needing to finish two places ahead of him to secure the grand prize.

The tension was palpable as The Disc Golf Guy filmed the lead card's performance on site. With the crowd cheering him on, Peters finished strong, sinking four birdies in a row during his final round. His perfectly placed drive to the 18th hole's small island green allowed him to knock down a crucial 20-foot birdie putt, giving him a final score of 73 and securing third place for the event.

However, this was not enough; Peters needed more to edge out Robert Craig and earn the grand prize. His score locked up the third-place spot, but more importantly, it put him just ahead of Craig in the points series. With his clutch performance on the final hole, Peters secured a one-stroke victory and earned himself the trip to Europe.

"I am honored to be crowned the 2016 Next Generation Tour Champion," said an elated Peters. "To walk away with this victory after traveling thousands of miles across the United States is truly mind-blowing."

The Next Generation Tour's final event ended on a high note, with a thrilling finish that showcased the talent and determination of its young amateur players. For Peters, it was an incredible achievement that he will cherish forever.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/next-generation-tour-sends-player-europe-after-nail-biting-finish-colorado