Amateurs Reign Supreme at Thrilling 2018 PDGA Worlds
Date Published
The final day of the 2018 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships was filled with thrilling moments and nail-biting finishes at Renaissance Park in Charlotte. The Am Worlds staff and the local disc golf community had worked tirelessly to create a seamless experience for the competitors, making the day feel like a leisurely stroll through the park.
In several divisions, the championships came down to a nine-hole finals showdown, showcasing the exceptional skill and determination of the top players. Among these were the Amateur Masters Women 60+ (FA60) and the Amateur Masters 70+ (MA70) divisions, where Donna Stanley and Donald Parker, respectively, claimed their world championship titles with ease.
The Amateur Masters 60+ division saw a closely contested four-way battle, with Mark Hauser ultimately emerging victorious by shooting an even-par 29 for the finals. Meanwhile, Jennifer Costa edged out Caryn Shearer in a sudden-death playoff to take home the title in the Am. Masters Women 50+ (FA50) division.
The Am. Masters 50+ (MA50) and FA40 divisions also witnessed tight finishes, with Bill Cary holding off Jerry Dobbins by two strokes, while April Gilliam dominated the competition in FA40. Mark Huether's commanding lead secured his victory in MA40.
The Advanced division crowned Luke Humphries as its champion, who had dominated the competition throughout the event and secured a 14-stroke victory. His second PDGA Major win of the year capped off an impressive performance.
In the much-anticipated Advanced Women's division, Deann Donaldson, Valarie Mandujano, Alexis Mandujano, and Christine Jennings engaged in an exciting back-and-forth battle for the top spot. Despite trailing for three rounds, both Donaldson and Alexis Mandujano came into the Final 9 tied with Valarie Mandujano one stroke behind.
However, Alexis quickly took the lead on the opening hole and never relinquished it, playing a safe game through the temporary holes to secure her title as Advanced Women's world champion. With a two-stroke advantage over Deann Donaldson and a three-stroke gap between her and Valarie Mandujano, Alexis tapped in on the final hole to seal her victory.
Congratulations are in order for all the 2018 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Champions, and we extend our gratitude to everyone who participated in this thrilling event.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/nine-am-worlds-champions-crowned-charlotte