Aussie Disc Golf Champs Bring International Stars Down Under
Date Published
On November 16-17, the picturesque Pine Rivers Park in Queensland, Australia played host to the 2013 Australian Disc Golf Championships. This highly anticipated event drew an impressive field of 76 players from six countries, including the United States, Sweden, South Africa, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) as its first A-tier event in the southern hemisphere, this championship boasted a substantial prize pool exceeding $7000. The course itself, spanning 11,000 feet with 72 par holes, presented a formidable challenge to even the most experienced players. Located on the banks of the South Pine River, just inland from Moreton Bay, the terrain demanded precision, skill, and endurance.
Among the top contenders was Australian Chris Finn, who led the Pro division in the early rounds with an impressive score of 68. However, Jay "Yeti" Reading stole the spotlight with a remarkable performance on the second day, posting a score of 66 to take over the lead. Defending champion Simon Feasey from New Zealand initially performed well but unfortunately succumbed to a debilitating illness, forcing him to withdraw before the final round.
In the thrilling conclusion to the Pro division, Jay Reading's steady play earned him the Australian title, which he had previously relinquished to Jussi Muresma just two years ago. Meanwhile, Chris Finn and Sean Kapalko struggled with errors that cost them valuable ground in their pursuit of the championship.
The Women's division saw Des Reading emerge as a dominant force, gradually building her lead over Sweden's Linda Emanuelsson throughout the weekend. With an 18-throw win, Des secured the top spot, while Jennie Rintala from her first major tournament impressed with her third-place finish, just two throws behind Emanuelsson.
Other notable winners included Patrick Robinson and Cassie Anderson, who claimed the Advanced titles from Geelong, as well as Nigel Hailstone from New Zealand in the Masters division and Hall of Fame member Bob Gentil in the Grand Masters category.
The success of this event marks a significant milestone for disc golf growth in Australia. With new courses being developed and junior programs expanding nationwide, next year's championships in Newcastle, New South Wales promise to be even more spectacular.
For a comprehensive listing of results from the 2013 Australian Disc Golf Championships, click here.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/dg-down-under