Disc Golf Legends Gather for Brent Hambrick Memorial Open
Date Published
The PDGA National Tour is set to kick off its second half of the schedule this weekend with the prestigious Brent Hambrick Memorial Open in Columbus, Ohio. Taking place on July 11th and 12th at the renowned Hoover Reservoir courses, the event will attract some of the world's top disc golfers, including two-time defending champion Brad Schick.
Schick, who boasts a 1020 rating and an impressive consistent record over the past decade, will face stiff competition from notable players such as Nate Doss, Avery Jenkins, Dave Feldberg, Ken Franks, and Eric McCabe. Doss has already won twice on the PDGA National Tour this season, while Jenkins is looking to build momentum after a strong performance at the last event.
On the women's side, defending champion Des Reading will look to repeat her 2008 victory, but she'll have to contend with a talented field that includes Val Jenkins and Hall-of-Famer Elaine King. King has been on fire this season, having won all four events she's played in the women's open division.
The Brent Hambrick Memorial Open is more than just a competitive event; it's also a tribute to the late Brent Hambrick, who passed away from leukemia in 1997. The tournament was established to honor his memory and raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Over the past 12 years, the BHMO has raised an impressive $32,000 for the charity.
According to Dan Busick, a former tournament director of the event, the idea for the BHMO came about after Hambrick's passing. "We wanted to keep his legacy alive," said Busick. "So we started running this event in 1997, and it's been a huge success ever since." The inaugural event featured a field of 120 players from around the country, including Hall-of-Famers David Greenwell and Fred Salaz.
As the PDGA National Tour continues to grow and evolve, events like the Brent Hambrick Memorial Open remain an essential part of its fabric. Not only do they showcase the skills and camaraderie of disc golf's top players, but also highlight the sport's commitment to giving back to the community. For live scoring, video highlights, and reporting from this weekend's event, fans can tune in to pdga.com.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/hambrick-memorial-preview