Disc Golf Phenomenon Takes Center Stage at Vibram Open

The excitement was palpable as the Vibram Open got underway on Friday at the iconic Maple Hill course in Vermont. The first singles rounds kicked off at 7:30 AM with perfect weather conditions, featuring sunshine and temperatures in the mid-80s. The world-class course, which has seen its fair share of ice storms and harsh winters, was surprisingly in pristine shape, despite some damage from a nasty ice storm earlier in the year.

The Maple Hill course is renowned for its challenging layout, featuring six pro par-four holes, including the infamous 12th hole that stretches over 860 feet through dense woods. The course has a scratch scoring average of 64 and boasts a gold-level par-62 rating. By mid-morning, Charlie Holmgren had taken an early lead with a score of 61, but shortly after lunch, John Fowler posted a remarkable 58, followed closely by Steve Brinster's incredible 56.

However, the real showstopper was yet to come. Jeremy Koling's bogey-free round for 17 holes left him in second place, until disaster struck on the final hole when he recorded a bogey five. Meanwhile, Barry Schultz was making waves with an outrageous front-nine score of 22, featuring six birdies and three pars. His start sent shockwaves around the course, tournament central, and online communities following live coverage.

As the day unfolded, Schultz continued to dominate, carding deuces on holes 13-15 and a birdie on the 12th hole. With a score that would eventually reach 49, an unheard-of -13 under par, Schultz was setting his sights on a new course record. His unofficial round rating of 1101 puts him in elite company, joining only a handful of disc golfers to have achieved such a feat.

In the Open Women's division, Elaine King and Val Jenkins were neck-and-neck with scores of 65 apiece, while Sarah Stanhope trailed closely behind at 67. In the Pro Grand Masters category, Dean Pfeifer's strong round of 59 earned him a three-throw lead over Eric Vandenberg.

The Vibram Open continues to make waves, with live scoring, video feed, commentary, and player interviews keeping fans engaged. Follow along with live updates on PDGA & NEFA discussion boards, Twitter, and Facebook for the latest news from Maple Hill.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/vibram-open-friday