Dynamic Duo Reigns Supreme at 2016 Pro Worlds Mixed Doubles
Date Published
The first-ever National Disc Golf Day celebration kicked off on a momentous occasion - the opening day of the 2016 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. The main event was just around the corner, but the excitement began with the inaugural Pro Worlds Mixed Doubles competition at Jones Park (East) in Emporia, Kansas.
Twenty-seven teams took to the tee under less-than-ideal conditions, braving overcast skies and eventually constant rainfall that made the slippery tee pads, fairways, and greens a challenging obstacle. The Modified Best Shot Doubles format added an extra layer of complexity, but it didn't seem to faze the top contenders.
Paige Pierce, ranked #29190, and Jeremy Koling, ranked #33705, proved unbeatable on their first outing, finishing with 14 birdies and just one bogey. Their impressive score of 13 under par gave them a comfortable cushion heading into a brighter and sunnier second round in the afternoon.
The competition was far from over, however. The husband-and-wife duo of Nate Doss (#11794) and Val Jenkins (#17495), as well as teammates Sarah Hokom (#34563) and JohnE McCray (#9852), pushed the leaders to their limits with nine under par scores of their own. The cards stacked up in favor of a thrilling showdown, and the decision was made to make the lead card into a three-team battle.
As the sun broke through the clouds, the conditions improved significantly, but the Modified Alternate Shot format introduced a new level of complexity. In this format, teammates alternate who tees off, reducing any potential advantage one team might have if the same person were to tee off on multiple holes in a row.
The back-and-forth pattern between the three teams continued all the way down to the last hole, with each team trading blows and neither gaining much ground on the leaders. The turning point came on Hole 10, a challenging downhill par 3, where Paige Pierce unleashed a powerful anhyzer driver.
In a stunning display of skill, Paige followed up her incredible drive by sinking a birdie putt on the final hole, securing their second consecutive Pro Worlds Mixed Doubles title with a three-stroke victory over Nate and Val. The win marked another remarkable achievement for the dynamic duo, who will be looking to continue their winning streak in the days to come.
As the first-ever National Disc Golf Day comes to a close, organizers are already planning for next year's celebration. With the help of social media, the event has gained momentum, and the disc golf community can't wait to see what the future holds. The 2016 Pro Worlds Mixed Doubles champions have set the bar high, but there's no doubt that the competition will continue to grow and improve in the years to come.
The remaining field events, including Long Drive, Putting, Skill Shot, and Mini Golf, take place at the Emporia Middle School starting at 10am CDT tomorrow. Don't miss out on the action - download the 2016 Pro Worlds app for up-to-the-minute information and stay tuned for more coverage throughout the week.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/2016proworlds/pierce-and-koling-win-second-straight-mixed-doubles-title-first-ever-national-disc-golf-day