Hawk Hollow Open Sees Dramatic Shift in Leaderboard
Date Published
This year's Hawk Hollow Open in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, was a true test of skill and endurance for its 49 pro participants. The field boasted an impressive mix of talent, with 21 Open players, 4 professional women, 14 Masters, and 10 Grandmasters taking on the grueling course.
The Hawk Hollow layout, spanning 8,089 feet across a working cow farm, is notorious for its creek-lined fairways and unforgiving terrain. Players must carefully navigate their discs to avoid costly throws into the water or ricochets off fence lines, making it a rare feat to complete a clean round without at least one errant shot.
On Saturday morning, newcomer Tighe Holden emerged as the leader after posting an impressive 54 on the opening day. However, his lead was short-lived, as two-time Hawk Hollow Open Champion Erik Smith surged ahead with a 55 in the second round, taking over the top spot.
The players' physical and mental demands were evident throughout the weekend, but they took time to rest and recharge during the Saturday night festivities. A delicious dinner hosted by Vegan Ray Parrish featured smoked turkey, John Biscoe's famous mashed potatoes, and other delectable treats. The evening also brought much-anticipated excitement with a hot pepper eating contest, adding an extra layer of camaraderie to the event.
On Sunday morning, the players returned to the course for the final round, facing cool temperatures and clear skies. Despite fatigue setting in, Stephen Miller made his move, posting a low score of 55 to propel himself into first place by two shots over Erik Smith. The top four MPOs went head-to-head on the final nine holes, with Miller emerging victorious after shooting a three-under-par 29.
Miller's win marked his second Hawk Hollow Open title and solidified his position as one of the tournament's top performers. Other winners included Pro Woman Becky Sonnheim, Pro Master Tom Kim, and Pro Grandmaster Chris Hysell.
So, what sets this C-tier event apart from others? Is it the treacherous terrain, the physical challenges on each hole, or the mental push to take risks and aim for par? Perhaps it's the high level of competition required to even cash at Hawk Hollow – players must average between 995 and 1,000 rated golf to make the cut. Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: this tournament will continue to be a test of skill and endurance for years to come.
For a complete breakdown of results and photos from the event, visit pdga.com and check out the PDGATour Flickr page.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/hot-scores-at-hawk-hollow