Masters Cup Drama Unfolds at DeLaveaga Disc Golf Course

The third day of the 27th Annual "Steady" Ed Memorial Masters Cup presented by DGA was a true test of skill and determination for the competitors at the prestigious tournament held on the demanding DeLaveaga Disc Golf Course in Santa Cruz, California. The morning started off cool and clear, but as the sun rose higher in the sky, the competition began to heat up.

The Senior Grandmasters division saw Dr. Rick Voakes of Bowling Green, Kentucky secure his third consecutive win with a four-over 85 across the challenging 27-hole course. Tom Schot, the renowned course designer from Capitola, California, had an off day but still managed to finish in second place, ten throws ahead of Jeffrey Brown from San Diego, California.

The Grandmaster (50+) division was a closely contested battle, with J. Michael Barry of Los Osos, California taking the lead away from Doug Werner of Fremont, California. However, Werner fought back on the final hole, carding a remarkable Birdie 2 to force a tie and send the competition into sudden-death overtime. Despite valiant efforts, Werner ultimately succumbed to J. Michael's par, securing his spot as the Grandmaster winner.

The Master's (40+) division also witnessed intense drama, with John Baldwin of Scotts Valley, California holding a two-throw lead at one point only to be overtaken by Patrick Brown from San Francisco. The two players matched each other throw-for-throw over the next seven holes, while Phil Arthur from Woodstock, Georgia made a strong surge, catching up to the leaders on the final hole. Ultimately, it was John Baldwin who emerged victorious in the sudden-death playoff, edging out Patrick Brown with a par.

The FPO (Female Professional) division saw Sara Hokom of Caldwell, Idaho dominate the competition, maintaining her lead throughout the round despite challenges from Catrina Allen and Val Jenkins. Kathy Collins of Grass Valley, California had an impressive third round, carding an outstanding one-over 82 to finish fourth on the lead card.

In the Men's Open division, Paul McBeth from Phoenix, Arizona stole the show with a remarkable hot round, recording 13 under par to take home his second National Tour title of the year. Nate Doss from Capitola, California secured second place, while Will Shusterick from Nashville, Tennessee took third.

The tournament also featured an exciting freestyle session led by Ken Climo, Magnus Petersen, and local Tom Sahlit. Prior to the divisional awards, special recognition was given to Dave "Daviar" Thomas for his exceptional volunteer work and mentoring, as well as the Jenkins family, who received the DGA "Steady" Ed Memorial Trophy for their lifetime achievements and dedication to the sport.

The success of the tournament can be attributed to the tireless efforts of Tournament Director TJ Goodwin, his team, and a large number of dedicated volunteers. The presenting sponsor, the Disc Golf Association, played a crucial role in ensuring the event's smooth execution.

One notable innovation at this year's Masters Cup was the live scoring system displayed on a large flat-panel TV at Tournament Central, allowing spectators to track scores and lead cards in real-time. This feature proved to be a hit with players and spectators alike, providing an unparalleled level of engagement and excitement throughout the tournament.

As the PDGA National Tour Elite Series continues with its next event, the 30th Annual Kansas City Wide Open, fans can look forward to more thrilling disc golf action in just under two weeks.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/13-under