Nine Am Worlds Champions Crowned in Charlotte | Professional Disc Golf Association
Date Published
**TITLE:** Thrilling Finishes at 2018 Am Worlds: Champions Crowned in Bittersweet Conclusion
**META_TITLE:** 2018 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships Recap and Winners
**META_DESCRIPTION:** Find out who emerged victorious in the 2018 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships. Discover the thrilling finishes, surprising upsets, and dominating performances that crowned new champions at Renaissance Park in Charlotte.
**ARTICLE:**
The 2018 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships concluded on a bittersweet note as semifinal rounds were played in the morning, followed by exciting finals matches for those fortunate enough to make the cut. The Am Worlds staff and Charlotte's disc golf community collaborated to create a smooth and enjoyable experience, transforming what could have been a chaotic day into a tranquil one.
The championships featured numerous gripping stories, including divisions that required a nine-hole final showdown to determine a winner after playing over 120 holes throughout the five-day competition.
At Renaissance Park, the Advanced division took center stage as Luke Humphries secured his second PDGA Major win of the year with a commanding 14-stroke victory. Humphries' dominance was evident from start to finish, solidifying his position as a top contender in the world of disc golf.
In the Am Masters Women 60+ (FA60) and Am Masters 70+ (MA70) divisions, Donna Stanley and Donald Parker respectively claimed their titles without much opposition by the time they reached the finals. Stanley's impressive lead of 13 strokes and Parker's eight-stroke advantage made it a relatively easy victory for both champions.
However, not all battles were as one-sided. The Am Masters 60+ division witnessed an intense four-way contest with final scores of 411, 412, 413, and 415 after the Final 9 loop. Mark Hauser emerged victorious, shooting an even-par 29 in the finals to secure his win.
Jennifer Costa edged out Caryn Shearer in a sudden-death playoff for her victory in the Am Masters Women 50+ (FA50) division, while Bill Cary took home the title in Am Masters 50+ (MA50) by holding off Jerry Dobbins by two strokes. Mark Huether and April Gilliam left no doubt about their dominance in MA40 and FA40, respectively, winning by significant margins of 13 and 18.
The Advanced Women's division was a highly anticipated matchup, with Deann Donaldson, Valarie Mandujano, Alexis Mandujano, and Christine Jennings trading scores throughout the competition. Despite trailing to Valarie Mandujano for three rounds, both Donaldson and Alexis Mandujano found themselves tied with Valarie after submitting their semifinal scores.
However, Alexis quickly took control on the opening hole of the Final 9 and never relinquished her lead. By playing cautiously through the temporary holes on the back nine, she avoided bogeys and maintained a significant gap between herself and the competition. Alexis sealed her victory by tapping in on the final hole, securing her title as Advanced Women's world champion with a two-stroke margin over Deann Donaldson and a three-stroke lead over Valarie Mandujano.
Congratulations to all 2018 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Champions, and thank you to everyone who participated and supported this event.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/nine-am-worlds-champions-crowned-charlotte