Players Cup - Day 1 | Professional Disc Golf Association
Date Published
The 2008 Players Cup, the final PDGA Major of the year, got underway today at the Plantation Inn and Golf Resort in Crystal River, Florida. This prestigious event is now in its fourth year, and it's easy to see why it has become a favorite among disc golf enthusiasts. The tournament director, Mike Barnett, and his team welcomed the 87 competitors with a warm welcome and a delicious player's dinner last night at the Plantation Inn.
The Players Cup features a unique format, with players competing in one round each day over three days on the challenging Par 66 Red Hawk Championship Course. This course is nestled alongside a nine-hole Lagoons ball golf course, offering breathtaking scenery and exciting gameplay. The rolling terrain, lush fairways, and numerous water hazards make for a thrilling experience, while the abundance of alligators and native wildlife adds an extra layer of excitement.
On a beautiful morning with a gentle breeze, the competitors arrived at the course, eager to get underway. In the Open Men's division, 2006 Players Cup champion Avery Jenkins set the tone with an impressive round of 55 (-11), catapulting him into first place ahead of Eric McCabe (58 -8). John E. McCray (-7) and Nate Doss (-6) will join Avery on the lead card for Saturday's second round, along with eight other players within striking distance at -5.
Avery's blistering performance not only earned him a commanding lead but also placed him tied with Ken for the fourth-best rating for courses over 66 SSA. His impressive display of skill and precision is sure to inspire his fellow competitors.
In the Women's division, Valarie Jenkins dominated the field with a stunning round of -2, establishing an eleven-stroke lead over Carrie Burl Berlogar (+9). Valarie's exceptional performance was all the more remarkable, as her 1018-rated round surpassed even the women's record set by Juliana Korver (1003) at Winthrop in 2001. This two-time Women's world champion looks almost unbeatable, with National Tour points series title within reach.
Liz Lopez and Angela Tschiggfrie joined Valarie and Burl Berlogar in the lead group after carding +10 each. The women's competition promises to be an exciting spectacle, with Valarie's impressive display setting the bar high for her fellow competitors.
The second round tees off on Saturday morning with staggered tee times, as the weather is expected to remain cool and breezy in the morning before warming up into a pleasant afternoon. The PDGA has provided extensive media coverage of the event, including a preview video, photo galleries, and live scoring updates.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/players-cup-r1