Teen Prodigy Takes Home USADGC Title in Dominant Performance
Date Published
Anthony Barela's meteoric rise to disc golf stardom continued at the 2015 United States Amateur Disc Golf Championship, where he dominated the competition to take home his first major title. At just 15 years old, Barela became the second youngest champion in USADGC history, breaking records and defying expectations along the way.
Barela's impressive performance was evident from the start, as he carded an eagle on the uphill par five Hole 2 and a birdie on the 915' par four downhill Hole 3. He continued to gain ground on his nearest rival, Matthew Kashima, eventually building a lead that would prove insurmountable.
As the tournament progressed, Barela's consistency and skill shone through, with seven pars, seven birdies, one eagle, and two bogeys over the course of the three rounds. He tapped in for par on the final hole to seal his victory, finishing 22 under par – a new record that surpassed the previous holder by two strokes.
One week earlier, the same layout had been used at the Discraft Great Lakes Open (DGLO), where Ben Calloway and Paul Ulibarri had finished just one throw apart. While it's impossible to know for certain how Barela would have fared in both events, his performance suggests that he would have been a strong contender.
Barela's impressive score was all the more remarkable considering the challenging weather conditions faced by competitors at the DGLO. His achievement is a testament to his skill and determination as a young disc golfer.
Other notable performers at the USADGC included Izak McDonald, who finished in second place alongside Kashima, just five throws off the lead. DJ Baldwin, another 15-year-old prodigy, matched Barela's final round score to jump from third card to fourth place overall.
The weekend's events were a testament to the growing talent and diversity of young disc golf players. As one observer noted, it was like watching the top pros – and this is exactly what the future holds for the sport.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the tournament staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event possible. Their hard work paid off in a thrilling and action-packed weekend of disc golf.
The high-resolution photos from the 2015 USADGC are available on the PDGA Flickr page, offering a glimpse into the excitement and drama of the competition.
In one memorable moment, Barela showcased his fearless attitude by attempting a 360 backhand drive off the tee on Hole 17, taking on the strong headwind head-on. It's moments like these that remind us why Anthony Barela is considered one of the brightest young stars in disc golf.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/anthony-barela-wins-2015-usadgc-authority