The Masses in Michigan | Professional Disc Golf Association
Date Published
The 22nd Annual Discraft Michigan State Championships took center stage last weekend in Mason County, MI, drawing an impressive 440 competitors across seven courses over two days. This highly anticipated event is the world's largest B Tier tournament for the fifth consecutive year, and it shattered previous attendance records with a whopping 440 participants – exceeding last year's 397.
The festivities began on Friday with the Last Chance Qualifier, where 140 eager disc golfers gathered to vie for their spot in the main tournament. As the amateur pools filled up, a warm-up doubles event and registration kept staff busy well into the evening. Tournament Director Jeff Schwass and his team of six Assistant TDs and Course Directors convened late at night to discuss the event's massive popularity.
The highly anticipated pro division kicked off on Saturday with a 10am shotgun start on six courses. The legendary Leviathan black tees proved to be the turning point, as scores revealed a tight competition. Tim Barham took an initial lead, but Jared Roan and fellow contenders Jamie Mosier and Geoff Bennett soon closed in. However, Roan's impressive performance on the afternoon round at Flip City DGC propelled him into first place.
The pro division final showdown unfolded on Sunday at Mason County Park's Goliath course, where Roan dominated with a blistering -12 score, securing a two-throw victory over Tim Barham and claiming his first Michigan championship. In the women's competition, Sarah DeMar edged out Lori Mullen by a mere two throws after a thrilling third round on the same courses.
The Pro Women division witnessed an intense battle between Discraft team member Sarah DeMar and Lori Mullen, with DeMar ultimately emerging victorious in the final round. The top four pros then participated in the traditional 9-hole safari skins match, which saw a $1000 purse awarded to the winners.
In addition to Roan's historic win, other notable titles were claimed by:
* Master: Daymon Pugh
* Grandmaster: Jeff Schropp
* Advanced: Reid Frescura and Samantha Socia
* Advanced Master: Todd Tracy and Molly Galbraith
* Advanced Grandmaster: Craig Clingan
* Advanced Senior Grandmaster: Dave Hamilton
* Intermediate: Rick Little and Kaylee Campbell
* Recreational: Bud Parrish
* Juniors 1: Wade Grost
* Juniors 2: Paul Jean
The 22nd Annual Discraft Michigan State Championships truly lived up to its reputation as one of the premier disc golf events in the world, showcasing exceptional talent and unwavering dedication from competitors and staff alike.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/the-masses-in-michigan