Thrilling Finishes at Canadian Nationals | Professional Disc Golf Association

Thunder Bay, nestled on the northern shore of Lake Superior, has long been a melting pot of cultures and communities. In July 2023, this vibrant city played host to the Canadian National Disc Golf Championships, attracting hundreds of top-notch players from across North America.

As the event shifted from its previous location in Prince Edward Island, organizers were aware that they had big shoes to fill. However, Thunder Bay's picturesque courses, pristine natural surroundings, and warm hospitality proved to be more than up to the task.

The competition was fierce in both the Professional Women's (FPO) and Men's Pro (MPO) divisions. In FPO, Raven Klein from Minnesota was looking to break a streak of Canadian women being shut out of their own national title since 2018. She faced stiff competition from top-rated Canadians Colleen McInnes and Karen Martel, as well as newcomer Irina Shakhova. Despite a commanding lead going into the final round, Klein found herself tied for first with McInnes after 18 holes. The two players then engaged in a nail-biting sudden-death playoff, which ultimately saw Klein emerge victorious on the back of an inspired performance.

Meanwhile, in MPO, reigning champion Thomas Gilbert from Ontario was expected to defend his title. However, it was 16-year-old Kalan Schat who stole the show in round one, birdying the final 15 holes and taking a six-stroke lead over Gilbert and other top contenders. By the final hole, five players were still in contention for the win, including Casey Hanemayer from BC. In the end, Hanemayer's clutch performance saw him sink a crucial putt on the island green to take home his first national title.

Organizers Chris Ozolins and his team were thrilled with the event's success, praising the enthusiastic support of local residents, sponsors, and players alike. As Ozolins noted, "Thunder Bay was an absolute gem – we can't wait to bring Nationals back here someday soon."

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/thrilling-finishes-canadian-nationals