Top Pros Tackle Challenging Courses at Hall of Fame Classic
Date Published
The first round of the 2015 Hall of Fame Classic presented by MVP Disc Sports has left fans scratching their heads. With an astonishing 13 competitors in the Open division finishing with scores of 13 under par or better, many are wondering if the "Steady" Ed Headrick Memorial Course is too easy.
However, the course's designer, Chuck Kennedy #4949 and Tom Monroe #33, two renowned disc golf Hall of Famers, would disagree. The heavily wooded county park where the course is situated features narrow fairways, elevation changes, water hazards, and other challenging elements that require skill and strategy to navigate.
The "Steady" Ed course is a blue-level course, not gold-level like the W.R. Jackson Memorial Course, which will be tackled by the Open and Open Women's divisions for Rounds 2 and 3. Despite its rating, the course presents a significant challenge for even the top pros, with scores of 50s or high 40s not uncommon.
The "Steady" Ed Headrick Memorial Course is often cited as one of the most fun and beautiful courses on the IDGC grounds. Its unique design makes it suitable for both experienced players and newcomers to the game. The course's reputation is a testament to the legacy of Ed Headrick, known as the Father of Disc Golf, who emphasized that "The most fun wins!"
As the top pros transition from the "Steady" Ed Course to the W.R. Jackson Memorial Course for Rounds 2 and 3, they will face a much stiffer challenge. The Jackson is considered one of the most difficult courses in the country, designed by legendary course designer John Houck #1688. With its 18 holes measuring 9319 feet and a par of 69, it demands precision planning and execution from even the best players.
The top contenders for the Open division include Matt Dollar #26045 and Will Schusterick #29064, who carded impressive scores of 16 under par in Round 1. They will be joined by Ken Climo #4297 and Barry Schultz #6840 on the lead card, both of whom are just one throw shy of the leaders. Nate Sexton #18824 and Paul McBeth #27523 are close behind, each finishing with a score of 15 under par.
In the Open Women's division, Paige Pierce #29190 leads the pack with a Round 1 score of 57 (seven under par). She will be followed closely by Catrina Allen #44184, Sarah Hokom #34563, and Val Jenkins #17495, all of whom are within striking distance.
Fans can catch up on the action at pdgalive.com, where hole-by-hole scores for the top men's and women's cards will begin posting at approximately 11:30am EDT. Updates, pictures, and videos can also be found via @pdgalive on Twitter and @PDGA on Instagram.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/pros-shred-ed-most-fun-wins