Windy Conditions Test Disc Golfers in Oklahoma's Green Country Open
Date Published
The unpredictable weather conditions that are synonymous with Oklahoma lived up to their reputation at the PDGA National Tour's Green Country Open in Pawhuska. Steady 20-30 mph winds tested the skills of 105 top players from around the world, pushing them to adapt and innovate on both courses - Island and Mocassin Creek.
Nate Doss proved himself to be one of the most wind-resistant competitors with exceptional scores on both days. His morning round of 51 (-7) on the Island course was impressive, but it was his afternoon performance that left everyone in awe, as he shot a scorching 51 (-10) on Mocassin Creek. Doss's -17 total put him four throws ahead of Jeff Layland, Devan Owens, and Paul Ulibarri, who are tied at -13 after the first day.
In the Women's division, Valarie Jenkins continued her remarkable play from last year with a consistent performance. She carded 64 (+3) on Mocassin Creek and 59 (+1) on the Island course to establish a five-stroke lead over Des Reading (+9). Liz Lopez is in third place at +12, proving that her outstanding rookie season in 2008 was no fluke.
Okie Mitch McClellan showcased his expertise of handling windy conditions common in Oklahoma by posting a -7 total on the day. This impressive feat puts him into a tie for the lead with Jeff Fiedler after two rounds. The Grandmaster division saw Daryl Johnson assert himself as the leader, five strokes ahead of Jack Tefertiller.
Tournament directors Joe Rotan and Mike Treat deserve recognition for organizing an exceptional event, their second National Tour stop in Oklahoma and first at the Lodge in Pawhuska. Players were treated to top-notch hospitality, including delicious meals, live music, and a spectacular fireworks display on Saturday night.
The third and final round of the Green Country Open will take place on Sunday morning with tee times commencing at 8:30 am. All divisions will tackle the challenging Island course, while the Women's Open division leaders will tee off at 12:50 pm, followed closely by the Men's Open division leaders at 1:15 pm.
As the players face a forecast of strong and consistent winds with scattered thunderstorms, the competition is expected to be intense. Live scoring updates and an event wrap-up story can be accessed on PDGA.com, along with photo galleries from the tournament.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/green-country-day-1