World Champions Push On Despite Torrential Rain and Gusty Winds in Vermont

The 2019 PDGA Pro Masters Disc Golf World Championships got underway in Vermont on Tuesday, but the tournament's early stages were marked by some of the worst playing conditions many competitors have ever faced. The wind was fierce and rain lashed down on the two courses at Smugglers' Notch Disc Golf Center, making it a struggle for even the most experienced players.

David Greenwell, a veteran competitor who has participated in nearly 400 PDGA events, including every single world championship since 1982, summed up the conditions when he turned in his soggy scorecard. "That might have been the worst conditions I've ever played through in my life," he said, despite managing to finish eight or more strokes ahead of the field in the Pro Masters 60+ division.

The two courses, Fox Run Meadows and Brewster Ridge, are vastly different, with the latter providing some protection from the wind due to its heavily wooded holes. However, even on this course, players were forced to contend with gusting winds that caused feather banners and pop-up tents to be blown across the fairways.

Some competitors were pushed to their limits by the conditions, but remarkably, no one dropped out of the tournament due to weather-related issues. JohnE McCray, a 2016 world champion in the Pro Masters 40+ division, fought off severe stomach cramps and was eventually able to complete his round on Brewster Ridge with a smile.

Despite still not feeling fully recovered from his morning bout of illness, McCray showed true world-class competitor spirit by finishing in a four-way tie for sixth place, just three strokes off the lead. That lead belonged to defending champion David Feldberg, who shot a bogey-free 2-under par on Fox Run Meadows.

The women's competition also got underway on Tuesday, with Natalie Holloköi and Courtney McCoy from Georgia tied for the lead in the Pro Masters Women 40+ division, alongside Elaine King and Susan Stephens. The women will have their chance to take on Brewster Ridge this afternoon, with the lead card teeing off at 1:15 p.m. EDT.

As the tournament continues, many divisions are seeing players who are tied or just one stroke apart from each other, making for a thrilling competition. With the second rounds well underway and more challenging conditions expected in the afternoon, the action is sure to be intense.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/2019mastersworlds/round-one-wrap-up