Young Guns Keep Their Cool While Playing Hot | Professional Disc Golf Association
Date Published
As the sun blazed down on Peter Pan Park in Emporia, Kansas, junior disc golfers from around the world battled not only each other but also the blistering heat. The first day of the 2018 PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships was a challenging test for even the most seasoned competitors.
With temperatures soaring above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, players had to adapt quickly to the extreme conditions. The pressure of competing at the world championship level added an extra layer of stress, making every shot count. But those who can't handle the heat will soon find themselves struggling to keep up – the forecast predicts little relief from the sun's intense rays in the coming days.
While some divisions have it slightly easier, with only one round on Thursday, others face a grueling schedule. The Junior 18 & Under and 15 & Under boys' divisions are playing two rounds today at Emporia Country Club, where they'll be up against a challenging layout that favors bigger arms. In contrast, the girls in these age groups have it relatively easy, with only one round to play on Thursday afternoon.
The competition is fierce across all divisions, but some players have managed to gain an edge over their rivals. In the Junior 18 & Under division, Esther Schultz of Louisiana holds a two-stroke lead over Cynthia Ricciotti from Missouri. Meanwhile, in the Junior Girls 15 & Under division, Lydia Lyons from Illinois leads by two strokes over Edie Heard from Arkansas.
In the boys' divisions, Zach Arlinghaus from Kentucky holds a one-stroke lead in the 15 & Under category, while Trenton Wilbanks from Oklahoma tops the leaderboard in the 18 & Under group. However, these leads are precarious, with numerous players within striking range and the potential for upsets to shake things up.
As the competition continues into its third round on Saturday, one thing is certain – anything can happen. With the heat showing no signs of abating, mental toughness will be just as important as technical skill. Follow along with live scores on pdgalive.com and stay up-to-date with all the latest news, photos, and videos from Dynamic Discs and PDGA.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/young-guns-keep-their-cool-while-playing-hot