Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Johansen Dominates Azalea

There were 4 main records at the Azalea Tournament held annually in Castle Hayne, NC. The course record, the 2 round scoring record, the 3 round scoring record and the overall tournament scoring record. Key word: were.
Michael Johansen of Charlotte shattered all four of these records this weekend with a performance that left people stunned and amazed at his play. Johansen bested Justin Jernigan's former course record of 51 by 2, his own 2 round scoring record of 110 by 8, his own 3 round scoring record of 170 by 13 and finally, the four round scoring record of his by 13.
The win moved Johansen firmly into second place and closed the gap on leader Terry Gallops, who was not in action this weekend. Brian Schweberger's second place finish moved him into third place.
Perhaps the hottest golfer in NC not named Michael Johansen right now is Jeff Baldwin. Baldwin picked up yet another masters win this weekend besting Brian McRee by 5 strokes. Baldwin is now the only person with more than three series wins and the only person with perfect attendance. McRee's solid finish moved him into second place in the standings.
Chase Jernigan came off a strong showing at Collegiate Nationals with a dominating 7 throw win in advanced. The first of Jernigan's career came at a course where he only played once before and a place his brother has been victorious. Series leader Jon Mills finished 7th and increased his lead. The big move was by Jim Senior, who is now in 3rd place in the standings.
Chip Woodruff fired four great rounds to win intermediate. However, series leader Mike Norris strengthened his lead with a 6th place finish. John Mickleson's second place finish moved him into second in the series.
The next event is for Amateurs only at the Charlotte Am Championship. But don't worry pros, the next weekend you guys get your event in Charlotte at Spastic Plastic at Kilbourne.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Crosstown Brings Movement in Standings

Michael Johansen continued his impressive performance in Raleigh winning the Dogwood Crosstown Classic over Sean Gough. The 50 points for Johansen moves him ahead of idle Brian Schweberger into second place. Gough's second place finished also moved him up in the field. Series leader Terry Gallops increased his lead and continued his perfect attendance.

In Masters, the big story of the weekend was the presence of two time world and three time US champion Barry Schultz. Schultz led the entire tournament until the very last hole when he threw out of bounds on hole 1 at Zebulon allowing series leader and eventual Dogwood Masters champion Jeff Baldwin to record a three and take home the win. The win for Baldwin truly made disc golf history as he is the first player in history to defeat Barry Schultz in the masters division. Brian McRee and Chris Lee mainted their second and third place positions.

The advanced series leader Jon Mills had a solid showing and increasesd his lead this weekend as well. The big move was by Robert McAlpine who now sits in second place by himself. Jeff Yahn, making his first stop on the series, got the 50 points with an impressive win in a deep field.

Mike Norris, one of the TD's for the event, did something not many people can do; won their own event. Norris won a playoff to take home the win in intermediate and is now leading the series.

The next stop is down east for one of the more popular events on the tour, the Azeala Tournament in Wilmington.

Monday, April 9, 2012

NC USDGC State Rep. Qualification

The USDGC will be split into two categories this year and the performance edition, which is handicapped based scoring, is consisted mainly with picked state representatives.

The Archdale-Trinity Chamber of Commerce Tournament, a PDGA A-Tier, has been selected as the qualification event for this prestigious spot at the USDGC. Here is the information in regards to the spot.

- Qualification is open to anyone who competes in the Archdale event and will be awarded in a handicapped system similar to how the Performance Edition of USDGC will be played.
- There is no additional fee to compete.
- Qualification is open only to NC Residents.
- The player chosen must accept the invitation at the Archdale event. If he or she is not willing / not able, the spot will be able passed down to the second place finisher and so on and so forth.
- The player chosen is responsible for any and all costs associated with entering the event.

For more information regarding the USDGC, please visit www.usdgc.com