Augusta & CSUMB Earn Runaway Victories at National Collegiate Championships
Augusta & CSUMB Earn Runaway Victories at National Collegiate Championships
Five Doubles and two Singles rounds later, two teams finally emerged from the 2016 National Collegiate Disc Golf Championships (NCDGC) as national collegiate champions.
Championship Flight
In the Championship Flight, Augusta University started with a lead of six and ended with a lead of eight for their third NCDGC title. If that doesn't sound right, it's because this is the first time they've won as "Augusta University". They've won in previous years as both "Georgia Regents-University" and "Augusta State University". That doesn't take away at all from their talent, but let's hope the name change sticks this time, for conveience sake.
Augusta Championship Flight Team members include: Dustin Perry #36224, Clint Kuglar #58751, Bradford Minter #69858, & John Baker #54600. They played their hearts out all week, battling with Ferris State and North Carolina State during the early rounds. Their scores in the Individual rounds is what gave them the edge against Indian Hills Community College, earning them the aforementioned lead of six heading into the finals on Old Glory (black tees). For details on how the Team Doubles overall scoring works, see the NCDGC Scoring System Explained story.
Indian Hills, led by Team Captain Ryan Anderson #50038, fought hard to catch on Augusta, but for every time they gained a stroke Augusta gained one back on them. After Augusta lost a stroke to Indiana Hills on Hole 5, Dustin Perry stepped up to the tee of Hole 6, and made sure they got that stroke back.
Augusta continued to hold and expand on their lead heading in to the last few holes. By that point, there was simply no catching them. On the island Hole 20, both of their players missed the island, forcing them to take a long putt to save par from the drop zone. Despite the water hazard behind the pin, they ran it, perhaps trying to get one last roar from the gallery, but missed long. Regardless, they were able to toss one in from 10 feet for bogey in front of the crowd for the win.
Women's Flight
California State University-Monterey Bay (CSUMB) crushed the competition In the Women’s Flight, finishing 35 strokes ahead of second place finishers, North Texas. Much like Augusta University, they earned themselves a significant lead heading into Finals thanks to their performances in the Individual format.
The CSUMB Women's Flight team members include: Mikaela Bogdan #72793, Traci Alger #61563, Bayli Miller #79014, & Jenn Schopfer #59767.
The CSUMB women posing with their trophy after the round.
First & Second Flights
One of the most exciting finishes of the day came from the First Fight, where Ferris State forced Colorado State into a sudden death playoff with a birdie on the 20th of Old Glory, a 300’ island hole. The playoff didn’t last long, as Colorado State threw two drives in a row out of bounds off the tee on the second hole of the playoff (course Hole 16). Ferris State played safe and was able to lay up for par to take home the victory, securing a spot for Ferris State in the Championship Flight in 2017.
Ferris State First Flight Team Members: Alexander Walters #49409, Ryan Brophy #57473, Blake Budreau #53153, & Mason McCully #83981.
Mississippi State made sure that their school earned a spot in next year’s Championship Flight as well with their convincing win in the Second Flight, beating Minnesota and Liberty by three and five, respectively. Mississippi State team members include: Caleb Sanders #68280, Micah Peacock #81104, Michael Lukens #78540, Michael King #78541.
High-resolution photos are available from the entire week on the PDGA Flickr page. There are dozens of photos and videos from @pdgalive on Twitter as well.
Congratulations to all of the 2016 NCDGC Indiviudal and Team Champions! Can't wait to see you all again next year!