Steve Hill and Sara Lamberson review disc golf’s version of March Madness as they look back on the Waco Annual Charity Open. A wild Open Women’s comeback (2:15) gave way to an Open playoff (18:09), which found Jeremy Koling emerging victorious. He joins the show (32:00) to talk about the déjà vu that came with the win and is subjected to this week’s Lightning Round. Later, Steve and Sara talk Simon Lizotte’s DNF (1:10:00) before moving into international PDGA demographics (1:16:45) and This Week in Disc Golf History (1:25:57).
The weather in Waco was not the only intriguing story from the weekend. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen / DGPT
There weren’t any buzzer beaters, though competitors did race Mother Nature’s shot clock on Saturday. Nor were there any UMBC Retrievers to be found, but some did have to retrieve wayward discs from the waters of the Brazos River. Heck, there wasn’t even an upset; even if there was, Nate Perkins over Jeremy Koling would have been more akin to No. 13 Marshall over No. 4 Wichita State than Friday night’s No. 16 over No. 1 shocker.
Jeremy Koling has employed a smooth forehand and precise approaches as he aims to defend his Waco title. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen / DGPT
Paul McBeth was on a historic pace Friday at the Waco Annual Charity Open. A near impossible eagle connection through a wooded jail on Brazos Park East’s 15th put him at 10-under par through nine holes, and it looked as if a vintage performance was in the making.
The 2014 United States Disc Golf Championship had it all. Will Schusterick #29064 became a 3X USDGC Champion after winning a sudden death playoff against the world’s #1 ranked player, Paul McBeth #27523. 2X Women’s World Champion, Paige Pierce #29190, became the first woman to take the gold in Performance Flight. And last but not least, an awesome distance showcase over-the-lake wrapped it all up with Jeremy Koling #33705 becoming the first to ever slam a driver into the chains.
After the fourth long and exhausting day of competition at the Maple Hill Open, two players emerged as first time winners of this prestigious event: Paige Pierce #29190 and Jeremy Koling #33705. Pierce is no stranger to victory on the 2014 PDGA National Tour. She has now won four out of the five NT events this year, giving her a significant advantage in the overall points standings for the series. Koling isn't new to victory either but this is arguably the biggest win of his professional career.
