Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Dore captures 2010 USDGC spot


The 2010 USDGC Maine Qualifier had so much drama
it needed an additional day to decide the winner.
When dawn broke on day two Jason Dore bested Jeff Kozaka 4 & 3
to cap a very competitive match play weekend.
Dore began the weekend with a bye in the first round.
A second round matchup against Kozaka awaited him.
Kozaka handled Jason quite easily
5 & 4 sending Dore to the losers' bracket.
The first losers' bracket round was against JConant.
After swapping some long putts we entered hole 7 (silver dragon)
three holes to go, all square.
On hole 8 Jason carded a birdie, taking a one shot lead.
He immediately stepped to the final tee and unleashed
a swooping TL which nestled under the basket for the win.
Next up Kyle.
They battled back and forth captializing on each others' errant shots.
Kyle and Jason came into the final hole tied.
Jason flipped his drive and landed well short
after brushing the right mando tree.
Kyle threw his stable driver anny
and was within 24 ft of moving on to the semis.
Jason laid up and Kyle composed for the putt.
He released the rpro Pig and it floated high
skimming the top of the basket and scooting out of bounds.
Jason moved on again.
This time Josh stepped up and battled even
with Jason thru nine holes.
Jason played a little smarter down the stretch against Josh
and earned a rematch with Kozaka.
Unfortunately for Jason he would have to beat
Kozaka twice for the title.
They played conservative thru the first 10 holes
on the Pro Gold layout. Jason then took a couple holes
and carried a two shot lead with four holes to go.
Kozaka fought back and tied him on the 18th,
forcing a sudden death playoff,
which Jason took at dusk of day one
with a three on hole one.
Day Two had Kozaka jump out to a one hole lead after seven.
Jason rebounded taking a few holes and went up two after hole 13.
On 14, Jason got an impressive three from the long location
and sealed the title with a monsterous two on hole 15
going over the trees and nailing the putt.
Congrats Jason Dore. You earned it.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

FINAL Two

One day was not enough to decide the 2010 Maine USDGC spot.
We started at 8am with six competitors and by sundown we
were down to two. After an exciting day filled with fantastic
or not so fantastic finishes, depending on your point of view
it all comes down to one 18 hole
match play final this morning at 8am.

Two-hander Kozaka breezed through early rounds
and almost completed the sweep until J.Dore finished with
a three on hole one of sudden death.

Opening round
Kozaka def. Tyler Cass 6&5
J. Conant def. K. Enman 2&1
with J.Dore and Josh Connell receiving first round byes.
Round Two
Kozaka def. J.Dore 5&4
J.Connell def. J. Conant 4&3
K. Enman def. T. Cass 1up
Round Three
Kozaka def. J.Connell 6&5
J.Dore def. J.Conant 1up
Round Four
J.Dore def. K.Enman 1up
Round Five
J.Dore def. J.Connell 3&2
Round Six
J.Dore def. Kozaka 1up xtra holes
Final Round
Kozaka v. J.Dore

J.Dore wasn't smiling until the final hole
as he had to play five matches to get back to
today's final matchup v. Kozaka



Thursday, October 15, 2009

JOUST decides 2010 Maine USDGC rep

Six enter, one will claim the title.

The 2010 Maine USDGC spot is up for grabs this saturday
at Pleasant Hill Disc Golf course in Scarborough.
The double elimination match-play event wraps up
an exciting summer season and for one player
entry into next year's USDGC.

JOUST Qualifiers
1. Josh Connell
2. Jason Dore
3. Jeff Kozaka
4. Kyle Enman
5. Jeff Conant
6. Tyler Cass

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Goodbye to USDGC '09


Michael Johansen uncoils a drive on Hole 5 at the USDGC.
The North Carolina native was super smooth finishing tied for 14th.
As we wave goodbye to our first USDGC experience,
there are many things that will be forever with us.
Prestige and amazing players aside, the USDGC is so much more.
The USDGC is the past, present, and future of Disc Golf.
The inspiration this event provides
exhibits not only the exciting direction that disc golf is headed,
but also the possibilities this game possesses
to unite communities, foster stewardship
and generate healthier, more passionate people.
Tyler and I can attest after being in the greater Rock Hill area
for the better part of a week, that Disc Golf is more than a game,
it's part of their culture.
From the waitresses we encountered at meals,
to the children that were bused in to watch the action everyday,
Rock Hill has embraced Disc Golf and positive things are happening.
This weekend the Joust decides who will represent Maine
next fall and a chance to be a part of USDGC history.



NEFA at USDGC Final Results

Craig Cutler, NJ used some hot putting to post two rounds under 70.
USDGC Final results
21. Steve Brinster NJ 65 62 66 62 255 $870
108. Craig Cutler NJ 69 74 66 75 283
115. P. Johnson MA 73 74 69 70 286
136. Kyle Enman ME 74 70 77 221
152. J. Johnson MA 80 78 70 228
173. Tyler Cass ME 78 87 75 236
176. J. Pedrick VT 89 78 75 242

Great representation from our NEFA brethren.
Hopefully all the New England states
will have representatives next year.
If you've never been, you need to go.
Contact your Rep and get onboard.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Nikko Wins The 2009 USDGC

Surging into second and two strokes back from David Feldberg with a Stellar 58 second round,
Locastro's momentum was relentless. Catching up to the leader on Hole 7, Nikko fought off Feldberg's mid-round charge, and after a birdie on 11 he never looked back. With two consecutive Bogey free rounds, Nikko's 57 gave him a two stroke victory over 2005 Champion David Feldberg, becoming the 2009 United Stated Disc Golf Champion!

Check out this article from the USDGC web-site for the full story http://www.usdgc.com/10/11/locastro-hits-the-big-time

Saturday, October 10, 2009

USDGC Day Three

Although I fell well short of the cut, I played by far my best disc of the Tournament. After a birdie on hole one.


I finally got into a groove of playing solid and negotiating ob's and buncr's, sitting -2 after 11 holes. Highlights included a birdie on the 1053 hole with a 370 ft shot over open water, followed by a birdie on hole 6 and finally found success on hole 9 with a three as well.

Alas, the course got the best of me as I took an 8 on 13 and a 10 on 14.... Withrop Gold shows no mercy! A bad toss, an unfortunate roll, combined with a bad decision or two = absolute punishment.

I ended up +7 with a 75. The pic below was my final put on 18 and the 2009 USDC, but hopefully not my last at this event as I plan on finding a way to get back!




10Down Disc Golf
10downdiscgolf@gmail.com

Thursday, October 8, 2009

NEFA at USDGC Day Two




Day Two results
19. Steve Brinster NJ 65 62 127
108. Craig Cutler NJ 69 74 143
114. Kyle Enman ME 74 70 144
124. P. Johnson MA 73 74 147
163. J. Johnson MA 80 78 158
174. Tyler Cass ME 78 87 165
178. J. Pedrick VT 89 78 167


10Down Disc Golf
10downdiscgolf@gmail.com

USDGC DAY TWO

After perhaps the most mentally exhausting round of my life, I am extremely dissapointed with my score. I stand humbled by the integrity of the Winthrop Course and the players that have gathered from across the globe to compete on it.



After shooting a solid 35 front nine, the downward spiral of the back nine culminated on Hole 17. As seen above, this island hole demands an accurate drive into a relatively small landing area. Buncr rules require a retee on all OB drives. Long story short... It took me 8 drives to land on a green that I birdied the day previous... Ouch!!



Tomorrow is a new day. I'm actually shooting and putting well... Just hope to stay in between the yellow ropes and play some steady golf.

Regardless, I plan on competing for the spot again next year and encourage everyone to the same. The USDGC provides a glimpse of Disc Golf's future and it's an exciting time to be in the midst of that progress. Thanks to everyone that has passed on their regards and continue to follow our blog as the rest of the weekend unfolds.


Wednesday, October 7, 2009

NEFA at USDGC




Day One results
24. Steve Brinster NJ 65
100. Craig Cutler NJ 72
115. Pete Johnson MA 73
123. Kyle Enman ME 74
154. Tyler Cass ME 78
164. Jason Johnson 80
188. Jimmy Pedrick 89

10Down Disc Golf
10downdiscgolf@gmail.com

Day one - USDGC 09

The 2009 USDGC kicked off promptly at 7:35am under rainy skies and windy conditions. With over 13 different countries represented and all but a handful of the best players in the world in attendance, day one got underway.


We started the morning off with breakfast in the hotel lobby then
made our way to the course to warmup and prepare for Tyler's 9:12 tee time.
The rain thankfully subsided before tee off and the skies cleared to provide all that teed off after 9am a distinct advantage over the early risers. Tyler played solid early starting off at +2 thru 7 holes. The stretch between holes 8-12 was not so kind as the OBs and non-forgiving buncr cost him several strokes.
In true Cass form he fought back to finish par, birdie, par, birdie before dropping a couple strokes on hole 18 due to an unfortunate OB.



Not overly satisfied with the results of his first USDGC day one performance, Tyler vowed to improve his scores heading into day two and beyond.
Leaders after day one are Brian Schweberger and David Feldberg both posting narly 59s.
10Down Disc Golf
10downdiscgolf@gmail.com

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

2009 USDGC players' meeting

The World's best Disc Golfers converged on Rock Hill, SC and the Baxter Hood Center for the official welcome from Harold Duval and staff. We were treated to true southern BBQ, green beans, sweet potato and vanilla pudding. Over 200 folks were all fed and back in their seats in 19 minutes, true artistry.




As everyone finished up eating, they presented Nate Doss his champ ring for his victory last year. Photo above is of the past champions. There are only four champs in the 10 history of the event, with Ken Climo winning five times. Ken actually was in the group behind us this morning during our practice round, so we got to see why he's a 12x World champ, up close.



Tyler holding his players' pack,
Which included a huk hoodie, dri-fit tshirt, many minis, $100 cert for new Keen DG shoes and much more. He was like a kid at Christmas as he open the box back at the hotel.
As the event wore down the morning tee times were announced... Tyler Cass 9:12 tee time with Harold Duval creator and USDGC mastermind. Sleep now, as tomorrow will come soon enough.
10Down Disc Golf
10downdiscgolf@gmail.com

Innova warehouse

After finishing the practice round, we headed across
town to the Innova warehouse.
Home base for Innova's East Coast operations.



Two hours later, we touched more plastic than the head clerk
at Macy's on the day after Thanksgiving. Leaving with smiles and a stack of plastic, we headed back to the hotel to clean up for the player's meeting @ 7:30.
10Down Disc Golf
10downdiscgolf@gmail.com

Winthrop Gold practice day

Pizza, Red Stripe & MNF was the perfect end to a fantastic Monday. We woke early this morning with the anticipation of our first look at Winthrop Gold, the tourney course and we weren't disappointed.


Hole 4 requires a low straight tee shot (350ft) to give you a peek at the two large mando trees (which must be split & not
thrown over) before a well placed anny or flat flick second shot can be executed with a favorable skip to sneek into a 30ft green guarded by a ring of 2 story evergreens.




Hole 18 starts with a tough uphill drive with the fairway that narrows as you reach the crest of the hill. Lay up short on the hill here and you got a blind upshot into the photo above, which drops off behind the basket to the lake below. Overall Winthrop Gold provides Plenty of OB, water and risk/reward shots that could end in double digit scores or solid pars. True test. Do you know your game? We'll see.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Renny's Gold

SICKNESS!!!
Met up with Kyle and played and an absolutely amazing course. At 9407 ft this place has a lot of everything...


The entourage of elevation, tight wooded holes, HUGE field shots, ravines, thoughtful


OB lines, appropriate mandos, precarious but FAIR greens, and major risk reward decisions, all play out on this sweet piece of NC land. This place is a true challenge of all your disc golf skills and a testament to the future of bigger and better courses.



Check the course map http://charlottedgc.com/images/renaissance/renny_maps_ob.pdf , or do yourself a favor and Play It!


Hole 2 basket perched on the edge of big ravine & ob protects the next teebox in the woods.
Monday. 3pm

10Down Disc Golf
10downdiscgolf@gmail.com

Charlotte, NC




We slid into Charlotte after 5pm and got a room at Days Inn for the night. After a few scenic loops of the city, (look rusty big ben, parliment) we found a Japanese steakhouse and finished off the night with saki, sushi & good natured ribbing with the chef on how bad the Carolina Panthers are playing. 10pm Sunday
10Down Disc Golf
10downdiscgolf@gmail.com

Staunton Disc Golf

After a beautiful, uneventful ride thru the rolling hills of Virginia we pulled off I81 in Staunton, Va.


The course is located on a hill surrounded by ball fields. The mixture of elevation and tight woods holes makes this course worth a look if you are ever in the area. There are several tee locations and two baskets for each hole for every level of Dger.


Tyler gives a pull on Hole 1. A tight line out of the box opens up hill with the basket nestled next to the tree line.



Hole 3 is only 220 ft but the fairway shrinks as you go down the fairway and you must negoiate the downhill elevation change as well. After a much needed stretch, we continued south to Charlotte, NC. 2:30pm Sunday

10Down Disc Golf
10downdiscgolf@gmail.com

No sleep til Rock Hill




As the sun began to peek above the Virginia skyline we pulled into a rest area, reclined the seats and got a few hours of shut eye. 6:20am Sunday
10Down Disc Golf
10downdiscgolf@gmail.com

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Horizon is a beltway & skyline is on fire




A rain-soaked departure was
the perfect southern send off.
Made it thru beantown with little fair. Picked up Tyler in Dot & met two fine ladies, Tyler's mom & godmother. Just north of Philly 2:45 Sunday. It's pretty clear from here.


10Down Disc Golf
10downdiscgolf@gmail.com

Friday, October 2, 2009

We're getting close...













With only two loads of laundry
and 980 miles between us
and the USDGC,
the excitement is getting palpable.
We've received several different
sure-fire routes to get to Rock Hill
and twice as many courses
that are "can't miss" along the way.
Our next blog will be from the road
via the iphone.
stay tuned.