Ladies & Gentlemen, 2013 Vibram Open Putting Contest Semi-Finalist Jason Toothaker.

McBeth crushes Maple Hill like I crush the local pitch n' put on a good day in doubles.... Some kid Grady from Maine, with a 958 rating, pumps 1000+ rated rounds like it's his job... (finishing in the top 15 and earning a spot at the 2013 USDGC)... yeah yeah yeah!  Old news.

The real story my friends, is another gunslinging native from Maine, Jason Toothaker. Who against all odds made it to the final 4 at the Vibram Open Putting contest.  By against all odds I mean that he's not really that great of a putter**. Stacked up against Nate Krahn, David Wiggins, and Jay Reading (how many times has Yeti won this event?).... Toothaker, "Toothy" was a full on Bona fide underdog.  And let's not forget Jerel Davis... the Chuck Norris of Disc Golf... a veritable cherry on top of intimidation. 

Entrance to the putting competition was earned through two preliminary qualifiers sessions on Thursday.  Points were awarded based upon made putts from designated distances.  15' (1pt), 25' (2pts), and 35' (3pts).  Each player was given 2 throws from each.  A perfect score is 18. Only 4 golfers from each session would advance. 

Here's how it stacked up after the prelims: (not sure on the scores for the PM qualifiers)

 AM Qualifiers

1. Jay "Yeti" Reading - 18 (Innova-1007, world putting champ)

2. David Wiggins - 18 (Innova-1020 world distance champion)

3. Jason Toothaker - 15 (unsponsored-950)

4. Jerel Davis - 14 (Vibram-no rating available)

PM Qualifiers

Justin Mount

Aaron Fahey (997)

Jared Roan (Innova -1019, National Collegiate Disc Golf Champion)

Nate Krahn (Discraft-1011)

I must confess that this story was originally slated to be a quick Facebook update.  However, when I asked Toothy about the competition he wrote me back a small book.  This passion could in no way be ignored. So without further adieu, here is the rest of the story by Toothy himself:

I made the quarterfinal bracket against Nate Krahn, a likeable dude from Philly with a laser putt and solid game.  I spent most of the day asking people about his putting and asking if I had a chance. Most people just laughed and said "Good luck, buddy.  Krahn is a lights-out putter".  I went into the match with a healthy amount of fear and tempered expectations.  

The crowd assembled around the putting green for 18.  The top pros (Doss, Koling, Wysocki, Feldberg, Jenkins, Schusterick, McBeth) were sitting right behind us, and all the New England locals were off to the side, encircling the competition area.  The kegs of Berkshire Pale Ale had been tapped and people were in the mood to watch some good competition.  The format for the quarterfinals were as follows:

2 putts from each marker (15, 30, 50 feet), player in the lead goes 2nd

After the players played through the first cycle of putts, they replaced the chains with Phenix Disc Sports Pro-putt chains.  These putts were worth double points.  I was up by 6 points at the end, missing both of my 50' on the Phenix chains.  Krahn had to make just one of his 50' putts to force a playoff.  He made his first and missed the second, forcing overtime.  He, by virtue of scoring the last points, got to choose whether to go first, as well as which mark to shoot from.  He chose 30' and missed.  I had one putt to secure the win from 30 feet, spanking it right into the center of the Pro-putt chains and raising my fists triumphantly into the air.  The crowd was voracious, as I was an underdog and (as Steve Dodge put it) a "New England Favorite".  The top pros were cheering for their touring-pro compatriot, but felt compelled to respect the efforts of a nervous player who had one shining moment in his first NT.  My celebration didn't last too long, as Yeti made every single putt and ran away with an easy victory."

There you have it folks.  A feel good story for the ages.  I personally love the fact that local disc golfers get to compete with top pros at National Tour events like the Vibram Open.  A chance to share the stage with the game's elite.  An opportunity not lost on Jason Toothaker, a "New England Favorite" who putted better than a boatload of other people at the 2013 Vibram Open Putting Contest.

** Other sources have confirmed he actually is a very good putter.  For the purposes of a better story, I have presumed otherwise in the article.