The National Players Challenge Championship took place at the Old Post Disc Golf Course in Russellville, Arkansas over the weekend of May 26-27, 2012. With 53 disc golfers coming out to compete in this PDGA sanctioned B-tier event, it was Devan Owens of Owasso, Oklahoma who was crowned champion in the men’s open division with a final score of 29-under par.
Owens had a recent victory at the Tye F Cunningham Memorial Disc Golf Tournament as well. Following at second place, was Matt Orum of Mobile, Alabama, with a final score of 26-under par. Eric McCabe of Emporia, Kansas and Chris Eads of Fort Smith, Arkansas followed in a tie at third place, both scoring 24-under par.
The 2011 Women’s World Champion, Paige Pierce of Plano, Texas emerged the winner of the women’s open division with a final score of 10-over par while Liz Lopez of San Antonio, Texas followed at second place scoring 14-over par.
The masters division win went to Kevin Pelton of Shreveport, Louisiana with a final score of 5-under par while Aaron Bernard of Huntsville, Alabama and Michael Kernan of Boutte, Louisiana followed in a tie for second place, both scoring 2-over par. Lori Maxwell of Conway, Arkansas took the win for the women in the masters division with a final score of 51-over par.
Eric Rainey of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma won the grandmasters division scoring 4-under par, while Matt Loyd of Russellville captured the victory in the advanced division with a final score of 6-under par. He had a recent win at the Vintage Open as well.
Stephen Harrison of Denham Springs, Arkansas won the advanced masters division with a final score of 15-over par and it was Calvin Etheridge who won the intermediate division scoring 8-over par. Finally, Derek Thompson of Paris, Arkansas won the recreational division in overtime after battling it out with second place finisher, Sheldon Shinn.
Congratulations to all the winners and competitors on a great weekend of disc golf!
The first time K.C. Dermody played disc golf was in the spectacular Black Hills of South Dakota. She has since become addicted to promoting the sport, and enjoys playing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She welcomes comments and suggestions, with the goal of promoting the sport of disc golf throughout the world. Find her on www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter orTwitter@kcdermody.
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