2012 Pro Open Predictions

Starting my own disc golf website was a way for me to buck convention, write what I wanted to write, and not worry about what some forum moderator thought was appropriate for the internet. You get it. My rules, my content. I wanted to be my own man.

But now Chris Young goes and sets me up for failure. I mean, our own club president promised us his Pro Open predictions. He was supposed to rate the players in his own division. That would have been classic. We would have had smack talk fodder all season long. But, instead, he made a last minute caddy call and handed the Pro Open predictions to me.

How can I ever live up to that sort of pressure? This is not what I had in mind when I started Circle Three. But, I'm a pro (writer, that is) and I'll give it my best. So here we go.

Finale at Twin Falls

The season finale of Twin Fall's Money Game series proved to be an epic battle. The weather was pretty amazing, considering it was mid-November. The talent and competition was second-to-none and the hospitality of the house was simply amazing.

Holmes sinks the tournament winner

Todd Holmes won the day, posting a first round score of 54 and a second round score of 55. He was the uncontested winner of the day's Overall Best Score prize, but had to go to a playoff for the Lowest Single Round of the Day prize. The playoff only took one hole, with Holmes besting Dave Frothingham when Frothy failed to convert the elusive Circle Three on hole 17.

The Host and the Doctor

The real story of the day, though, belongs to Amy and Matt Cohen. My words here can't describe the hospitality and generosity they show to the Vermont disc golf community. From course maintenance, to cooking, to cleaning up, and generally taking care of us all, they deserve amazing thanks and praise. They truly are the First Family of Vermont Disc Golf. Thank you.

Leftovers:

*CTP prizes made for an exciting and lucrative day for some local disc golfers. Seth McQuade parked hole 2 and Matt Idol grabbed the prize on hole 5 for some nice prizes. Sean Bleything stole a very impressive CTP on hole 13 for a slightly larger prize and Jon Moorer simply parked hole 18 to take down the big prize.  (If you take a look at the picture of Holmes' winning putt, you'll see how close Moorer's CTP was...it's marked with the American flag.)

*Speaking of Jon Moorer, he also took down a prize for the Most Birdies in One Round. He and Frothy both had 5 birdies in a round and had to playoff for the prize, the day's second playoff. Moorer's soon-to-be legendary approach from the crowd on the deck knocked out Frothy after one playoff hole, for the second time it happened to Frothy on the day.      

*Speaking of hole 18, did you see that chump who set the single hole score record on hole 18? For those of you scoring at home, that was a Seven Circle 18. If you're interested in starting your own website, I might recommend that for your name.

The beauty of Twin Falls and the cool hand of Dr. Holmes

*Chris Young didn't win, for once. Very surprising. The reason I bring it up is that I thought Young Bucks was the most blogged about disc golfer. I think the Dr. may be giving him a run for his money. Evidence here and here.

*Brock. I didn't know you were leaving town. Not that I can blame you, but you're now the second real deal player to blow in and out of our lives here in Vermont. Anyway, don't forget, aloha means hello and goodbye. So, aloha.

*The final word this time goes to the Cohens. Matt, Amy, Noah, thank you, thank you, thank you.   

These guys are thankful for yesterday's hospitality

Also, thanks to Christian Keidel for the first winning putt photo and Matt Cohen for the second.

    

A Donation to the Doctor

Last summer it seemed like Chris Young was a sure thing at the Money Game. He had his fair share of wins, and then some, and also won the season finale. Let's just say he took home a bunch of cash last year. There were some rumors and jokes floating around that he had worked the twice-monthly payout into his budget.

This year, we've all been donating our money to Emmett. Ben Parker won a Money Game early on and made a great showing the other times he played. Jon Moorer (has he turned Pro yet?) won week 2 with the first under-par Money Game round this year. But, really, we've all been giving our weekly entry fees directly to Emmett. And good for him, but it was really starting to get old.

Last night's Money Game provided some new excitement. When the pressure of top card got to Emmett, Chris Young, Jon Moorer, Jeff Spring, and Justin Kaulius, two second card players were able to shoot 51 (-3). Dave Frothingham and Todd Holmes both carded those season-low Money Game rounds to send it to a playoff.

With the full crowd watching, The Frothecy and Dr. Ice Water made the march to hole 17. Holmes put his drive close and Frothy chopped one off the tee into the bushes. From there it was all but a formality until Holmes putted out and took down the win.

I know I was thinking it, so you probably were too. Half the field is unemployed and we're going to let the Dr. take home the money. That stings, right? I thought so. But, how wrong I was. After an epic re-cap by Matty O., Todd claimed his prize and immediately told the crowd that he'd be putting all of his winnings into some secret course that he's constructing somewhere in Vermont. Bravo.

That's the kind of donation I like to make.

Extras:

*It looked like Dave was a little upset when he lost last night. Maybe a little more than a little upset. I think I saw a DFMD. And I think I just coined that phrase. Two weeks ago I also saw a DCMD. Did you see that one?

*Scott Moulton killed it. Shot a hot round, collected tags, dealt with the tag distribution, and as always brought good food. Nice work, Scott.

*Matt Zabawa also shot hot. Watch out for those AM 2 players, they're coming on strong. Oh, wait, haven't we heard about that? Someone might have mentioned that before, but I can't remember who.