The DGM Finale Recap:
Results can be found here:
https://www.pdga.com/tour/event/43111

Disc Golf Monkey’s Tear Down This Wall Tour 2019 Finale (marking the 11th consecutive tour) was held this past Saturday at Empire Park in Forsyth, Missouri. Empire Park is owned by Title sponsor Liberty Utilities, who purchased the 18 hole course a few months back. There was ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of the course. Plant Manager, Randy Richardson, was in attendance and was very pleased with everything this weekend.

There were 80 players in attendance with 11 divisions. The day started out bitterly cold with fog covering some of the lake making it look like the start of a Hollywood movie. We had the players meeting to discuss the rules/OB’s and took a moment of silence to remember my friend and fellow disc golfer Charles “Chuck CVK” VanKempen.

This course is one of the most beautiful around. My group spotted a Bald Eagle shortly after we tees off on our walk up to the epic hole 4 (sponsored by Happy Hyzer). It was a special moment to kick off the tournament. When the sun continued to move higher the temperatures warmed up significantly. The first round was played in total calm, without a trace of wind. It was a picture perfect morning.

After the break for lunch, there was a slight wind that was a noticeable change from round one. The temperature seemed to be perfect. Despite the wind and gusts, the scores across the board were much better the second round with a few exceptions. There were some big numbers at this event as the water and OB came into play often. Water is not something many local courses offer. For me personally, water does something to my brain right before the release... ugh! Despite the big numbers everyone who started, finished. It was a great event and another memory I will cherish for years to come.

After the cards were turned in and tallied up, we moved into giving away prizes for the year long CTP’s sponsored by Innova and Dynamic Discs. The first basket sponsored by Innova was won by Forrest Barnard. The DD basket was won by Jackson Bekemeier. Big Congrats to both of you. We then moved straight into the last EDGE TCP raffle. There were some big ticket items adding up to over $2,500 worth of stuff. The Invicta watch and Limited Edition Tour de France Oakley’s were both won by Kendall Yost (lucky dog). There was a sweet DD H2O ranger bag that was picked up by Robert Covert. The Zuca Cart was won by James Montejano. The other Innova basket was won by Roger Richeson. Congrats guys and all other raffle winners. A big thanks for all the continued support of EDGE. You all Roc!

After the raffles, we went right into awards. I did make a mistake and put two Juniors in the same division that had a significant age difference. I have since corrected the error and 9 year old Blake Pettigrew will be getting his 1st place trophy and other rewards for playing in the 10 and under Junior division. It’s going to be fun watching this kid continue to Improve. 13 year old Aiden Carter took the other Junior Division. He too, should be moving up soon and will be a force to be reckoned with.

Todd Sander, with his strong showing +2 (would have finished 2nd Intermediate) smashed the field by 10 or more strokes. Dale Snowden came in second with a +12. Great job Todd. See you in Intermediate at the next one?!

There were three in the Intermediate women’s division. Mary Abbott was able to hold off local Priscilla Buechsenschuetz, and Callico Rocks, Candie Luster. Mary’s +38 was only three better than Pricilla’s score. Great job ladies.

In the Intermediate Men’s Division it was Arkansas’s own “The Sandy One” Bagger Braden Eads turning in a -3. Great win Big, but it’s your time to climb on up brother. Allen Heston and Chalis Carter we’re both at +1 and Tanner Sublette was +2 rounding of the top spots.

The MP50 Division of 8 was taken down by “The Bud Man” himself, Brad Hilton. Brad’s +6 held off Steve Stansberry, John Parsons, and Tadge Kavanaugh. What a great field for the 50 and over club! Great job gentlemen.

The MA40 Division (7) was taken down by 1/2 of the father son duo. Ray Presnell’s near par +1 was good enough to best Toby Rector by 3, Tad Odom by 4 and Mike Abbott by 6. Looked like a fun and competitive battle.

The Advanced division was a two horse race at the top. Frank “the Tank” Hebert, of Neosho and Ryan Elliott battled to the end. Frank’s 6 stroke lead was enough to hold off Ryan’s big surge in the second round getting him within two strokes. Frank’s 11 down and Ryan’s 9 would have both been respectable scores in the Open field (both would have cashed). Great job guys!

As it is so often unfortunately, Brandi Monnahan was alone in the Women’s Pro division. We have to find a way to get ladies in the open division to give this “cool cat” some competition. Brandi shot a +14. Thanks for your continued support and playing in the Finale girl!

The MP40 (8) Division was quite a roller coaster ride. Although I didn’t get to see the first round Dasun Keyler put together, the 51 was the hot round in the Pro Masters. Rick Waggoner was hot on his heels with his 52. Jackson Anoa’i shot a 54 and Chris Goodman and myself were at 56. Rick and I started with birdies on hole 4 gaining a stroke, but shortly after Rick caught fire and never looked back. Along with several great birdies including one on 11, he pulled away and never looked back. The battle was really for second. Jackson shot solid and cleaned up the few mistakes he made on holes in the first round, as did I. We ended up tied for second, with Chris and Dasun only a stroke off making it a four way tie for second. Quite a showing Rick! Congratulations again on a well played tournament and big Win!

The Open Division was a massacre as Andrew Presnell destroyed the field. I don’t recall in my 11 year’s of running tours, a win in the Open field with this big a margin from 1st to 2nd. Andrew shot a 43 and a 40 (-13 and -16) totaling 29 under! This was 12 better than a great performance by both Jeff Renner and Chris Eads who both shot -17. Rounding out the rest of the top were Micah Funderburgh and Jackson Bekemeier with -15 and John McCain with -14. All of you did great, and Andrew my hats off to you on an outstanding win! Well done.

I would like to thank Liberty Utilities for allowing me to build a course on your gorgeous property and to hold my Finale at Empire Park! Big Shout Out to Randy Richardson for the great communication and partnership. Thanks to Fat Daddy’s, Happy Hyzer, and Hooters for there help on this event as well.

My tour Sponsors are incredible and as I say often, I could not do it without you. Thank you so much to each of you:
Doug Bowen with Elephant & Castle Fine Arms, Innova Champion Discs, Creator Designs, Dynamic Discs, Parker Asay of Fossa, Disc Mania, Millennium Discs, Ashley Wright with Intuitive Body Works, Discs Unlimited, E.D.G.E., Keen, and Quality Trim & Sign.

To my amazing Team and helpers you are all Awesome: Kyle McClure, Kevin Carder, Jake Whitehead, Michael Cory, Brandon Shields, Jackson Bekemeier, and Dasun Keyler. Thanks for making the DGM tours so remarkable both from behind the scenes and front and center! You are all Rock Stars. Thank You!

See many of you at the Encore in Calico Rock, AR in a few weeks!