Disc'n for Cheetahs VIII Recap

The Disc’n for Cheetahs VIII is in the books. The field was maxed out at 100 players. We were gifted nearly perfect weather and it was welcomed by everyone. The course was well groomed and prepped by many helping hands from friends and the zoo staff. I really can’t think of much that would have made the event any better.

Players gathered early to take in some practice as the sun slowly rose over the beautiful purple bloomed Redbud trees that are scattered throughout the course. Hole 2 and 17 of the course have an amazing look over the heart of the course. The view almost begs for a picture to be taken (there is one shown below). Many compliments were made about how this course has improved each years. A big thanks for all of you who have chosen to help out and make it happen.

Before the first round, we were able to have a short players meeting. During the meeting I was able to recognize former park director Kate Plank who I asked to be there. Kate was the first park official that helped me early on when I started running events at Oak Grove. She was always encouraging, supportive, and helped disc golf grow in Springfield in any way she could. I’ve always called her “Kate the Great” a name she definitely earned.

When the horn blew to start round 1, it was a little brisk but perfectly calm. After a few holes many of us were shedding layers as it began to warm up. The Cheetahs course has a great mix of holes offering: 2 pond holes, 2 creek holes, 2 hanging baskets, 3 holes with bamboo that comes into play, and a good bit of elevation and wooded holes. You also never know what animals you are going to hear, and we all heard several animals throughout the day.

After the 1st round was finished, the zoo staff offered a hot dog, brat, or hamburger meal. The funds generated by this went to the Zoo. There were raffle tickets sold at this time as well. Play resumed at 2:00. The temperature was 75+ and there was only a hint of wind that picked up toward the middle part of the round. I heard “The weather is perfect!” many times. We were definitely blessed!

We would again like to thank all the Zoo Staff for letting us use their land and for helping us make the course look and play so well. To all our sponsors both tournament and tour, we appreciate you all so much and recognize without you we couldn’t do what we do! To all the players who came out to compete and support DGM, the Zoo, and the Cheetah Habitat in Kenya, we say thank you and hope to see you at another event soon.

Bleacher Report:
Michael Luster won the basket donated by Steve Hograffee!

Congrats Ross Steketee on taking that $500+ ace pot ($160 was rolled over from the Lucky 13)!

We had one Junior Garrett Samek who shot 140

There was a huge Recreational field of 38 players. Only 3 of them finished under par.
1st place Calvin Hensley shot -7 (A “Move Up” shout out is in order here!) Great shooting!
2nd place Jacob Woolston -2
3rd place Quinten Volz -1

The Intermediate division had 13 players with four shooting under par:
1st place Moe Smith -6
2nd place Jared Graves -3
3rd place tie Kyle Herz & Mike Harelson

The MA 50+ division had as players. Only the winner shot under par.
1st place Jeff Ford finished -2
2nd place Mike Abbott +3
3rd place Darrin Dodson +7

Julie Crouch was the only 40+ female player. She shot a +10

Brothers Toby and Charles Rector battled into a play of shooting a pair of -7’s. Toby edged out his bro to take 1st. Mark Vanderhoef shot +3 to take 3rd.

Esmeralda Dodson was our only female in the advanced division and also the only female to shoot under par in the field. She shot -1! Impressive young lady!

There were 8 players in The Advanced division. Our top two players should really be thinking of moving up! There scores were good enough to finish in the top 5 in open. 1st place Seth Lindeman blistered a -15 (tying the 2nd place open score). Dylan Clinkenbeard shot a -11 (his score would have been good enough for solo 5th in Open). You guys really crushed it! Come on boys Move Up!! 3rd place with a -1 and back from his service in Korea, was Jonathan Chambless. Welcome back Jonathan and thank you for your service!

Mary Abbott was our only Open female player. She shot a +4.

There were 19 players in the Open Division. I was asked what I thought would take the open division a few days before the event. I said a pair of -9’s would likely take it. Allen Heston did exactly that shooting -18. Incredible shooting Allen and congratulations on your 1st Open B tier win! 2nd place shooting -15 was Bradley Brown. Bradley tied Allen the first round, it couldn’t quite keep up with Allen in round 2. Still impressive Bradley. There was a tie for 3rd place between Alec Knopf and Dustin Banks shooting -14. To all of you guys, Great Job!

For full results please visit: https://www.pdga.com/tour/event/67757

Thanks again to all of you who came out to play the Disc’n for Cheetahs event! We hope
To see you next week at the Hanna Hills Open. This course is a favorite to many and offers some of the most beautiful and challenging holes in the state. You may register here: https://www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/Patriots_Gold_and_Silver_Presents_The_5th_Annual_Hanna_Hills_Open_sponsored_by_Dynamic_Discs_2023/register