COMPETITION will be fierce as some of the nation’s top disc golfers converge on Mount Gambier for the South Australian Open this weekend.
Held tomorrow and Sunday, the event will showcase the now completed Crater Lakes course, which is located among the picturesque setting of the Valley Lake.
Disc golfers will travel from far and wide to compete with three rounds played to determine divisional winners.
“Currently we have 53 registrations from five states including Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia,” Mount Gambier Disc Golf president Ryan Nicholson said.
“Registrations do not close until the morning of the event so we have the potential to reach 60 players which would be a fantastic turn out.”
The event will be fronted by the men’s open division, with the lineup including Jarreth Sweetten who recently placed third in the Victorian Open behind winner and 2016 national champion Patty
Robinson, who has been confirmed as a late inclusion.
Other contenders are Ryan Budge stepping up from the advanced division and Paul Noesen, who is eager to see his name at the top of the list as he makes the trip from Western Australia to compete.
Another highlight of the weekend will be the women’s global event which will be held in conjunction with the SA Open tomorrow.
This competition is designed to encourage participation and showcase women’s disc golf in Australia.
Scores will be calculated and ranked internationally with simultaneous events held worldwide.
The Limestone Coast is well represented for this event, in particular the FA4 division, with a selection of Mount Gambier disc golfers to test their skills on their home course.
Last year’s FA4 national champion Michelle Schultz, current club champion Nicole McPherson and Victorian Open third place finisher Kate Eldridge will all look for a consistent game to win their division.
The junior girls’ competition will see Geelong national champion Evelyn Heath and Mount Gambier’s Rylee Seidel continue their battle after a close contest at the Victorian Open, which saw Heath claim the win by a mere two shots.
The men’s MA2 division will see Hayden McPherson as the prime local contender, after he dominated league competitions last season and claimed the club championship.
He also holds the unofficial course record.
However, Jacob Cruden will be out to spoil his dominance after finishing with strong results in Tasmania and the ACT.
Nicholson has been the driving force behind the growth of disc golf in the Limestone Coast and it was he who started the club and pushed for Mount Gambier’s own course.
He has been busy in preparation for the event and is stoked with the support it has received going into the weekend.
“The event has received tremendous support not only from players and our club members, but also the wider community who have helped through sponsorship,” Nicholson said.
“In particular the City of Mount Gambier has been tremendous in their support.
“I actively encourage the local community to come down and spectate and see the sport at its best.”
Registrations open tomorrow at 7.30am for a 9am tee off, while Sunday’s second day of competition will tee off at 8am.
