Posted in Featured Articles, News, The USDGC Experience
Players Meeting Ramps Up Excitement For Tourney
Hundreds of disc golfers, volunteers, officials and of course, the sport’s brightest stars filled the Baxter Hood Center Tuesday night in Rock Hill for the player’s meeting and banquet for the 11th USDGC.
The event was a formal welcome to the competitors and also honored past victors as well as dedicated volunteers. The hallowed golden rake, which honors the MVP of volunteers each year, was awarded to James Nichols, who logged countless numbers of man hours in preparation for this year and past tournaments.
Innova East owner Harold Duvall praised all the efforts of volunteers from years past. He said volunteer work is the core to producing a successful tournament.
When event director Jonathan Poole introduced the tournament’s former champions, it could have been compared to seeing a living Disc Golf Hall of Fame museum standing on the banquet room’s podium. The four men standing: 5-time winner Ken Climo, 3-time winner Barry Schultz, 2005 champion David Feldberg, and last year’s winner Nate Doss have captured all of the tournament’s crowns, not to mention first prize for dozens of other big-time tournaments.
Ken Climo, who has dominated the event in years past, had fashioned a necklace to display his five championship rings, and was all smiles as he later mingled with other players.
Also for much of the night, Innova icon and co-founder Tim Selinske, who passed away in August, was remembered for his dedication to the sport and compassion. Many people are honoring the Californian through various ways this week.
After the much anticipated tee times were announced by tournament starter Andy Greene, the meeting neared its end and excitement among the players could be felt for the first round.
