GoPro Mountain Games 2015 – Final Round of Disc Golf – Part Three

The first post about the 2015 GoPro Mountain Games can be found by following THIS LINK, and the second post can be FOUND HERE:

Sunday morning ushered in the final day of the Vibram disc golf experience, and competition. The top 36 scoring men, and top 9 scoring women were invited to participate in an 9 hole course (played twice for 18) prepared by Steve Dodge.

The participants met at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater among spectators, concession stands, and the excitement for the chance to win $1000. Photographers, reporters, and journalists from the local newspaper that were on hand to document the GoPro Games, also made their way to witness the disc golfers in action. Tee box of hole 1 began on the big stage, under the spotlight, with music in the background as each player was introduced by either Steve Dodge or myself in order to start their round. The local newspaper, Vail Daily, brought disc golf on the front page.

The nine hole course began at the amphitheater, and then snaked through trees, over athletic fields, around sand volleyball courts, and along the ice cold Gore Creek. In true Steve Dodge fashion, there were even a couple of holes that were reminiscent of the world famous Maple Hill disc golf course.

The GoPro Mountain Games disc golfers that made the cut:

A few disc golf heroics that were caught on video include the following:

Near ace by local player, Evan Jones.

Team Vibram disc golfer, Sean Jack, sinks a 60′ putt in order to tie for second place.

Team Dynamic Discs golfer, Brendan Hickman, secures his victory with a tap in putt.

The GoPro Mountain Games Disc Golf Champions:

The Vibram Disc Golf competition was a very fun event. Even though I would have liked to participate in the final round (I missed the cut by two points… TWO POINTS! That is only 2 MPH faster in my throw, 1 more made putt, or 2 feet closer on one of my accuracy shots and I would have been in… My therapist says one day I may be able to overcome how I feel… just joking, I am ok with it) I had a blast helping Steve Dodge and Chris Deitzel in running the event. Interacting with the local players, and seeing them step up to assist us in whatever way possible really brought a different vibe to the event. Brendan (the first place winner) probably said “Thank you” to me personally about 5 or 6 times over the four days that we were there. Other locals also shared their appreciation for the event. Although I spoke with a lot of players, and everyone really had a good time, a few players chatted with me more than others (so I was able to remember some names) such as FEDS president Steve Klehfoth, his wife Jessie, and Latitude 64 team member Jermone Knott. PDGA State Coordinator Hopeful, Scott Osterhoudt, aka Q-Tip, Pee Jay Broeking, Evan Jones, and Adam Goetsch also shared their time with the Vibram disc golf team members, helping the event to be a success.

I am looking forward to participating in next year’s event.

The final post will include a few interviews from the participating members of Team Vibram disc golf at the 2015 GoPro Mountain Games…

To see all of my pictures from the event, check out the gallery: