Manitoba duo tops Yorkton's Grain Millers Trilogy Challenge

It was perfect weather for disc golf as a sold out field took to the greens of Patrick Park Disc Golf Course in Yorkton for the Grain Millers Trilogy Challenge.

It is the third year for the Trilogy challenge event in Yorkton and this summer attracted golfers from as far as Regina and The Pas, MB.

“We are continually blown away by the support we get from all over not just at the Yorkton tournament, but at all the events in the Parkland Association of Disc Golf (PADG) region,” said PADG president Calvin Daniels. “The sport is growing every year. We saw many new faces on the course, new sponsors involved, it all contributes to building the foundation of the sport.”

In the Open Division it turned out to be a Manitoba dominated affair.

Sam Meggs of The Pas led from the opening round posting a minus-five 55 before the break.

After the break at which time the Open was split into two flights, Meggs again led the way again throwing a 55 over the 18-basket course, for an overall 110.

Steve Head, also of The Pas, threw a minus-four 56 on the opening round, then ballooned to a 64 on the second to sit second overall but 10 strokes back at 120.

Taylor Mountain of Regina went 64 on his first 18 then settled in shaving five strokes off that in the second round to sit third with a 123. Ryan Seitz of Yorkton rounded out the top four with a 64/59 and the same 123 but seeded fourth on a count back.

The top four then went out for a ‘Championship 9’ playing Joe’s Jungle, a unique configuration of the course where players throw from the established tees but to different baskets. It was designed by original course designer Joe Hunt.

“We like to throw a little wrinkle into the event using Joe’s Jungle,” said PADG Tournament Director Trevor Lyons. “It gives the players a fresh perspective of the course and offers the best golfers a different challenge.”

Meggs would throw the ‘Jungle’ in 28 to finish the day with the Open crown based on a score of 138.

Head would stay second with a 30 on the ‘Jungle’ and a 150 overall.

Mountain would grind out a 32 in on the final nine to finish third with a 155, with Seitz at 156 after a 33 on the ‘Jungle’.

Both Meggs and Head enjoyed the course.

“It was nice course. The design layout made you use a variety of shots,” offered Meggs.

“The course is a wonderful mix that I can't wait to play again,” said Head.

Head said Joe’s Jungle was a nice addition to the tournament.

“It was a blast and the big holes were fun to have to make two good shots for par,” he said.

“There were some real interesting holes,” said Meggs. “I wish I could have used my own discs on some of the longer holes.”

As a Trilogy Challenge players play the course with three discs which come with event entry, meaning they are throwing discs they are unfamiliar with.

“It made me not rely on my long distance drivers,” said Meggs. “I mainly used the midrange (Westside Pine) disc for my drives. It was the most stable out of the three discs.”

Head said it was a case of taking what the disc allowed.

“It forced me to choose my shots wisely and take birdies where I could,” he said.

Meggs said a key for him was the trajectory of his drives.

“Trying to keep the disc low; I was reminding myself at the Tee to throw low and hard,” he said.

Head said he just tried to stay loose.

“I think just having fun and playing consistent,” he said.

The event qualifies Meggs, as a Parkland Association of Disc Golf (PADG) member, for the Farrell Agencies Champions Challenge to be held at the Asessippi Beach and Campground course Oct. 15. Head did not qualify for the Association final as he was not a registered member.

The second flight Jean-Rene Robillard of Regina took the top prize with a two round score of 132, the same score as Riley Maloney of Yorkton who placed second on a count back. Sabastian Limhofer of Inglis, MB. Was third with a 140, with Tyler Albert of Regina fourth with a 146.

Rounding out the prizes in the open portion of the tournament was Seitz taking the Asessippi Beach and Campground sponsored closest-to-the-pin award, and the Yorkton Dodge longest drive award went to Duncan Holness of Percival, SK.

The Master’s Division for players 50-plus with prizes donated by Canadian Tire saw Yorkton’s Dorian Bush top the field with a two round total of 135. Karl Kreutner of Inglis, MB., was second at 140 with Doug Kerr of Yorkton third with a 141.

Bush said a bit of pre-tourney work helped him Sunday.

“Get there early and take a few practice shots,” he said was a key. “All discs react differently, so taking some time to figure them out is important.”

And recognizing one’s limitations mattered too.

“Water and walk in the shade,” said Bush. “Staying fresh at our age is extremely important. Trying to remain calm as well. I had about three rough holes in a row at one point so I just had to put them out of my mind and get back to par golf.

“We were all feeling it near the end so staying hydrated early was important. My putting was the best part of my game today. I threw good and bad shots but outside of one or two bad holes putting, I was really happy with my short game.”

In the Shoe La La Women's Division Cassie Clement of Regina thanks to a minus-two 56 on the second round to finish in top spot with an overall 116.

Becky Musqua of Melville was second with a 144, and Sandy Kerr of Yorkton was third with a 149.

Clement said playing with new discs levelled the field for everyone.

“It improved my game significantly just because I haven't thrown many different kind of discs,” she said. “And it brought more experienced people down to my level.”

From there Clement said things sort of fell her way.

“The key to me doing so well was luck,” she offered. “I can normally do okay, but for some reason, the disc actually did what I wanted it to do for every hole. I didn't miss a single putt all day.”

But it was still a huge challenge for Clement playing a new course.

“The greatest challenge, were all the damn trees that we don't have in Regina,” she said.

The Yorkton Hobbies Youth Division was topped by Joshua Istace of Moosomin, SK., with a 131. Payton Popowich of Yorkton was second with a 141, with Wesley Palamar of Yorkton third at 163.

Istace said using the ‘Trilogy’ discs created the greatest challenge.

“With those discs it was pretty difficult but I got used to them and knew how they work so I played great with them,” he said. “… The key to topping my division was to play par golf and stay positive if you get bad shots and move on.”