by mkane on Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:09 am
It is almost here!
The Regional Bluebird Championships this Saturday September 10th tee off at 10AM:
All divisions will be very competitive and on behalf of the over 100 or so players who competed in our region, we would like to thank the State of Missouri for sponsoring this growing sport. In addition, we want to thank, Brad Schmitt, the Bluebird Series Coordinator, who has donated his time, efforts and resources to this great tournament series. While simultaneously doing a wonderful job as Des Peres Parks and Recreation Director, Brad has been the TD for each event in this series. We wish him luck as we seek his help to strive to get Disc Golf on the Missouri SCORP as a cost effective means of physical activity and recreation that all parks can afford and maintain with the help of great Disc Golf Clubs in this state.For those of you who missed out, don't stress it, the Bluebird will be back next year; bigger and better.
We accomplished this through a concerted team effort by the St. Charles and Jefferson County DGC's who joined forces and camaraderie with St. Louis DGC to create an atmosphere of cooperation that just warms my heart. If you are a member of these clubs you got your money's worth this year. Thank you all so very much!
It is down to the semi finals; as we race to the finish line where all players enjoyed this competitive format where your score counts, your division secured; and it is up to the players who made it to this semi final to see what they are made of. In this round, the spoils go to the victor; the top 8 finishers will compete head to head at Quail Ridge this Saturday at 10 am, with only the top 3 finishers moving on to the Finals in Marshall, Missouri on October 8th, where this years finals are being held.
In the Open Division, the obvious favorites would be the unflappable Bryan Johnson and the consummate Pro Jerry Barklage these two have played in almost every single event in St. Louis and have represented us well. Hot off an overwhelming victory in West City where these two pros teamed up in the Jefferson County DGC Big Guns doubles tourney, these two masters of the game attacked the brutally long West City Championship course to win. It is a just another attribute that shows their ability to not only win at the individual level but to be able to compete as a team also.
Though they may be the favorites the rest of the field is going to press their skills to levels that they have rarely encountered. Top seed Ben Hart a Quail ridge veteran can affect any tournament he plays in. His smooth forehand and ever-improving backhand can shred this course to pieces. Jose Kimbrow the 3rd seed has proven he also can humble the favorites. He showed his wares at Quail early in the season by winning match #2 and besting all players in the field, including BJ & JAB. The rest of the field just fills the bag to the bursting point, as seasoned veterans Francis Albanese and “The Legend” Don Moellenbeck have been able to quell any offenses launched by BJ & JAB in many past battles! Chris Gore also rounds out the field fresh from his Global Disc Golf Tourney performance that earned him a berth and trip to the United States Disc Golf Championships. While quietly, this author is setting his sights at upsetting them all as he could very well be known as the Quail Whisperer!
The Advance Masters Division is shaking out as a regular slugfest. Only three players will compete (enjoy it this year fellas, cause it will be full next year!) as they have the entire series. Jeff “Angry Guy” Junte and Brian “Left Slinger” Walls have battled with Steve “Hard-Wire” Klieber. “Angry Guy”, a nick name coined by his Quail Ridge doubles partner Jimmy “Whitebirch” Nelms, was quoted “it has been the most fun I have had, the series was exactly what I have been looking for” a not so “Angry Guy” if you ask me, in fact an absolutely great guy!
Intermediate Ams top seed David “Double D” Dick, a great guy and a wonderful ambassador for one of our key sponsors Gateway Disc Sports, has been the top performer however the rest of the field is licking their chops as we head into the Semis at Quail Ridge. 2nd seed Brad “the Original” Walkenhorst, Shawn ”what time is it” Spiker, Brad “Stew Meat” Stuart, all claim Quail Ridge as their home course and the question is can DD hold them off? Rounding out the field Kevin Clooney, Chris Ursch, and Adrian “Vice Grip” Pena all are capable of just lighting Quail Ridge up!
Recreational division is home of the tightest race as Mikie “Fright Night” Waradzyn smokes the field in Round 4 at West City to yank the top seed from under the to perennial Rec for lifers Jimmy “Whitebirch” Nelms and Gary “It wasn’t Me” Polkinghorne. These two fine men are very important helping hands to bring this tourney to us. Gary the President and Jimmy the Vice President of the St. Charles Disc Golf Club are very special people, (not of the short bus variety, well maybe Jimmy) dedicated to promoting disc golf in St. Charles County. The West City Club has sent three Sharpshooters up to take on this division. Joe “Byson” Bryson, Rickie “don’t think I can’t beat you” Wells and Alan ”He ain’t heavy” Amos all have the capability to win here if they can get past “Team Barklage”, Kenny “the Iceman” and Bryan ”wish I had some Zanfel” Barklage(No relation to JAB), who are always ready to take on a challenge.
IN the Womens division REC Debbie “I ain’t scared” Polkinghorne will coast to victory and be ready to represent our region in the finals. Debbie is also a board member of the St. Charles DGC and huge contributor to the Bluebird Series.
The Novice division is loaded with surprises, though it is dominated by Shane “I wish I had my real hip” Chester, Micheal “don’t trip old man” Sherman has not lost by more than a few strokes at each event. Dakota “the throwin Samoan” Oeberman can also lock up a spot in the finals if Koty “West City” Whitaker does not show up to join in the fun.
Meanwhile in the Novice Women, Danielle “just because I am winning my head won’t swell” Amos has control of the top seed, but she better be sharp as Team Polkinghorne will lure her to their home course, where the coast is not so clear. Bailey “welcome to my house” Polkinghorne and her sis Brekka “I’ll be drivin more than this disc soon” Polkinghorne have pledged to make this the most challenging test for Danielle and no matter how it turns out this group will be in finals, because they played. Next year may not be as simple as the fields grow.
Good luck to all players be sure to thank Brad if you get a chance, and bring all your vouchers as this will be the last day to cash out.