Disc Golfers Fight Cancer At The 2012 Hope Open
On October 27th 82 disc golfers gathered at Willamette disc golf course in Corvallis Oregon for the 4th annual Hope Open, which benefits the American Cancer Society. This year’s tournament filled in record time, and the wait list quickly grew. I competed in the women’s open masters division while my Flight Crew teammate Ryan Gwillim competed in the open men’s division.
Flight Crew Members Ryan & Cindy
This is the fourth year for this tournament, and once again Shavonne Schumacher who is the founder of the event not only played in the event, but was also the tournament director once again. Shavonne is the driving force behind this PDGA charity endowment C tier event. This special sanctioning by the PDGA allows this event to waive the non-member PDGA fees, so more funds can be raised for the ACS.
The Hope Opens Founder & Tournament Director Shavonne
This event benefits the ACS in many ways. One of the unique aspects of the event is the honor tee signs that could be purchased for $25 with 100% of the proceeds going to the ACS. Individuals purchased tee signs to honor friends and family who have been affected by cancer. Also some of the local disc golf clubs also purchased tee signs to support the event. The Willamette disc golf club, Stumptown disc golf club, and the Eugene disc golf club all purchased tee signs.
Hope Open Honor Tee Signs & Bag Tag
Another unique feature of this event is players can request to honor family or friends who have been affected by cancer with a commemorative bag tags that are hung from the players disc golf bags as they player their rounds.
Willamette Disc Golf Course with Beautiful Fall Colors
82 players battled some pretty heavy rain for two rounds at Willamette disc golf course, but did not let it dampen their sprits. My teammate Ryan played some pretty awesome Zen like golf. The first round he carded the best round in the pro men’s field with an awesome 45 which is 9 under par earning himself a scorching 1052 rated round, which is his best rated round to date in his career. Nate Sexton who is ranked 12th in the world came back strong in the 2nd round to take the win with Ryan taking 2nd. Great job Ryan!!
Flight Crew Member Ryan
I was able to hold off the 2005 advanced grand masters world champ Toni Hoyman for the win in pro master women. I had the pleasure of playing with not only Toni, but pro grand masters Jay Sexton & John Ross for both rounds. This was one most awesome groups I have played with all year.
Flight Crew Member Cindy with Halloween Doubles Partner PDGA Board of Director President Rebecca Duffy
Some of the other winners were Zoe Andyke open women, Karl Pilotte open master, Jay Sexton pro grand master, advanced men Nick Marshall, advanced women Alexia Servid, advanced masters Kent Smoothers, advanced grand master Ward Stroud, Intermediate men Josh Steele, tying for first in intermediate women were Jamie Stroud & Katherine Walgrave, recreational men Bob Cabal.
The event ended with a massive raffle of donated items from sponsors like KEEN, Next Adventure, Innova Disc Sports, LEGO, Andrew Rich, The Chick Flick, Disc Van Go, and many more. All the proceeds from the raffle went to the ACS. In all $2, 537.25 was raised for the American Cancer Society.
Awesome Raffle Items Donated By Some Awesome Sponsors
Sunday following the Hope Open is the Halloween doubles event that also takes place at Willamette Disc Golf course, and many of the participants of the Hope Open also compete in this fun event. This year Nate & Colin Sexton were the tournament directors.
I had a great time as always, and I can’t wait for next year’s event!!