Morley Player Profile: Kent La Gree

Kent La Greekent3PDGA# 19730 Open Masters Division

Began playing disc golf: 1982 for about 6 months. 2001 the disease began

First Disc: The Hammer

Favorite Morley Field Hole: 17 it has the most character and carnage and 7 ( I am the roller king after all (chuckles)

Morley Field Aces: Too many to count! most every hole and position at one time or another - only missing some of the longer or more obscure holes

Favorite Disc: The one that gets the birdie. too hard to really answer that one My dad taught me long ago (being a ball golf pro) a great pro can out putt you with just a stick (ball golf), to become to attached to any disc will only be heartbreak when it is lost or retired.

Favorite Driver: Star Destroyer seems to fly the truest and farthest for this ol dog

Favorite Midrange: Z Comet and the Squall... both extremely controllable for a smooth throw

Favorite Putter: XD...straight and true...it is one of the reasons for my game being where it is at...you have to have the confidence to make the putt

"In My Bag": Clothes mainly...just kidding 2 XD's 2 Destroyers 2 Squalls 2 Comets 1 Crystal Buzz 2 Valkyries

Tourney wins and / or Top 5 finishes (not necessarily from Morley): Top 5 Finishes: 2x first places The Masters @ La Mirada 2x St Louis Open Champion Morley Field Course Champion 2009 Spring Fling Championship ...memory failing, those are the ones off the top of my head

Favorite DG Website: discgolfersrus.com and PDGA.com

Favorite Pro Player: No doubts on this one, I have had the pleasure of playing with so many greats of the sport but there is one that stands out above the rest..Steve Wisecup He has always been the most professional on and off the course of any player that I have ever played with or against..he rarely makes a mistake and his recovery from them is always well thought out. I have never seen him get angry over a bad shot or loss and always has a kind word for any player..truly everyone can learn from him what this game is all about.. just my opinion though

Tips for other players: Disc Golf is a game not unlike ball golf in it's execution and mindset..confidence is the key to the game. I have watched so many throw great shots and freeze over a putt or lay up for fear of going 20 by and I know it is what holds them back from moving to the next level. it is for me 20% talent and 80% confidence. I was lucky enough to learn much about the sport from playing with much greater players than myself, each gave me a key to what I formed into my own game, so there is much thanks to Donny Olow (the crazy just enjoy it side of DG) Micah Dorius (confidence and technique) and Snapper (find a way to push it to challenge yourself)

Morley Player Profile: Mike Ballestas

mikeb3Michael BallestasPDGA# 35093 Open/Advance

Began Playing Disc Golf: In May of 2007 my friend Chris, introduced me to disc golf and was hooked instantly. How could you not be!

First Disc: The Archangel, good for anyone starting off. It’s a great distance driver with less power required to throw it.

Favorite Morley Field Hole: Hmm, there’s so many of them, but it have to be 12 because there are so many different pin locations and many trees to make it challenging.

Morley Field Aces: 11 aces at Morley..2c twice, 5c, 8a, 11a, 14d, 15a, 15e twice, 17b, 18b

Favorite Disc: Z Predator, a nice over stable disc that has many uses besides a backhand. For thumbers it’s great, it flips over slow and can go pretty far…it has saved me form trouble numerous times.

Favorite Driver: Star Destroyer, it’s a great fast, reliable disc that I can always count on. Once they get beat in they can hold a line for awhile and get there quick

Favorite Midrange: It’s a 178 Z Buzz and anybody that knows me would say that as well. It’s a GREAT midrange because it can hold just about any line you give it and just glide to the pin

Favorite Putter: 175 Soft Omega

"In My Bag": Soft omegas(2) putters 175g

Star destroyer 174g

Star Excaliber 175g

Star TL

Champion Firebird 170g

Champion Wraith 175g

Z Force 172g

Z Predator 174g

Z Buzz 177g

Z wasp 176g

Stratus 174g

Star Gator 175g

Favorite DG Website:

Not much time to look, to busy playing

Favorite Pro Player:

Snapper.. I’ve played with Snapper many times and just watching him throw effort less and accurate blows my mind. He’s a great teacher and you can learn many things by watching him.

Tips for other players that have helped you: Start with a controllable disc, like a Valkyrie or even a Archangel. Start off throwing slow, getting the right technique first because you are less accurate if you try and kill it. Just go out there and have fun! Remember, there are always players willing to help you out…just ask!

Morley Player Profile - David “D. Bear” Butcher

Began Playing Disc Golfbutcher1I began playing object disc golf in 1972. I was training Killer Whales for Sea World and between shows / training sessions I would get the other trainers together and make up a game hitting trees, park benches, whatever. We put together a club with a small trophy that would rotate to each winner. We would play weekly in parks like Presidio, Kate Sessions, and play night golf through the museums in Balboa Park.

First Disc My first disc was a yellow 119 Frisbee. I loved that disc. It was magic. Then they started making golf discs and I started throwing Stratus and Phantom discs.

Favorite Hole at Morley: I like throwing through the trees on hole #17.

Aces: Just got my 16th ace 0n Feb.1, 2009 on hole 10.

Favorite Disc: It used to be the Orc, for Orca, get it? But now it’s the Star Destroyer.

Favorite Midrange: I like both the Squall and Comet. “Don’t turn over a turnover disc”.

Favorite Putter: I can’t put so what’s it matter.

In My Bag : JK Aviar, 3 Squalls, Comet, 3 Destroyers, XD, Orc, Wraith, and I used a have a Rattler until I through it in the ocean trying to impress my girlfriend on how to throw it into the wind and have it come back to you.

Favorite Website: I don’t spend much time on websites, I’d rather be playing.

Favorite Pro player: Micah Dorius and Snapper . I have enjoyed playing and sharing the game with both of them.

Tips: Learn the 3 step release, slow down and try to get rid of as many moving parts of your swing as you can. Confidence is huge in this game and the more you practice with success the better you become. Don’t turn bogeys into double bogeys. But most of all enjoy yourself and others around you.

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February Morley Monthly: A Historical Day!

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The first of this season’s three monthly mondo’s was held between rounds one and two of the February monthly today. We had 27 discs in the air at one time from the 65 foot line after the call of “ready two…one…throw!” Each of the three rounds had one clear cut winner. Josh0223091113 Egbert, Mike Tyberg and Adam Colt divvied up the goodies donated for the CTP. A choice of sweatshirts from Discraft plus a hat, a collared T and a regular T plus a star disc from Innova and a month pass from the shop were offered as prizes this month. In the Open division 10 time course champion Micah Dorius broke the course record for a single round in tournament play firing a -18 in the first round. He followed that up by shattering his own 2 round record by 5 strokes with a -34.   The one round record is about the only tournament record here at Morley that Micah didn’t own until now. John Ahart had the previous record of -17 shot in the 1992 Spring Fling. Of note Carlo Pelg had 14 consecutive birdies in the first round and shot an impressive -16.  He finished -28 for 2nd. Carlo’s 2nd place finish score tied for the third best score in our 32 year history.

Open

Micah -34 $90  new course record for 2 rounds

Carlo -28

Jeff L -19

George S -17

Angel G -17

Trey M -15

Jeff N -14

Mike L -14

KG -11

Roper -7

Serban F -2

Willie L +10

Advanced

Josh E -15^

Mike B -12^

Paul S -12^

Aaron V -11

Quinn H -11

Paul M -8

Chris W -8

Randy W -7

Adam C -6

Danny Z -6

Rob -3

Mike T -3

Justin F -3

Daniel G -3

Auggie +4

Eddy S DNF

Intermediate

Jack D -8^

Ben R -7

Patrick P -7

Shawn S -7

Chris M -6

Robert M -5

Eric S -3

Garrett B -2

Shooter -1

Jay H +2

Shane D +3

KC +5

Yeti +5

Ray S +5

Hawk +6

Ray G +8

Bill C +12

Neil +12

Dennis +12

David F DNF

Trey M aced #16 during 2nd round

* Course Record

^ Bumped up to next division

Morley Player Profile: Ben Rutherford

Ben RutherfordPDGA#33997 Intermediate Division

Began playing disc golf:img_5682 My freshman year at CSU Monterey Bay - 1998 , a couple business majors built a course on the campus with help from Steady Ed himself.  A few friends and I went down with Frisbees when we heard about the course.  After a few holes and quite a few throws, we met up with some other disc golfers and learned the difference between a Frisbee and a disc. I went and bought my first disc that week. In 1999, I took a Disc Golf course the college offered.  The class was taught by Dr. Stancil Johnson (PDGA #9.)  I also was able to meet Steady Ed at a lecture that year.

First Disc: Yellow Typhoon and a white Aviar. I still have my Aviar.

Favorite Morley Field Hole: Hole 7. The fact that you have to throw a different shot for each of the pin placements makes this hole probably the most challenging hole on the course. Morley Field Aces: 3 Aces at Morley Field on holes 9-B, 11-C and 15-A.

Favorite Disc: Champion Leopard. My first Morley ace was with this disc.  It is a great turnover disc and works well as a roller. I never play a round without one in my bag.

Favorite Driver: Pro Wraith or Champion Orc…too tough to decide between the two.

Favorite Midrange: Either a Z Buzzz or an Ontario Roc but a Gator will also be a mainstay in my bag.

Favorite Putter: The JK Aviar is definitely the one.

“In My Bag”: Star Xcaliber, Pro Destroyer, Pro Wraith, Champion Beast, Champion Orc, Champion Firebird (2), Champion Leopard, Star & Champion Gator, Z & Pro-D Buzzz, Star Ontario Roc, Soft Wizard, JK Aviar

Tourney wins and / or Top 6 finishes (not necessarily from Morley): 2007 Sun Valley Open Recreational 4th Place 2007 SoCal Championships Recreational 6th Place 2008 Ice Bowl in Paradise Recreational 5th Place 2008 Sun Valley Open Intermediate 5th Place

Favorite DG Website: I am always on the PDGA website.  I look up the statistics of players I have played against or will play in the future.  The amount of information that can be found is amazing.  I post quite a bit on discgolfersR.us as well.  It’s cool being able to put pictures of my disc golf road trips for others to see.

Favorite Pro Player: My favorite touring pro to watch would either be Dave Feldberg or Barry Schultz.  Feldberg is fun to hang out with off the course as well.  I don’t have a favorite Morley Pro because they’re all cool to play with.  Watching two pros, Big D and Roper, battle for a place on Team San Diego for the 2008 Southwest Team Tournament was probably one of the best battles I have ever seen.

Tips for other players that have helped you: Teeing off: Don't spin on your plant foot. Putting: when inside the circle, focus on a link and reduce your body motion as much as possible. Don't get stuck playing one course over and over again. Explore other regions and what they have to offer to the game.  And try to remember it is just a game.  Have fun with it.

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North vs. South San Diego Team Tournament

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slide11On February 14, the North County team travelled south for the completion of the North vs. South San Diego Team Tournament.  Some competitors were unable to make the tournament but there were a few disc golfers willing to fill in as substitutes.  The singles round started around 9am at Morley Field.  It had rained the night which made the course a little muddy but the sun was out in the morning and made for a great morning of disc golf.  In the afternoon, the competition moved over to Sun Valley for a round of doubles.  Again, the rain made the course a bit muddy which resulted in quite a few tombstones and some tough footing on the hillsides.  

The North team began the day with an 8 point lead (136-128)  but the South team received some strong play in their singles matches and took a 26 point lead into the afternoon doubles round.  Once the doubles round finished, the South increased their lead to 36 points (300-264) to secure a victory in the first annual tournament.  The results of the matches are below.  An asterisk (*) indicates a substitute from the original lineup.

Open John Heaton* 2    9 Carlo Pelg Mike Slonim 3    6 Jeff Nichols Tom Olson 5    8 Dave Vin¢ent Miker Ramos 9    4 Dean Porter Kevin Gomez 2    7 Jared Person

Master Dan Shorkey 6    4 Randy Wylot

Amateur Dave Parnell 8    3 Chance Stevens* Dave Roper 6    1 Brendon Wear Big D 5    2 Alex Nichols Justin F 5    4 Trey McKelvey* Mike Tyberg 10    2 Jeremiah Price Aaron V 4    6 Josh E* Adam Cook 10    2 Dave Lewis David Wallace 3    7 Don Vincent Chris Givans 8    3 Richard Bobby Martin 6    4 AJ Worden Ben Rutherford 13    2 Norm Newsome Clark Jackson 9    2 Alex Lawn

Women Emily Hardy 5    3 Allison Wylot Latoya Padilla 1    7 Sofia Martin

Total

South 120     86 North

Doubles John H & Latoya 4    6 Carlo & Sofia Mike S & Emily 6    7 Jeff & Allison Tom & Clark 5    6 ¢ent & Alex L Miker & Ben 8    3 Dean & Norm KG & Bobby 6    3 Jared & Richard Shorkey & Chris 2    4 Chance & AJ W Parnell & Sean Olson* 8    1 Brendon & Dave L Roper & Adam 4    2 Alex N & Don Big D & Aaron 6    5 Trey & Randy Justin & Mike T 3    5 Jeremiah & Josh E

Total

South 52     42 North

  

Morley Player Profile: Carl "Beanieman" Renda

carlCarl “Beanieman” RendaPDGA#32852 Open/Adv

Began Playing Disc Golf: I played once or twice as a teenager, but never with more than one disc. In October of 2006 I begun playing with one of my friends, and by January 2007 I played in my first tournament and I was hooked.

First Disc: One of the very first run Z-XL’s. Good straight flying disc that could be used as a midrange too. Still had it in my bag until I lost it shortly before Worlds in 2008.

Favorite Hole at Morley: Hole 15. I’ve aced it 3 times, and I know more than a few different ways to get to each pin position.

Morley Field Aces: Four. Hole 15e twice, 15a and 18a.

Favorite Disc: Cryztal Challenger. My game lives and dies by the putter. I put a lot of snap on my putts and a challenger holds a true line with that snap. The Cryztal plastic gives me the feel I need to release it with consistency. I can use it from just about any shot 100 feet and in and feel confident about my opportunity to make the putt.

Favorite Drivers: Champion Wraith, Champion Roadrunner, Sparkle Rogue

Favorite Midranges: Z Comet, FLX Buzzz, Sparkle Wasp

Favorite Putter: Cryztal Challenger is a jump putter’s best friend

In My Bag: Drivers (12) Champion Wraith, Boss, Teerex, Teebird, Roadrunner, Monarch, Destroyer, Sparkle Force, Sparkle Rogue, Cryztal Avenger SS, Z Surge, Z XL   Midranges (5): Z Comet, ESP Buzzz, Cryztal Buzzz SS, Sparkle Wasp, Champ Gator   Putters (2):FLX Challenger, Cryztal Challenger. If you think that’s a lot of plastic, I used to carry 25 when I could throw thumbers and sidearms.

Top Finishes: 1st, 2008 Amateur Mini Disc Golf World Championships (that’s right baby…world champ!) 1st, 2007 December Morley Monthly Advanced 2nd, 2008 San Marcos Ice Bowl Advanced 4th, 2008 Sun Valley Open Advanced 4th, 2008 Ice Bowl in Paradise Advanced 4th, 2008 Fling XII Advanced 4th, 2007 Fling XI Intermediate 5th, 2008 September Morley Monthly Open

Accomplishments: 50th in Amateur PDGA Points internationally 2nd in California and 1st in SoCal, 2008 2008 San Diego Aces Advanced Points Series Champion 1st in California in PDGA events played among amateurs - 2008 2008 Disc Golf Gladiators Advanced Gladiator

Favorite Disc Golf Website: Would have to be PDGA.com, or my DGRUS page. You should also check out SanDiegoAces.com and this website, Morleyfield.com.

Favorite Pro Player: The answer to this is obvious. Based on heart, hard work, passion for the game, and since I play pro at Morley, I would have to say myself. Plus if I picked one of the local pros I play with all the rest of them would get pissed. But if I had to pick one out of the top 20, it would have to be Paul McBeth. The kid phenom will be the best in the world one day, and his success hasn’t gone to his head.

Tips for newer players and players looking to improve: Develop a consistent putting routine. 40-50% of your shots are putts, so if you are a strong putter, it will buy you time for the rest of your game to develop. If you commit any amount of time, even as little as 15 minutes of putting practice each time you are at the course, over time you will develop a consistent stroke that is easy to keep in rhythm. I usually commit 45-60 minutes each time I play to putting. 15 minutes before my round, 15 minutes inbetween rounds and 15 minutes before I leave.

Innova Groove on Sale at Morley Pro Shop

groove_champion_1st_runThe Champion Groove was released on February 2nd with an INNOVA Champion Star hot stamp. The Champion Groove is the second Speed 13 driver from Innova. The Groove features an innovative groove on the underside of the rim. This channel allows this speed 13 driver to be molded in lighter weights than our other wide rim high speed drivers. The Groove offers super fast long and straight flights. It can be thrown low or high and sidearm or backhand. If the Boss proved to be too much disc for you, get into the Groove. Available in weights from 165 - 175 grams. Pick one up now at the pro shop for only $15.95.

Morley Player Profile: Kevin "KG" Gomez

img_5267Kevin “KG” GomezPDGA #25626 Division – Pro

Began Playing Disc Golf?: Growing up I was always fond of the Frisbee.  We used to play catch in the water at the beach.  At San Diego State I had enrolled in a class called intermediate Frisbee.  We learned about all the different Frisbee games from MTA to Ultimate and of course Disc Golf.  We had a field trip to Morley Field one day and we played  some disc golf. So being a poor college student we found a game that was fun, cheap and that all our friends could play.  We were recreational players playing the par 4’s when they were set in those positions. In the next few years we would play maybe once every 3-5 months for one round.  Then in early 2004 Patrick Gallaher and I went and played 3 times in one week…  I have no idea why but we did.  Then Patrick wanted to try out a monthly and so we played.  We both “cashed” in the novice division and were instantly hooked to competitive golf.

First Disc: Well I bought 2 discs. An Orange 177gram Hammer (which I still have) and a 172 Gram Yellow Magnet

Favorite Morley Hole: Hmm this is hard one.  But I would say hole 4.  You can throw a lot of different shots at the different pins positions.  Hzyer, anyzer, roller, sidearm etc.

Morley Field Aces: 9 Aces at Morley with 12 total. Hole 8c, Hole 4d, Hole 4a, Hole 14e, Hole 10b, Hole 2d, Hole 13d, Hole 7c, Hole 19c

Favorite Driver: TeeBird.  I am currently throwing star but all molds are excellent.  It is the most versatile disc ever.  You can throw all types of shot with this disc. Highly Recommended!

Favorite Midrange: I throw a lot of midranges but if I had to choose one it would be the 178 Buzzz, With the Aurora and Gator a close second.

Favorite Putter: DX Challenger

“In My Bag”: Crimson Red Texas Team Revolution Bag DX Pro Challenger (2) 175g DX Aviar Putt and Approach 170g Crystal Challenger 172g Champion Gator 175g Z-Wasp 177g Z-Buzzz 178g QMS Aurora 178g Star Stingray 180g (Dave Vincent Autographed) Star TL 174g Star TeeBird 175g Champion Firebird 174g Z-Predator 174g Champion RoadRunner 175g Pro Wraith 172g Pro Destroyer 175g Star XCaliber 175g Star TeeRex 175g Champion Boss 173g (Testing)

Favorite Disc Golf Website: 1000rated.com has great interviews

Favorite Pro Player: David Vincent.  He is the best.  I love to hear his snap when he throws the disc. Simply amazing, Close second has to be John Benefield 2005 Morley Field Am runner up!

Tips for other players: Learn how to throw flat first.  After you master that you can change the angles of release.  Make sure you follow through and finished in a balanced stance. Slow and smooth is the key.  Throw in an open field so you can see the full flight of your discs.  Keep attitude even keeled during competition, never too exited or too angry. And lastly enjoy the game and spread the game to others.

Morley Player Profile: “Big D”

Daniel “Big D” Lichtmanbig-dPDGA#25509 Open Division

Began playing disc golf?: I first found disc golf at Campland by the Bay in PB. They had a few baskets in the middle of the park, I was 10 or 11 and had a beach Frisbee, and I had a blast. The next time I saw disc golf baskets was in 1994 at Morley field, but it was a couple more years before I started playing there. Once I started playing Morley, I had the sickness, and now I can't stop!

First Disc: DX Cobra. Dark green. (thanks Snapper!) Horrible disc, but it were great to own one, and not rent anymore!

Favorite Morley Field Hole: Hole 11 without the shoe tree on hole 2. Hole 11 is the most recognized and social hole. I've met plenty of cool people there over the years. It's also the hole where I skip aced E position in a first round, and hit chains on the same basket during a second round in league.

Morley Field Aces: 15 Aces at Morley Field. Hole1(2), 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13(3), 14(2), 16, 17, 18. It seems like 13 should be my favorite hole, having aced it three times now!

Favorite Disc: Star T-Bird. I found one on a course in Indiana a few years ago, started throwing it that day, and loved it. I've replaced it a couple of times, but can't imagine my game without it.

Favorite Driver: I always waiver between the Star Destroyer and ESP Surge

Favorite Midrange: The Crystal Buzz is by far my favorite midrange, but the Comet and Gator are discs that have to go in the bag too

Favorite Putter: JK Aviar is the best piece of plastic in the bag

“In My Bag?": Champion Stingray, Champion Viking, First Run ESP Surge, Star Destroyer, Champion Orc, Sparkle Tsunami, Star T-Bird, Champion Firebird, Star Monster, Champion Gator, Crystal Buzz, First Flight Shockwave, ESP Comet, KC Pro Aviar, JK Pro Aviar, Soft JK Pro aviar

Tourney wins and / or Top 5 finishes (not necessarily from Morley): Top 5 Finishes: 2002 Spring Fling Novice 2nd Place 2004 EIEIO Intermediate 3rd Place 2004 Las Vegas Halloween Classic Intermediate 4th Place 2005 Plastic Pilots El Dorado Open Intermediate 2nd Place 2005 Emerald Isle Open (EIEIO2) Intermediate 2nd Place 2005 Morley Field Spring Fling Intermediate 2nd Place 2005 Waller Pines Open Intermediate 4th Place 2005 Casitas Coyote Classic Intermediate 1st Place Winner! 2005 Southern California Championships Intermediate 1st Place 2006 Summertime Open Advanced 4th Place 2006 Southern California Championships Advanced 3rd Place 2006 Morley Field Course Championships Amateur Champion 2007 Ice Bowl in Paradise Advanced 2nd Place 2007 Sun Valley Open Advanced 4th Place 2007 Coyote Classic Advanced 2nd Place 2008 Morley Field Course Championship Open 5th Place

Favorite DG Website: The PDGA website is the most useful website, having all the past tournament results and upcoming tournament info. Without it, I may never remember what year I placed fourth at Mountain High! DiscGolfersRus is much more social, and is a great website too. It's nice to have an outlet for pics and videos, and a place to talk disc golf trash with friends.

Favorite Pro Player: My favorite pro to play with Micah Dorius. He and I have had a lot of good times as partners on Wednesday doubles, and he has taught me quite a few things about the game. Dave Feldberg is my favorite pro to hang out with off the course. He's a goofy, fun guy who likes to party, play poker and tell lame jokes. But technically, as I must play Pro at Morley, I will have to say that my favorite pro player is Big D!

Tips for other players that have helped you: Slow down, focus and follow through... slow down your motions and follow through. Most pros look almost like they're in slow motion until the point of release, and then all the momentum you create needs to follow through your shot. Focus on your line before you even think about throwing. Visualization is key to the game. When I stand at my lie, I see the shot I want happening in my mind over and over, until it's all that I can focus on, then throw that line just like it happened in my head. Sometimes I know it's in the basket just a fraction of a second after released, since I feel the shot hit the line just like in my head.

2009 SD Aces Bag Tags

Be one of the first on the course to sport one of these cool bag tags from the San Diego Aces DGC. Bag tag challenges are a lot of fun with other club members. Low numbers are still available but they are going quick... act soon! Sign up for the club and also receive a new SD Aces logo disc! acesbagtag2009 Colors / #'s are as follows:

1-10: Black 11-25: White 26-50: Red 51-75: Orange 76-100: Yellow/Gold 101-125: Light Green 126-150: Green 151-175: Aqua

28th Annual Southwestern Team Disc Golf Invitational

img_6047

Team Sylmar beat Oregon 6.5 to 5.5 in the finals

Team order of finish Sylmar 8-0 Oregon 5-3 Huntington Beach 3-3-1 Redwood Empire 3-3-1 Arizona 3-4 San Diego 3-4 Santa Cruz 2-5 Oak Grove 0-7

Oregon 5.5 Sylmar 6.5img_6178 1 Nate Sexton 4 Steve Rico 8 2 Avery Jenkins 7 Kyle Crabtree 2 3 Dave Feldberg 7 Robert McIntee 1 4 Lane Mason 4 Gabe Cota 8 5 Andrew Rich 5 Bamba Rico 5 6 LeLand O” Driscoll 4 Chris Horn 6 7 Dion Arlyn 10 Gary Sandoval 4 8 Tom Embree 5 Steve Wisecup 3 9 Mike Ruzicka 5 Rich Dionne 7 10 Doug Saulter 4 Mike Byrne 8 11 Kurt Bayne 2 Mark Horn 0 12 Teresa Bellinger 1 Jennifer Griffin 3

Round 1 SD 8.5-OG 3.5 RE 6.5-AZ 5.5 OR 5.5-SM 6.5 HB 7.5-SC 4.5

Round 2 SD 4-AZ 8 RE 9.5-OG 2.5 SM 7-SC 5img_6189 HB 2.5-OR 9.5

Round 3 SD-4.5-HB 7.5 RE 6(33)-SM 6(37) Or 10- AZ 2 OG 3.5-SC 8.5

Round 4 SD 3-SM 9 RE 6(36)-HB 6(36) SC 7-AZ 5 OG 2-OR 10

Round 5 SD-5.5-OR 6.5 RE 7.5-SC 5.5 OG 3-SM 9 HB 4-AZ 8

Round 6 SD 6.5-SC 5.5 RE 4.5- OR 7.5 OG 6(40)- HB 6(42) AZ 3.5-SM 8.5

Round 7 SD 8-RE 4 SC 5.5-OR 6.5 HB 5-SM 7 OG 3- AZ 9

Course Championship Results

OPEN

1st-31-$375-trophy-Chris Vilmorin 2nd-28-$230-plaque-Ed Speakman 2nd-28-$230-plaque-Micah Dorius 4th-27-$120-Carlo Pelg 5th-17-$71-Jeff Nichols 5th-17-$71-Daniel Lichtman

AM

1st-14-$200 shop credit-trophy-Brandon Langston 2nd-9-$160 “ “ –plaque-Chris Hanau 3rd-6-$140 “”-plaque-Josh Egbert 4th-4-$115 “ “Paul Morgavo 4th-4-$115 “ “Chris Wymer 6th-3-$95 “ “Clark Jackson 6th-3-$95 “ “Josh Coombs 8th-2-$82.5 “ “Randy Wylot 8th-2-$82.5 “ “Mario Traba 10th-0-$75 “ “Rob Pennington 11th+2-$66 “ “Erick Bones 11th+2-$66 “ “Mike Tyberg

WOMEN

1st+15-$65-trophy-Brittney Breed 2nd+22-$40-plaque-Kayleen Boyle 3rd+31-$25-Allison Wylot

Morley Field Shoe Tree - R.I.P.

January 9, 2008 BALBOA PARK – It was called the shoe tree, and it was one of San Diego’s strangest landmarks. Hundreds of pairs of shoes – sneakers, high heels, Rollerblades, you name it – hung from its branches. For some reason, people tossed their shoes onto the massive tree, which graced hole No. 2 at Morley Field Disc Golf Course for about three decades.

Tourists – yes, tourists – would drive to Morley Field to get a peek.shoetree280

Until Sunday.

Wicked winds knocked the old tree to the ground. It had died years ago, but it was never cut down because of its popularity. Still, not everyone knew about the tree, one of 10 or so throughout Balboa Park lost to the winds.

NANCEE E. LEWIS / Union-Tribune Footwear festooned the landmark two years ago. “Oh yeah, it’s missed,” said Mitch Zunich, who works at the disc golf pro shop. “Everybody is pretty bummed out.” Zunich and other park employees suspect all of the rain-soaked shoes did the tree in. They said that when the high winds swooped in, the wet shoes served as anchors, pulling the tree to the ground. Yesterday morning, three workers used a chain saw to slice the tree into pieces. The shoes were loaded into two tractor beds – each about the size of a twin bed – and hauled to a nearby Dumpster. It took five trips to get rid of all the shoes.

Legend has it that the shoe tree started with a bet. The loser of the disc golf game had to toss his shoes into the branches. By yesterday afternoon, all that was left of the shoe tree was a single branch and a 6-foot stump. It looked as if the stump had been pushed over; the base was still attached to its roots. All of the shoes were gone, but there were two pairs of laces – one turquoise, the other white – strung around the branch. And what looked like a black handkerchief was actually a pair of Victoria Secret panties. “Somehow that’s appropriate,” a nearby golfer remarked. At some point last year, shoes started showing up on another tree. This one is on hole No. 11.

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