Steve Carson  › 2012 Bad Monkey Open   July 13, 2012 at 7:51pm

Ninety-nine players from around the Pacific Northwest converged on Leverich Park this past weekend for the a PDGA sanctioned disc golf tournament. Players participated in eight different divisions divided by skill level, age and gender during the two day event sponsored by Bad Monkey Bikes in Vancouver, Washington. This was the fourth year that this event has been held at Leverich Park. Over $3,000 in gift certificates were awarded to the winners of the various divisions.

Three players, Jason McGrew, Brad Smethers and Jeremy Sines took home an $85 gift certificate to Bad Monkey Bikes for hitting a hole in one (Ace) during the tournament. The winner of the Novice division was Rob Sumrall a local of the Carter Park Neighborhood. Recreational winner Nathan Silva of Beaverton was playing in his first tournament. Mindy Carbajal of Kings Beach, California won the Intermediate Women's division and Ryan Tech of Vancouver took first in the Intermediate Men's division posting one of the top 4 scores overall in the event.

In the Advanced Divisions, Jeff Elliott of Vancouver won Advanced Grandmasters for players over 50 years of age, and Stuart Hicks of Beaverton won Advanced Masters for players over 40. Mat Owens and Erin Reichel both of Portland won the Advanced Mens and Advanced Women's divisions respectively. Owens was playing in his second Bad Monkey Open, having finished next to last in the advanced division last year.

The top four players overall were invited to play in a Final Nine Skins Match. Grandmaster Hicks, Master Elliot, Intermediate Tech and Advanced Owens delighted the gallery as they played a challenging 9 hole safari course designed by Firefly Disc Golf just for this event, highlighted by spectacular putts on the 7th hole by Owens and the 9th hole by Elliott. After the awards ceremony players and guests were invited to participate in the traditional "Ring of Fire".

Owens was very excited to win this tournament. "Those of you who know me know how much this tournament meant to me last year. I came in second to last and grew a rat tail for ayear because of it. To come back and win it this year is the best feeling I've ever had." said Owens.

Local sponsors helped make the event possibly, with Bad Monkey Bikes buying everyone that played t-shirts and lunch on Sunday. "Working with Bad Monkey Bikes is awesome!" said Steve Carson of Firefly Disc Golf promotions. "They not only put down some serious money to make this event possible, but they come out and help physically to prepare the course for the event."

For complete results check out the PDGA's web site at: http://www.pdga.com/tournament_results/78361 or Disc Golf Scene with links to many of the player's profiles: http://www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/2012_Bad_Monkey_Open