Houck design through the Georgia woods always presents a challenge
October 11, 2019 by Christopher Wiklund and Jacob Wilkins in News with comments
We have reached the final PDGA National Tour event of the season, and what a season it has been.
The Ed Headrick Hall of Fame Classic caps off what is likely going to be the most talked-about touring season in recent memory. Coming off the heels of an exciting and closely contested United States Disc Golf Championship, players will be looking to finish their 2019 season on a strong note before packing up their bags and heading home for the offseason.
Unfortunately, the three top rated Open players in the game will not be in attendance. Paul McBeth is out with an ankle injury that reportedly dogged him throughout the USDGC. Ricky Wysocki has been sidelined with Lyme disease. Eagle McMahon is suffering from a self-inflicted boxer’s fracture on this throwing had, resulting from a frustrated punch on the ground in Rock Hill.
The East Coast and final leg of the season has exacted a heavy toll on the top of the field, but you should turn that frown upside down, disc golf fan, because you are going to get to watch the likes of James Conrad, Simon Lizotte, Paige Pierce, and Catrina Allen tear it up at the International Disc Golf Center.
Conrad is, of course, coming off his first Major win, and if there was any course that would suit the reigning U.S. champ, it would be W.R. Jackson. Will there be a post USDGC hangover for Conrad? It’s hard to say. Conrad’s previous elite event wins — 2018 MVP Open, 2017 Idlewild Open — were followed up with a sixth place finish at the 2018 Pro Worlds and a fourth place finish at the 2017 Pittsburgh Open. Last year Conrad placed 10th at the HOFC, and finished fifth in 2017.
Since we saw the Open Women’s division, Kristin Tattar has absconded to Estonia with the US Women’s title, and the likes of Allen, Sarah Hokom, and Rebecca Cox have had a couple weeks to stew on it. Last season, Allen beat Pierce by eight strokes in Appling and certainly hopes to take her fourth NT win of the season.
Past Winners
| PDGA Tier | Open | Open Women | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | NT | Paul McBeth | Catrina Allen |
| 2017 | NT | Ricky Wysocki | Catrina Allen |
| 2015 | NT | Michael Johansen | Paige Pierce |
| 2013 | NT | Ricky Wysocki | Sarah Cunningham |
| 2011 | A | Dave Feldberg | Sarah Cunningham |
| 2009 | A | Kris Orrick | Sarah Cunningham |
| 2007 | NT | Dave Feldberg | Des Reading |
| 2005 | NT | Phil Arthur | Juliana Korver |
| 2003 | NT | Cam Todd | Elaine King |
The Course
W.R. Jackson: MPO – 10,485 feet, par 68; FPO – 9,543 feet, par 67
This is a John Houck designed course and features all of the trademarks: tight landing zones, fairway options, and sucker gaps which will test the competitor’s distance control, accuracy, and mental fortitude. W.R. Jackson is heavily-wooded and reminiscent of Iron Hill for it’s demanding distance and requirement for shop shaping.
Extended Forecast
High pressure will lead to nice and calm conditions on Friday. Southerly flow ahead of an approaching cold front will lead to hotter and windier conditions on Saturday. The aforementioned cold front will stall across the area Sunday. This will lead to a bit more cloud cover for championship Sunday.
Friday: Afternoon highs will warm to the mid 80s. The wind should remain calm.
Saturday: Southwest winds around 5 to 10 mph will push afternoon highs into the upper 80s.
Sunday: Increased cloud cover will limit highs to the low to mid 80s. An isolated afternoon shower or storm may be possible.
How to Follow
JomezPro will be on the ground providing next day post-produced coverage for MPO, and The Disc Golf Guy will be providing post-produced coverage of FPO lead card. Ace Run Productions will have some A-tier coverage and final round NT.
