Paul McBeth: 3-Time Memorial Champion

03.03.14

This time last year Paul McBeth was celebrating his dramatic final round at the Memorial Championship; an 1132 rated 39 at Fountain Hills. The celebration however, was bittersweet. While Paul had delivered the highest rated round in disc golf history, he did not win the tournament. Energized by the loss, McBeth would go on to win three of the season’s seven remaining tour events. He also tacked on three of four PDGA Majors, including his second consecutive world title.

As the tour rolled back into Scottsdale this year, Paul was determined to recapture the Memorial crown. Teammates like Jared Roan, Drew Gibson, David Wiggins Jr., Chris Becker, and Philo Brathwaite would all have a little something to say about that before the weekend was through. By the time Saturday’s final round began, Philo, Jared, and Drew had each tasted the lead.Despite a plethora of great storylines, Saturday’s most significant wound up being the weather. “We had it all on Saturday”, said McBeth. “Wind, rain, heat, cold, lightning, and even total calm.”Light rain and slippery conditions greeted the lead group which featured a three-way tie for the lead between Paul McBeth, Drew Gibson, and JohnE McCray. Jared Roan rounded out the foursome just one shot back. Light rain escalated to driving rain almost immediately. Before the group could make the turn the weather had gone from dark and nasty, to hot and sunny. Threatening clouds rolled back over Fountain Hills about midway through the back nine. With them came another deluge that flooded parts of the course and suspended play due to lightning. Fortunately everyone made it through the storms without harm.During all of these bizarre meteorological occurrences, McBeth remained focused on the task at hand. He carded an impressive round of 47 which earned him a 4 stroke victory and his third Memorial title. Drew Gibson finished third outright, while Jared settled into a tie for 4th.