Innova Women Secure Podium Finishes
Team Innova’s FPO players fought and scrambled through four rounds on the famed W.R. Jackson Course in Appling, Georgia to earn three podium finishes at the first Major of the year, the 2023 Champions Cup. We had five FPO players in the top 10 and a host of athletes who finished above the cashline. For the MPO, Team Innova’s newest addition, Joonah Heinänen, shot the hot round on the final day at -12, tying the W.R. Jackson course record.
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W.R. Jackson and the IDGC
This was the 2nd edition of a tournament that looks like it will be here for the long haul. The players love the venue and already consider the Champions Cup to be as important as the other Majors. The event is played on the famed W.R. Jackson course located at the International Disc Golf Center in Appling, Georgia. The John Houck design is a heavily wooded, par 68 that plays over 10,000 feet. Scrambling skills, ability to make obstructed putts, and strong mental game are all crucial to scoring well. It is currently the 11th ranked course on Udisc and it is easy to see why. Each hole is fair, challenging, and requires a unique shot. The location is beautiful and the history at the IDGC motivates and inspires the athletes.
Photo by DGPT
The IDGC is a huge, must-see attraction for passionate disc golf fans. The property holds three championship level courses, warm-up greens, and a comprehensive pro shop. But the IDGC is about more than just playing; here we honor and remember the most significant people and moments of disc golf history. The Disc Golf Hall of Fame celebrates giants of our sport and the Ed Headrick Memorial Museum showcases a portion of disc golf’s history as it progressed from pie tins to the modern golf disc. Visit the IDGC to learn more about the roots of our sport and play some of the finest courses in the world.
Ohn Scoggins Best Ever FPO Major Finish
Photo by DGPT
Ohn Scoggins had the best finish of her career at a Major event in FPO, taking home 2nd place! Because the first place finisher, Kristin Tattar, had amassed such a significant lead going into the final rounds, the last couple days felt like a heated battle for 2nd. Ohn managed to stay focused and hungry, moving herself up 5 spots and onto the podium in the final two rounds. She did so by limiting damage and saving par where she made mistakes. Ohn had the 2nd fewest bogeys in the field and was 2nd in Scramble percentage. On a course with tight, wooded lines like W.R. Jackson, strong scrambling makes all the difference.
With her 2nd place finish at the Champions Cup, Ohn jumped up into 2nd place of the DGPT points standings. This is her 4th podium at a DGPT Silver Event or better so far this year. She is playing as consistently as anyone in the field. Ohn remains the top rated FPO player without a DGPT victory to her name; she looks determined to change that this season.
Mertsch and King Tie for 3rd
Kat Mertsch had her strongest finish at a Major event as well, tying for 3rd place. She shredded the course on day one, shooting a -7, the hottest round of the weekend not shot by the winner. She went on to shoot three more solid rounds of golf to maintain her podium position. Kat led the field in birdie percentage and was 2nd in C1 Hits in Regulation. That said, it was more than Kat’s driving that led her to such a strong result. Kat Mertsch was 5th in the field in Strokes Gained Putting, and had multiple highlight putts from deep circle two throughout the event.
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Hailey King finished in a tie for 3rd place as well. Hailey seems to flourish under the pressure of Major events. She made the lead card on day one, and kept the pedal to the metal for the rest of the weekend. The 2022 USWDGC Champion averaged 980 rated golf, finishing 4th in the field in Birdie percentage and C2 Hits in Regulation. Hailey is among the most talented players on the scene. With how much she has already accomplished, it is easy to forget that Hailey is one of the youngest players on tour. If she keeps her fire, determination, and love for disc golf, Hailey may well turn out to be an all-time great.
Jessica Weese continued a fantastic 2023 season, taking 7th place at last weekend’s Champions Cup. She led the field in Parked percentage and was 3rd in Birdie percentage. She has finished in the top ten of 5 out of the 6 events she has played this season, all Silver Events or better. Her result last weekend moved Jessica into 7th place in the DGPT points standings.
Henna Blomroos finished in a tie for 8th. As always, Henna’s driving was on point. She was 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained Tee to Green, Parked Percentage, C2 Hits in Regulation, and 2nd in the field in C1 Hits in Regulation.
Pro Tour Heads to Arkansas
Disc golf Majors carry a special weight. Not only because they are worth more tour points and money, but because they are the events that history remembers most. At last weekend’s Champions Cup, Team Innova’s women showed that they thrive under the added pressure of a Major. With three more Majors left to play this year, keep eyes on Ohn, Hailey, Kat, and the rest of the Team; we’ve got a big win just on the horizon.
Next weekend, the Disc Golf Pro Tour will be in Jonesboro, Arkansas for the 2023 Play It Again Sports Jonesboro Open. Calvin Heimburg took down the event in 2022 and is on an absolute heater this season; he will be a favorite going into the weekend. Follow Calvin and Team Innova live on the Disc Golf Network and catch tournament recaps, tips, and Innova news at innovadiscs.com.
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