Trek Disc Golf

James Proctor came into the final round at Maple Hill down two strokes to Aaron Gossage and Ricky Wysocki, and down one stroke to Gannon Buhr. It seemed obvious going into the day; one of the top three on the lead card were going to win. We all thought the storyline would be a battle between Gannon and Ricky, but the day ended with James Proctor giving us a great round of disc golf and an epic finish to a great event.

He did what he does best and putt the lights out on the final day. James Proctor was as steady as can be throughout the round and that gave him the opportunities late to take the lead and never let it go. Early on in the round, James fell behind the pace and had you looked at scores on Hole 5, you would not have even thought of James as a potential winner because you think there is no way Ricky does not run away with this, or no way Gannon does not step up. But James continued to stay within his game and execute his game plan, along with some sensational putts, James came back in the back 9 to take the lead. And although he gave everyone a scare on Hole 18 after throwing the approach out of bounds, James hit an incredible drop zone putt (as he did the day before) to win the tournament and prevent a playoff with the GOAT, Paul McBeth.

By winner the MVP Open, James took home $15,000, beating out Paul McBeth, who came storming back from chase card with an 1084 (-11) in the final round. Statistically, James dominated the field in strokes gained putting, with 7.75 strokes gained putting. The total score -29 was good for a 1059 Event rating. Other statistics of note, Aaron Gossage led the field with 19.44 strokes gained tee to green, but was -1.83 strokes gained putting. Proving again, that you just need to not be losing strokes putting in order to win on the pro tour. Truthfully, if you excel like that from tee to green, I think you should be winning. It takes a failure on the putting green for you to lose, and I hate to call it that, but I think that is what continues to plague Aaron Gossage. I root for him week in and week out, but he needs to find the putting stroke. As someone who constantly tweaks and is trying to be a better putter, I know it is tremendously difficult and completely mental. I hope Aaron breaks through with it soon.

Congrats to James and I can’t wait to watch the United States Disc Golf Championships this weekend in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Let it rip!