Written by Becky McSeddon

Local Tournament Directors Mercedes Kaiser and Graham Russell and Lake Havasu City Disc Golf Club will be hosting the 7th Annual Lake Havasu City Disc Golf Course on February 3rd and 4th at SARA Park Disc Golf Course. Hosted the Havasu City Open.

148 players from across the United States competed in two rounds of 24 holes over two days.

“No matter where disc golfers come from, they always feel like family to us. We love disc golf, the people, and the camaraderie in every aspect that this event brings. It really gets better every year. Directors agreed.

With a continued focus on growing the sport of disc golf and building a youth disc golf program in Lake Havasu City, the club raised more than $500 in the raffle.

With the funds raised from this tournament, the club plans to purchase disc golf equipment and provide it to local elementary schools.

Photo courtesy of Mercedes Kaiser

Since implementing its goal last year, the club has donated to two schools so far and plans to continue making donations.

If you're interested in disc golf, there are several courses in the city, including SARA Park Disc Golf Course and the free-to-play course at Grand Island Park. If you would like more information, please contact Lake Havasu City Disc Golf Club via Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Mercedes Kaiser

The top winners in each professional category, including locals from Lake Havasu City and Kingman, are:
Mixed Pro Open (MPO) Total field of 36 players
1st place: Levi Hancock (Utah) – 29 under, ($1,085 in prize money)
2nd place: Nick Newton (Tucson) – 28 under ($713 prize money)
3rd place: Stephen Gary (Tempe) -26 under (prize of $517)
4th place: Graham Russell (Lake Havasu City) – 25 under ($413 in prize money)

Women's Pro Open (FPO) Total field of 6 players
1st place: Jennifer Allen (Gilbert), -11 under, ($389 prize money)
2nd place: Hanna Stefanovic (Tucson) – 2 under ($246 prize money)
3rd place: Renae Gliddon (Nevada), par +5 ($185 prize money)
4th place: Christy Artiglio (Kingman) Par +6

Mixed Pro 40+ (MP40) Total field of 17 players
1st place: Andrew Baume (Tucson), -19 under, ($700 prize money)

2nd place: Joshua Johnson (Flagstaff), -18 under (prize of $487)
3rd place: Jeff Jacquart (Nevada) – 17 under ($348 in prize money)
4th place: Matt Wafford (Lake Havasu City) – 13 under ($255 prize money)

The top finishers in each amateur division, including local athletes from Lake Havasu City and Kingman, are as follows:

Mixed Amateur 1 (MA1) Total field of 10 players
1st place: Jonathan Photino (Lake Havasu City) – 10 under
2nd place: Jordan Hicks (Mesa) -7 under
3rd place: James Bedra (Phoenix) -7 under

Women's Amateur 1 (FA1) Total field of 2 players
1st place: Kylie Shenabar (Kingman) Par 9
2nd place: Katie Ernst (Nevada), par +19

Mixed Amateur 40+ (MA40) Total field of 6 players
1st place: Rhett Rucker (Flagstaff) -5 under
2nd place: Roko Hrujiev (Lake Havasu City) Par +1
3rd place: Dale McClurken (Nevada) Par +2
4th place: Chris Shenabar (Kingman), par +14

Mixed Amateur 50+ (MA50) Total field of 7 players
1st place: Ron Smith (Tucson) – 1 under
2nd place: Rick Godden (Oregon), par +4
3rd place: Chad Lacy (Lake Havasu City) Par +5

Mixed Amateur 2 (MA2) Total field of 26 players
1st place: Alex Abestles (Phoenix) -9 under
2nd place: Peter Corbett (Lake Havasu City) – 5 under
3rd place: Timothy Lloyd (Tucson) – 4 under
4th place: Rob George (Colorado) – 2 under
5th place: Aaron Riggs (Lake Havasu City) Even par
6th place: Jordan Schlichter (Lake Havasu City) Par +1

Mixed Amateur 3 (MA3) Total field of 24 players
1st place: James Castulita (Nevada) Par +1
2nd place: Wyatt Wafford (Lake Havasu City) Par +2
3rd place: Robert Gordon (Utah) Par +6

Mixed Junior Under 12 (MJ12) Junior Tee, field for a total of 2 players
1st place: Jared Kasturita (Nevada) – 7 under
2nd place: Blaine Russell (Lake Havasu City) Par +6

A complete list of tournament divisions, participants and winners can be found on the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) event website. https://www.pdga.com/tour/event/75729