Fourth Annual Four States Open is Best Ever, The Monkey Does It Again!

This year's tournament was a Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) C-Tier sanctioned event. At least five states were represented by 112 disc golfers that day. In addition to Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas being represented, there was also at least one player from Iowa that made the trip for this annual event. The golfers played two rounds of 18 holes, taking advantage of our 27 permanent baskets and teepads, and also playing nine temporary holes set up specifically for this event each year. Players competed in 10 different divisions, ranging from Juniors to Grandmasters (50+) to Professional division. All players received as part of their “player's pack” a commemorative shirt and disc. Players were also able to take advantage of a nearly-free lunch sponsored by Schlotzky's, and an after party sponsored by Coors.

Russ “Disc Golf Monkey” Burns was able to take top prize, edging out the 46th ranked player in the world to do so. His final score of 94 (-16) included the two best rounds thrown. The other winners were: Advanced Division – Ty Fansler, 96; Advanced Masters (40+) – Brian Hoi, 111; Advanced Grandmasters (50+) – Bruce Heidebrecht, 108; Intermediate – Michael Cory, 102; Intermediate Women – Sarah Slane, 127; Recreational – Derik Jones, 104; Recreational Women – Christine West, 136; Junior Boys – Eric Brock, 138; Junior Girls – Phoenix Rogers, 135.

The players packs, new tee signs, tournament prizes, and lunch were all made possible with the help of local sponsors, including Miracle Ear, Wells Fargo, Schlotzky's, Pittsburg Disc Golf Club, Frack Chiropractic, Performance Coatings Plus, Ottawa County Disc Golf Club, Lowe's, HealthePath, Jukebox Saturday Night, Jinks Greenhouse, A1 Climate Control, the Schmidt Family, Quizno's, Hackett Hot Wings, Bicycle Specialists Extreme, Software Center, Parsons Disc Golf Club, Ozarks Disc Golf Club, Northwestern Mutual, The Disc Golf Monkey and Black Dog Productions. Also contributing as “Monkey Tour” sponsors were Coors, Hooters, Gateway Disc Sports, Discs Unlimited, Innova, Quality Trim & Sign, Creator Designs, and the PDGA.

Next year's tournament looks to be even bigger and better. The City of Joplin has taken a proactive role in improving the course, and helping us to incorporate more of the city's resources into the upcoming events. We hope that we can count on you to help us make the Fifth Annual Four States Open even better! Kevin Cardert prizes, and lunch were all made possible with the help of local sponsors, including Miracle Ear, Wells Fargo, Schlotzky's, Pittsburg Disc Golf Club, Frack Chiropractic, Performance Coatings Plus, Ottawa County Disc Golf Club, Lowe's, HealthePath, Jukebox Saturday Night, Jinks Greenhouse, A1 Climate Control, the Schmidt Family, Quizno's, Hackett Hot Wings, Bicycle Specialists Extreme, Software Center, Parsons Disc Golf Club, Ozarks Disc Golf Club, Northwestern Mutual, The Disc Golf Monkey and Black Dog Productions. Also contributing as Monkey Tour sponsors were Coors, Hooters, Gateway Disc Sports, Discs Unlimited, Innova, Quality Trim & Sign, Creator Designs, and the PDGA.

Next year's tournament looks to be even bigger and better. The City of Joplin has taken a proactive role in improving the course, and helping us to incorporate more of the city's resources into the upcoming events. We hope that we can count on you to help us make the Fifth Annual Four States Open even better!

Kevin Carder