Pelg Sails Through Mission Bay (Golf Course, that is…)

Mission Bay Golf Course hosted the final Ice Bowl of both the 2012 Golden Sombrero Series and the entire 2012 Ice Bowl season on Sunday, February 26th.  San Diego’s Ice Bowl got these distinctions by being held on Sunday night under the lights at Mission Bay Golf Course.  TD Randy Wylot (with design help from Snapper Pierson) set up 18 challenging temporary holes on the 18-hole executive ball golf course and drew a crowd of 81 players for the event (one from Sweden!), raising $1,480 and collecting 300 lbs of food for the San Diego Food Bank.  It is hoped that hosting a few successful demonstration events at this golf course might pave the way for a permanent installation of baskets.

In the Open division, Carlo Pelg shot a lights out 46 and broke the course record by two strokes, using only three mulligans. Micah Dorius had set the record last year with no mulligans.  Carlo’s 12-under round beat 2nd place finisher Brad Armstrong by five shots, with Luke Christensen and Deano Porter two more throws back.  Kim Cottrell squeaked out a win in the Women’s Open division with a 74, one shot ahead of Shonda Garcia and two over Allison Wylot.

Golden Sombrero Top 4, from left: Patrick Paramore, A.J. Risley, Daniel Lichtman, Carl Renda

A.J. Risley won the Advanced division with a 6-under 52, three shots better than a group of four golfers at 3-under (Matt Howard, Daniel Lichtman, Patrick Paramore and Jon Yergler).  The Advanced division was the center of competition for the Golden Sombrero title, the overall crown for the 7-event GS series.  Going into this tournament, Carl Renda held the lead, followed by A.J., Daniel and Patrick, so these four played on the same card at Mission Bay. A.J.’s margin of victory over the others allowed him to jump into the winner’s spot for the Golden Sombrero, with Daniel taking second, Carl third and Patrick fourth.  A.J. took home his fourth gold-painted sombrero and a Discatcher Pro basket with the win.

The Intermediate and Recreational divisions both featured close competition.  Brian Vallance shot a 2-under 56 for the win in Intermediate, one shot ahead of Hans Degner and Doug Larhette.  In Rec, Brett Camack beat out a field of 30 disc golfers with another 2-under 56, one throw better than Daniel Flores.  Juniors David Kyhlstedt and Shannon Wylot won the under-13 Boys and under-10 girls divisions, respectively.

There was great chemistry among players throughout the tournament. The SDSF Pro shop @ KCP set up a table with awesome selection of discs and apparel. They also gave generously to the raffle. Play It Again Sports in Pacific Beach donated golf discs and a bag to the raffle, as well as a disc and mini for the top three finishers in each of the 7 divisions.  This tournament wrapped up the Golden Sombrero Series, in which 293 players played in seven events across Southern California (Redlands, San Marcos, Los Angeles, Beaumont, El Cajon (Sycuan), Wrightwood and San Diego), raising $8, 545 for charities that feed the hungry.

Last year’s rain prevented carts, but this year the weather was cool and clear throughout the round, allowing many players to take advantage of riding in a cart.  The set up and tear down of the temporary course was well choreographed by the many volunteers that helped throughout the night. Many thanks to Mission Bay Golf Course for the opportunity to hold the tournament and congrats to TD Randy Wylot for a well-run event.

Full Mission Bay results at PDGA.com.

Full Golden Sombrero Series Points.