Garland, Jones Compete at Tennessee Disc Golf State Championship

While disc golf tournaments in Illinois have been hard to come by due to the pandemic, local players Joe Garland and Mark Jones traveled to Morristown, Tennessee Thursday to compete in the Tennessee Disc Golf State Tournament.

(JOE GARLAND)

Garland and Jones hit the road early in the morning and reached the tournament site in early afternoon. They were none the worse for the wear as they piled out of Jones' car and competed in a sanctioned tournament. Garland shot -10 to tie for first, while Jones was one shot back at -9. 

The state tournament began on Friday. Competitors played on a different course on each of the three days of the competition. The day after the long drive might have taken its toll as both local players finished over par in their first round.

(MARK JONES)

Things changed on Saturday, though. After going out and playing a well below par recreational round Friday evening, Garland posted a -9 in the Saturday tournament round while Jones shot -5 and both players were under par for the tournament.

In final round action Sunday, Garland shot -5 while Jones shot -2.

Garland finished the tournament with an eight under total while Jones wound up at -4. 

Two of the competition courses were especially long, while the forested hill country of Tennessee presented other challenges.

Garland and Jones are both pleased that things are opening up for tournament play. The Professional Disc Golf Association has canceled major tournament play until July.

Discussions are underway for another local disc golf tournament in the fall. More than 50 disc golfers turned out for the competition at Community Park last October.