White Squirrel Challenge Presents Windy Challenge for Area DG Players; Feldhake Captures First Win

Saturday proved to be a stern test for area disc golfers who battled both strong winds and rain at the White Squirrel Challenge at Olney's Rotary Park.

More than 60 players entered the event, which was under the direction of Effingham's Joseph Garland.

Tad Carlson of Champaign won the Open Division with a -4 total, going 64-60=124. Garland, who also competed in the Open Division, shot 61-66=127 to finish second by three shots at -1. Garland was the first round leader. Effingham native Alex Schimmelpfenning, who relocated to the Effingham area recently, finished third at +3 131, and Caleb Laurent of Lake St. Louis, Missouri finished fourth in Open at +9.

In the Advanced Division, Effingham's Andrew Burgholzer finished third at +6 while Cole Mintert of Mattoon finished fourth at +18. 

Marty Ellison of Olney, who often competes at the Effingham disc golf course, won the Amateur Masters 40+.

In Intermediate Division competition, Ben Ruholl of Effingham finished third at +16.

In the Recreational Division, Bob Feldhake of Dieterich captured top honors, shooting +11 to win by eight shots. Paul Stice of Watson finished fifth at +24, while Ben Keller of Effingham finished sixth at +26. Zeb Berry of Effingham finished eighth at +29.

In Novice Division, Andrew "Butter" Miller finished third with a +25 total.

One other area disc golfer, Mark Jones of Effingham competed in the Leadbelt Open in Farmington, Missouri Saturday. Jones finished eighth in Advanced Division, posting a +3 score.