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DGTV Fall Open wrap up

September 20 and 21st the DGTV Fall Open was held at the beautiful Telemark Resort. Nestled in northwest Wisconsin, this event is one of beauty and grueling competition. Mt. Telemark is home to a permanent 24 hole course. For the event 3 holes are added to make it 27, 1 round per day to make an even 54 holes for regulation play. 109 players from 7 different states made the trek to compete in this PDGA A tier event including many of the sports top players.

After day one, it was Nikko Locastro setting the pace with a hot 1047 rated round of 78, a course record for 24 hours.

Hot on Nikko’s heals were a slew of top notch players, Cale Leiviska 2 back, Avery Jenkins 3, Timmy Gill and Chris Heeren 4 back. Also lurking and hungry for redemption were cannon arms Paul McBeth and Wisconsin distance record holder Jon Drummond.

Enjoying a second consecutive day of perfect fall weather, round two was a very close race. With five par 4’s, a par 5 and drastic elevation changes, each player had their chances to make a move. Cale did just that and shot a new course record of 76, a 1049 rated round which gained 3 on Nikko and giving him a 1 stroke lead entering the final 9. Avery, Timmy and Chris shot 1000+ rated rounds but failed to make the final 9 due to the fact that Paul McBeth fired a 79 (1032 rated) and Jon Drummond tied Cales course record with a 76, 12 strokes better than his first round.

Before the final started, holding a one stroke lead, Cale asked Nikko to split the money between first and second. With $1000 for first and $600 for second, Nikko denied the request. Many players agree to splits, some do not. Some approve of splits, some do not.

The final 9 holes were laid out so the gallery could watch majority of the holes from the base of the hill. With many ooohs and ahs from the gallery, the guys put on quite the show.

With 3 holes to play, it appeared Cale was on cruise control with a 3 shot lead. The 7th hole of the final 9 was a 400 foot shot over an OB parking lot. Cale played it very safe and settled for a three. Nikko ripped a skipper off the parking lot and splashed the chains on the left side and popped out. Crowd went wild. The eighth hole was a 550 foot par four up a steep incline to a basket perched next to a hundred year old majestic pine. Nikko carded the 3 while Cale took a par 4. With the lead down to one, hole 9 was a 700 foot par 4 down that same hill they just climbed. Nikko hyzered short and left while Cale ripped a Force right down the pipe giving him an easy approach. In front of the gallery Cale dropped in his birdie 3 and wrapped up his first Fall Open victory.

Instantly after the win, Nikko challenged to Cale to play the final 9 over again for $500. Cale denied the request.

Other divisional champions: Brad Milder (Master Pro) Tom Hammes (Master Advanced) Jayne Snider (Adv. Women) Carl Hall (advanced) Johnny Ricci (Intermediate)

Photos by: Ian Ashton