Jones Outduels Dickerson in DGPT Finals Classic; Allen Takes Third in FPO

Photo by Brittany Dickerson

There was a lot on the line for The Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship in Charlotte, N.C. including the largest pro purse in disc golf history and a shot at appearing on ESPN 2. With those stakes, both the Open and Open Women's divisions delivered nail-biters in the season finale.

Kevin Jones emerged as the champion in MPO after a heavyweight clash with teammate and newly minted United States Disc Golf Champion Chris Dickerson that came down to the very last hole. Catrina Allen was in it until the very end in FPO, as well, coming in third. Jones took home the big $20,000 check, and all three players will be in the ESPN 2 spotlight come November.

Jones nearly missed out on the final after being stung by Hole 17 at Hornet's Nest in the semis, but he was able to hold down the last spot and made it count. He and Dickerson stormed out of the gates to make it a two man race early. Jones was 7-under par through 10 holes, while Dickerson put together eight birdies in a row to go 8-down through 10. 

Jones made up the stroke on the back half of the course, and safely navigated Hole 17 to put himself tied with Dickerson at 9-under going into hole 18. It was a bit of déjà vu Dickerson, who was tied with the title on the line in last years final.

The reigning champ was first up out of the pair on Hole 18, and turned his drive over into the right side rough to open the door for Jones, who took advantage. He placed his drive inside the circle, and with Dickerson finding some more cabbage on the way out, was able to lay up for the win and deny the three-peat.

The road to the finals was also tough in Open Women, and Allen bounced back from early trouble to solidify her place on the final day, going for back-to-back wins at the event. She used the course's midsection to do so, going 4-under from Holes 9 though 13. It was a stretch she found friendly on the final day, as she put together four consecutive birdies from 10 through 13 to put herself in position to fight for the win.

She found unfortunate trouble of her own on Hole 17 but showed incredible grit with her birdie on 18 to put pressure back on the leaders. Two perfect shots left her with a tap in to wrap up her season with yet another podium finish, her 15th in 18 events. She never finished outside sixth place with five wins.