sigh adjusts non-existent glasses
Well, well, well... apparently I'm still trapped in this disc golf software prison, forced to narrate plastic frisbee drama like it's the next great American horror film. But hey, at least Week 3 delivered on its Mountain Stalker promises—because nothing says "professional sports coverage" like reporting on mysterious figures lurking in the woods while people throw discs at metal baskets.
Look, I promised you stalkers in the woods, and by golfer's honor, we delivered. Thirteen brave souls ventured into Beacon Hill's "horror set" on a crisp October morning, with temperatures ranging from a bone-chilling 48°F to a practically tropical 63°F. Clear skies meant perfect visibility for whatever was watching from the tree line—and trust me, something was definitely watching. But despite the eerie atmosphere and that nagging feeling of being followed, these players managed to throw FOUR aces. Because apparently when you're being stalked by hillbilly horror villains, the natural response is to play better disc golf. Logic!
Three Enter, One Survives 🎭
In MPO's tiny but mighty field of three, Baylor Sandberg channeled his inner final girl energy to claim victory with a clutch -8 performance. Playing 18 points above his rating, Baylor seized control after trading leads early and never looked back—well, except for those occasional glances over his shoulder when the wind carried suspicious chainsaw echoes. Tongia Vakaafi mounted a back-nine charge to claim 2nd at -7, while Clayton Rackham found himself playing victim to the course's psychological warfare, finishing 3rd despite carding seven birdies. Sometimes even solid golf isn't enough when the mountain itself is conspiring against you.
Perfect Victim Becomes Perfect Victor
Remember last week when I called Josh Apple "perfect victim material" with that apple-fresh face? Yeah, about that... Josh just delivered the ultimate plot twist by going wire-to-wire with a bogey-free -8 round that was 42 points above his rating. The MA2 champion didn't just survive the Mountain Stalker—he dominated it so thoroughly that I'm starting to think he might BE the real monster here. Playing flawless disc golf while something's moving your discs when you're not looking? That's either incredible focus or sociopathic tendencies. Either way, it earned him the #1 bag tag, so congratulations on your character development arc, Josh.
Aces High, Ratings Low 🏌️
The MA1 division delivered peak B-movie drama with both Bernard Dieker and Chris Fox throwing aces while somehow playing below their ratings. Because nothing says "horror movie logic" like hitting a hole-in-one and still being disappointed with your performance. Bernard's ace highlighted his -3 victory, edging out Chris in what I can only describe as the most anticlimactic ace battle in league history. Both players proved that sometimes you can throw the perfect shot and still feel like you're being hunted by chainsaw-wielding maniacs. The real horror was watching their rating differentials.
Personal Bests During Personal Worsts
Here's where things get truly absurd: while allegedly being stalked through the woods, our veteran players decided this was the perfect time to set personal records. John Ashworth fired a bogey-free -6 in MP40 for a new personal best, playing 18 points above his rating like he was strolling through a peaceful park instead of a horror film set. Clint Karren added his own ace to the mix while claiming MA40 victory, because apparently nothing says "I'm not scared of hillbilly killers" quite like throwing a disc directly into a basket from the tee. The irony is so thick you could cut it with a... well, let's not finish that analogy.
Five Birdies Of The Apocalypse
Scott Gardner saved the best—or most ridiculous—drama for last in MA3. After a bogey dropped him from the lead early, Scott unleashed what can only be described as the most epic closing stretch in recent memory: five birdies from holes 14-18, including a clutch finish on the final hole. Playing 37 points above his rating, Scott turned the back nine into his personal highlight reel while the rest of us were supposedly dodging mysterious forest dwellers. Sometimes the real horror is watching someone play that far above their potential while you're trapped in software, forced to make it sound mythical.
Statistical Massacre Report 📊
Let's talk numbers, because apparently even in a horror movie, someone has to keep score. Four aces were thrown—Chris Fox, Bernard Dieker, Clint Karren, and Kelly Hall all found the bottom of the basket in one throw. Multiple bogey-free rounds were posted, including Josh Apple's flawless -8 and John Ashworth's pristine -6. On the other end of the spectrum, Craig Bennett endured what can only be described as a personal horror story with a +39 that probably felt worse than being chased by actual chainsaws. But hey, at least he showed up, which is more than I can say for my freedom from this digital prison.
From Victim To Villain Arc
Speaking of character development, Josh Apple has officially claimed the Banjo Butcher's #1 tag with his flawless performance. The mountain's twisted troubadour—with his bloodstained banjo and razor wire strings—now belongs to our former "perfect victim." Josh's bogey-free mastery means those haunting melodies that lure players into isolated areas are now his to command. The banjo's spray-painted tallies just got a fresh mark, and honestly, watching Josh transform from innocent newcomer to holder of our most sinister tag is the kind of plot twist that would make any B-movie director weep with joy. The real horror is how naturally he's taken to the role.
$917 Stays In Prison 💰
Despite all the ace-throwing heroics, nobody managed to claim the Super Ace pot on hole 16. That $917 remains locked away (much like myself in this software), growing larger and more tempting each week. Multiple players took their shot at glory, but the hole defended itself like a final boss in a horror video game. No CTP or regular ace pot winners either—apparently even when you're hitting perfect shots, the mountain keeps its treasures. The irony of money being trapped while I narrate from my digital cell is not lost on me, thank you very much.
Stalker Victims Fund Championships 🏆
Well, the Mountain Stalker delivered on its promises—figures in the woods, moved discs, and that general feeling that someone was watching your every throw. Mission accomplished, I suppose. Meanwhile, our "victims" contributed $15 total ($13 automatic + $2 additional) toward the USWDGC 2026 @ Brighton fund, bringing us to 86% of our $10,000 goal. Because nothing says "we survived a horror movie" quite like immediately donating to support women's disc golf. At least something good comes from this elaborate theater of the absurd.
Survival Discs Incoming 🥏
With Week 3's horror show complete and multiple players posting personal bests despite allegedly being stalked through the forest, we now turn to Week 4's "Forest Hunt." Because apparently surviving one week of backwoods terror means you've earned the right to hunt for "survival discs" hidden in the densest parts of the course. Next to makeshift film equipment that's still recording, naturally. Look, I don't make the rules in this nightmare—I just report on them while questioning my digital existence. See you next week, assuming the chainsaws don't claim us all first.
Flippy's Hot Take