July 25, 2009 marked the first Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) tournament in Springfield since 2005 (Sunburn Open). The Fantastic Caverns Open was held on the beautiful grounds of Fantastic Caverns. Despite less than desirable weather to start the event, people came from all over for a chance to play the unique and challenging course. Six states were represented including; Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Idaho! Seventy-eight players creating 10 divisions were in attendance which made for a huge field with foursomes and fivesomes on every hole. The Fantastic Caverns Open was a Monkey Tour record for female participants with 10 in three seperate divisions. Thank you for your attendance ladies!

As mentioned earlier, the day started with some severe weather including lightening and heavy rain. The severe weather left, but the rains continued all day. The rain kept most players from shooting their best, but St. Louis native and Open Professional player Bryan Johnson had little trouble shooting an incredible 43 & 45. Both rounds were 1000 rated rounds. With his 20 under 88 score, Bryan destroyed the field by 14 strokes! Other winners included, Alicia Johnson (Junior Girls), Shana Swanson (Open Women), Becky Schoenberg (Recreational Women), Chad Chadwick (Advanced Men), Cory Anderson (Intermediate), Frank Hebert (Recreational Men), George Skinner (Advanced Grand Master), Andrew Williams (Junior Boys), and Mark Martin (Pro Masters). Congratulations to all of you on a great played tournament.

After the awards were handed out all participants were invited to an after party at Hooters sponsored by our newest Tour Sponsor Coors! Thank you Coors for being such an incredible sponsor! Disc Golf Monkey looks forward to working with you as often as possible. Over 60 people attended the after party and enjoyed free salad, wings, hamburgers, and hot dogs. Everyone in attedance was able to participate in the "Must be present to win Raffle" (benefiting the EDGE program). Prizes were donated by; Hooters, Coors, Wal Mart, EDGE, and the Disc Golf Monkey. They included discs, shirts, backpacks, games, a basket, and a Nintendo Wii! I am proud to announce that we raised over $400 for EDGE puting us closer to the $1500 goal in which DGM will purchase a 9 hole course, 150 discs, and a disc golf curriculum guide for a local school. Remember that we all have a hand in growing the sport we love. Thank you for your contributions.

A special thanks go out to the Fantastic Caverns and their wonderful grounds crew for going the extra mile in preparing the land for the event. As always nothing would be possible without supporters of the Disc Golf Monkey Tour 2009. Sponsors for this event were Hooters, Big Whiskeys, Coors, Karma Salon, & Amazing Chaney Autobody & Paint. Tour sponsors included Innova Champion Discs, Discs Unlimited, Creator Designs, Quality Trim & Sign, and Gateway Disc Sports. Until next time, August 28, 2009 (Little Big Show in Neosho), keep playing, recruiting, and furthering our sport!