Team Raynor-Mallery rallies for disc golf win

Eagle on 8, birde on 9 fuels rally for Raynor-Mallery
Doubles play resumes Dec. 19 in Cumberland

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For AlleganyPlayground.com

MOUNT SAVAGE — According to disc golf manufacturer Innova, a putt is defined as “any throw from within 10 meters or less, as measured from the rear of the marker disc to the base of the hole.” Ten meters is just shy of 33 feet.

An AlleganyPlayground.com photo
Keith Raynor teamed up with Colby Mallery for the doubles league victory on Sunday in Mount Savage.

On the 18th and and final hole, David Warder found himself in a difficult “putt-plus” situation — that is, a putt, plus a little extra.

Warder let his disc fly for the tie, but it sailed just below the basket. The miss secured the Western Maryland Disc Golf Fall/Winter Doubles League victory for Keith Raynor and Colby Mallery on Sunday afternoon at Mile Lane Disc Golf in Mount Savage.

Raynor, 45, of Vale Summit, and Mallery, 18, of Mount Savage, finished with a low round of 54. They were one stroke ahead of Warder, 31, of Eckhart, and Scott Mallery, 53, of Mount Savage. The father-son duo of Bill Shreve, 45, and Ethan Shreve, 18, both of Cumberland, rounded out the top three teams in competition with a score of 60.

Doubles play scoring and competition format can change from week to week. This time, teams played alternate shot. While both players from each team threw from the tee, the team could pick the best and, this week, there was no limit on how many times a player’s drive could count.

Even with the relaxed rules, Raynor and Mallery had to work just to get back into contention.

After the first seven baskets, Warder-Mallery led by three strokes — 19 to the Raynor-Mallery duo’s score of 22. The Shreves were five off the lead.

An AlleganyPlayground.com photo
Colby Mallery drives from the tee on the front nine.

Hole No. 8 is a par-4, with only 218 feet (and a slew of trees) between tee and basket. Colby Mallery’s drive landed about seven feet from the basket, and Raynor tapped in the putt for the eagle. Team Warder-Mallery’s lead was cut by two-thirds, as they lost two strokes by making par on No. 8.

Raynor and Mallery pulled even on the very next hole — No. 9 is 216 feet, par three. Again, it was Mallery’s drive got them close and Raynor’s putt made birdie. Team Warder-Mallery bogeyed No. 9, and over two holes Raynor-Mallery gained four strokes.

After the front nine, Raynor and Mallery were at 26, with Team Warder-Mallery one stroke behind. The Shreves were five strokes off the lead.

Warder and Mallery forged a tie on No. 10, then pulled ahead again on No. 12 when they made par on the 338-foot hole while Raynor and Mallery bogeyed the hole, needing four tries before dropping a disc in the bottom of the basket.

An AlleganyPlayground.com photo
David Warder from the tee.

The two teams traded scores on Nos. 13 and 14 before Raynor and Mallery took the lead for good on the third-to-last basket. Hole No. 16 is a par-4 adventure that has 344 feet between tee and basket. Raynor and Mallery managed a birdie, while Team Warder-Mallery made par.

Doubles play resumes Sunday, Dec. 19, at Central Assembly of God in Cumberland. Registration begins at about 1:30 p.m. and tee time is at 2 p.m. There is a $5 registration fee for both league members and the general public. All ages and abilities are welcome.