Davies-Warder duo fends off disc golf challengers

Nov. 21 doubles play returns to Cumberland

For AlleganyPlayground.com

MOUNT SAVAGE, Md., Nov. 14, 2021 — For the third time in four weeks of Western Maryland Disc Golf Fall/Winter Doubles League play, there was a tie.

This time, though, it was for second place.

Nic Davies with a forehand drive.

The due of Nic Davies and David Warder took the lead on basket No. 7 and held off all challengers. Davies, 25, of Mount Savage, and Warder, 31, of Eckhart, finished the 18-hole course at Mile Lane Disc Golf at a two-under 58.

There was a tie for second place. The team of Colby Mallery, 18, of Mount Savage, and Ethan Shreve, 18, of Cumberland finished with a score of 62, as did Scott Mallery, 53, of Mount Savage, and Kevin Spradlin, 42, of Frostburg. Bill Shreve, 45, of Cumberland, paired with Josiah Spradlin, 12, of Frostburg, to round out the four-team field with a score of 70.

While Warder and Davies pulled ahead with 11 holes to go, it took a little longer for tie for second to fall into place. After the front nine, the team of Mallery and Spradlin held a two-stroke advantage over both Mallery/Shreve and Shreve/Spradlin. The Mallery/Shreve duo cut their gap to one on No. 10, and shaved off the other stroke gap two baskets later by making par while Mallery/Spradlin bogeyed No. 12. Mallery/Spradlin reclaimed a one-stroke lead on the next basket, a par 3, but went off the rails on No. 17, which Mallery/Shreve made par and secured a share of second place.

David Warder makes the putt.

The Shreve/Spradlin team, meanwhile, started slow on the back nine with three consecutive bogeys. Then, after making par on No. 13, double bogeyed Nos. 14 and 16 to fall down the leader board.

In doubles play, the specific rules change week to week. This time, the style of play featured the alternative shot. That is, only one sequence of throws is made on each hole. Each team selected a player to throw the tee shot at the beginning of the round, and the other player threw from the subsequent lie. Play alternated in that fashion until the round is completed. There was a limit of two consecutive drives by the same player.

A week ago, players enjoyed sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s. Things were a bit different this week, as clouds signaled a winter storm that included what was expected to be the area’s first measurable snowfall of the not-yet-winter season. At the 2 p.m. tee time, an overcast sky was coupled with temps in the mid- to high 30s. Before play ended nearly two hours later, a mix of rain and sleet began to fall, which soon gave way to snowflakes. The wind decided to pick up a bit, too.

Ethan Shreve

All that, of course, is simply part of the disc golf fun — as are the trees that are a staple of the Mile Lane Disc Golf course.

Doubles play resumes at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21, at Central Assembly of God in Cumberland. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. Entry is $5 per person and play is open to the public.