Mallery, Shreve tie in modified doubles play

Ethan Shreve, 18, of Cumberland, pitches from the white tee on the back nine of the Western Maryland Disc Golf League on Oct. 31 in Cumberland.

CUMBERLAND, Md., Oct. 31, 2021 — Bill Shreve didn’t know it at the time, but his chance for the win flew away with the 12 mph wind gusts that covered the disc golf course Sunday afternoon at Central Assembly of God in Cumberlanad.

Shreve, 45, of Cumberland, and his teammate found the bottom of the second basket on the back nine in par 3 — but Scott Mallery covered all 237 feet in only two shots. The two penciled in the exact same scores over the next seven holes and, unable to break the tie, split the $10 purse on Sunday in Week 2 of the Western Maryland Disc Golf Fall/Winter Doubles League play.

Shreve and Mallery, 53, of Mount Savage, tied with a score of 48. Eighteen-year-olds Ethan Shreve (51) and Colby Mallery (55) filled the next two spots in the standings while Kevin Spradlin, 42, of Frostburg, rounded out the field with a 57.

With five people registered for the 2 p.m. tee time, disc golf veteran Mallery figured the odd man out could be a rotating position over 18 holes. At each tee, the pairs alternated — it started out with Scott and Colby, then Bill and Ethan, with Kevin on his own. The odd player out was able to have a mulligan on one shot during each hole, similar to a doubles team having the option to choose between partners’ throws.

Scott Mallery launches from No. 18 during doubles play.

Bill Shreve finished the front nine in the top spot with a score of 22, followed closely by the elder Mallery (23). The two tied on eight of the the first nine holes, but Shreve’s birdie on red No. 1 proved to be the difference.

Kevin, Scott and Colby each shot solo four times, while Bill and Ethan each played the odd man out three times. Comparing each player’s first three solo holes, the scoring looked like his: Scott (3, 2, 3 = 8), Bill (3, 2, 3 = 8), Ethan (3, 3, 5 = 11), Kevin (3, 4, 5 = 12) and Colby (5, 3, 5 = 13). Ethan, playing at Central Assembly of God for the first time, was the only player to shoot solo only once on the shorter red nine, scoring a 3 on basket No. 5.

Fall/Winter Doubles League action continues on Sunday, Nov. 7 with a tee time of 2 p.m. for all players. Registration for league members and the general public begins at about 1:30 p.m. The registration fee is $5 per player ($2 goes to the league, $1 goes into the ace fund and $2 goes into the weekly winner’s purse).

Bill Shreve in the woods at No. 6.

Rules for Fall/Winter Doubles League action will vary week to week. For the Nov. 7 competition, teams will be selected in a manner agreed upon by consensus, and the following rules will apply:

• Both partners drive from the tee. (one stroke)

• Each team picks the best lie from their throws and mark it.

• Each player then takes the next throw from new lie. (one stroke)

• Again the best lie is marked. Repeat towards the basket. (Stroke for each lie)

• When the final lie marks a putt both players attempt the putt. (one stroke)

• Only one player is required to make the putt in.

• When a player putts into the basket the hole is finished for that team.

• A team may only use one players drives twice in a row. After that, the other player only drives.

Colby Mallery on the tee at No. 18.