Marshall, Marshall, Marshall!

Vogtman teen remains undefeated
Mongrain’s club debut ends with a birdie

Previous results: Week 1 .Week 2 .

FROSTBURG — No matter if a round is going well or not, the game of disc golf offers enough opportunities that one great throw can, if not save a round, then make for a good enough memory to inspire a the next round.

For Max Mongrain, it was his 79th and final throw that helped the 13-year-old Mount Savage Middle School student feel as if he had shown some measure of improvement and success on Friday afternoon in Week 3 of the Allegany County Disc Golf Club’s Fall Youth League at Hoffman Park Disc Golf Course in Frostburg.

Marshall Vogtman goes for the putt on No. 5.

Mongrain and his card mates began on No. 3, so the 18th and final basket of the day was No. 2 the second time round. Mongrain’s tee shot began straight down the middle of the fairway but veered slightly left. Still, he had an open and clear look to the basket — and he made the most of it. Holding a balanced stance from some 25 feet out, Mongrain’s putter flew right and faded left to the pin, exactly as it’s designed to do when thrown correctly. The chains made that familiar metallic chorus that seems even more enjoyable on a birdie attempt.

The disc came to a rest comfortably in the bottom of the cage, and Mongrain had simultaneously accomplished two feats. First, he threw his first birdie. Second, he completed his first round with the Allegany County Disc Golf Club and in doing so became a lifelong member. No charge.

Mongrain was one of nine athletes to try at least a few baskets at Hoffman Park, and one of two to do so for the first time. Evan Padovini, 12, of Frostburg, and ad Brian Padovini, 42, had to leave after the front nine in order to attend a baseball practice.

The others, meanwhile, took advantage of the the moderate temperature — low 70s with a slight breeze — to work their way through 18 baskets.

Marshall Vogtman, required the fewest strokes of any Youth Division athlete. The 13-year-old from Frostburg — and a classmate and cousin of Mongrain’s — won his third consecutive Fall Youth League competition. Vogtman completed the Hoffman Park circuit for only the second time and shaved four strokes off his Week 1 performance. On Friday, Vogtman lowered his personal best to a five over par 59. It is his first sub-60 score over 18 baskets.

Vogtman threw only one birdie — on No. 3 the first time around — and managed par on nine of 18 baskets.

Little brother Tarik Vogtman, 10, placed second. Tarik matched his Week 1 effort with a 66. Tarik threw for par seven times

Luke Spradlin-Vogelsang, 10, of Frostburg, was third with a 70. Mongrain placed fourth (79) while Wyatt Dare, 14, of Frostburg, placed fifth with an 89.

Kevin Spradlin, 44, of Frostburg, led the Men’s Rec Division with a two under par 52. Birdies were hard to come by, but he stayed out of trouble and carded par 14 times.

Week 4 of Fall Youth League returns to Mile Lane Disc Golf in Mount Savage on Friday, Sept. 22. Tee time is 5 p.m. Play is free and open to the public.