Need proof that Eric McCabe played well at this weekend’s Emporia Glass Blown Open?
How’s this: One competitor proclaimed at the awards banquet that the Emporian would have beaten anybody on the planet at Jones Park this weekend.
And McCabe later agreed with him.
“Yeah,” McCabe said, “I honestly do think I would have.”
Not only was McCabe good, he was out-of-this-world good during his four rounds.
The professional disc golfer shot a 29-under-par 187, winning the men’s open championship by an astounding 11 strokes for his first-ever Super Tour victory.
In disc golf, Super Tour tournaments are those rated just below the sport’s Major tournaments.
“That’s huge,” McCabe said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted and has been a big goal.”
After posting a first-round 51, McCabe played so well he didn’t give anyone else a chance.
He finished with rounds of 42, 47 and 47 to easily outdistance the field.
“This whole last week I’ve felt really good. I’ve been on fire,” McCabe said. “I didn’t know coming in if I was going to win, but I figured I’d at least be in the top four.”
His biggest ally turned out to be his putter, especially on Sunday.
McCabe called his putting in the last two rounds “crazy,” as almost every throw within 50 feet went into the basket.
It didn’t hurt that he was familiar with Jones Park as his home course.
“It gives you some confidence,” McCabe said, “when you know where every tree in the park is.”
McCabe cashed $1,000 in the event and led two other Emporia men in the money.
Nate Martin placed ninth with an 8-under 208 ($155) and Jake Newell finished 10th with a 4-under 212 ($140).
Meanwhile, in the women’s open division, Emporian Liz Lopez shot a 252 to take second and earn $90.
Lopez, McCabe and Newell all have sponsorships through Discraft Discs.
Emporians swept both the men’s advanced and intermediate titles.
After not playing in a few months, Robert Hammersmith topped 39 competitors in the advanced division, winning with a 2-under 214.
Nate McDonald (third), Dustin McDonald (fourth), Tim Senft (fifth) and Jeremy Rusco (sixth) had the other top-10 performances in the division.
Jamaal Dorsey took the Intermediate crown, beating 28 other disc golfers with a 237. Brian Nomura took second place, finishing one shot back with a 238.
In the men’s Master’s division, Allen Wilson was fifth (233), while Mark Salada was sixth (235).
As for McCabe, he will travel to a tournament in Carrollton, Texas, in two weeks before going to the United States Disc Golf Championship in Rockhill, S.C., in the first week of October.
McCabe finished eighth at the major last year — one where the winner takes home upwards of $10,000.
“Especially after last year, my confidence is pretty good,” McCabe said.
McCabe also took 16th out of 138 competitors at the Professional Disc Golf World Championships in Highbridge, Wis., earlier this month.
Emporia Glass Blown Open
Emporia Results
Men’s Open
1. Eric McCabe 187
9. Nate Martin 208
10. Jake Newell 212
Men’s Masters
5. Allen Wilson 233
6. Mark Salada 235
Men’s Advanced
1. Robert Hammersmith 214
3. Nate McDonald 219
4. Dustin McDonald 220
5. Tim Senft 224
6. Jeremy Rusco 225
T22. Devon Price 239
T26. Clay Houser 241
33. Joe Tabares 247
Men’s Intermediate
1. Jamaal Dorsey 237
2. Brian Nomura 238
T11. Brady Wilson 254
14. Paul Tabares 257
22. Rusty Briar 268
29. Keith Webb 289
Women’s Open
2. Liz Lopez 252