The Spectacle of Majestic

The Spectacle of Majestic

Written By: Bill Ashton

As I sit down to recap the Minnesota Majestic, I can only reflect back to my prelude article entitled, "The 20th Anniversary of the Majestic will surely be a Spectacle". The tournament certainly lived up to the title of that article right down to final hole. For the nearly 300-400 spectators which made up the gallery during the third round and final nine, the tournament couldn't have ended on a much higher note. It was truly a spectacle to see. A magical moment in the history of the Majestic and even possibly the PDGA Tour. The drama which enveloped on the last hole of the final nine was simply amazing. Going into round three, "12-Time World Champion Ken Climo," held a three stroke lead over last years local hero and Majestic Champion "Cale Leiviska". Jay Reading fought his way back during round three play to fill a spot in the final nine action for the second year in a row by shooting a 63. Finishing out the final four card for Men's Open, was Nikko Locastro, whose a young gun on the PDGA tour from St. Louis.

During the finals, Cale was determined to fight for the lead as play between Ken and Cale see sawed back and forth. As play came to the final hole of round three, Ken held a one stroke lead by taking a three. Cale was now forced to make an 80 ft. downhill putt for birdie to tie the World Champ. As Cale approached his lie, the gallery was silenced with such anticipation that the entire crowd was glued to his every move. As Cale took in a deep breath and blew it out, everyone paused knowing this mere moment was his last grasp at a back to back Majestic Championship. Cale delivered his putt toward the basket with such confidence, it was as though he knew he had all ready made it. Cale ran towards the basket upon releasing his putt. As he and his disc got closer to the basket, the crowds cheers grew louder and louder until the disc slammed into the chains. Cale ran to retrieve his disc with such energy and excitement, knowing that he just tied the Champ on the final hole to push a sudden death playoff. It was amazing and unbelievable all in the same moment!

In my 31 years of watching, covering and photographing disc golf, this now in my mind was my single most greatest memorable moment. As a freelance writer, I left the tournament perplexed with the drama Ken made out of Cale's celebration of throwing down his disc after making his spectacular 80 foot putt. In my opinion, the champ was reaching out of desperation knowing it was evident the gallery was rooting for Cale. It appeared to upset Ken and it now seemed to make him more nervous that the momentum may have changed going into sudden death play. The ruling Ken addressed was made known to Tournament Director Tim Gill, who gathered and conferred with the foursome for a secondary agreement, but nobody agreed to Ken's rule infraction. I believe the same rule in effect could be also called on a player who marks his lie with a mini and then tosses the players actual thrown disc off to the side as an errant throw. This certainly happens regularly during play without incident of infraction. In viewing this dilemma, it appeared Ken lowered his core value of sportsmanship a bit in terms of satisfying his attitude to win. Ken's double arm pump and victory scream only seemed out of revenge to Cale's celebration putt. It was apparent Ken was still bothered that his rule challenge went unfavorable in his behalf, but yet happy he had just won the 2007 Majestic. As the gallery and players walked back towards tournament central, I viewed Ken still frustrated demonstrating his rule infraction to another person next to him. Ken proceeded to throw his disc down to mock the infraction. As I viewed this happening in front of me, another older gentleman and his wife were both walking back as well and also oversaw Ken's overall frustration. The gentleman told Ken to remember sportsmanship. Ken commented back saying, "I can do whatever I want,the tournaments now over baby." In what was certainly a heated and intense moment of emotions for the champ, could have easily been forgotten about with more of the attitude of winning with grace and sportsmanship. Even though Ken won, I believe many would've agreed that he lowered his degree of sportsmanship.

In summing up, Lyle Jensen, our notorious master of ceremonies, surely smoothed things over during the awards celebration by addressing and somewhat fusing the controversial dilemma into words which quickly erased the tarnished moment. Surely, Ken and Cale both played their hearts out. In the words Jay Reading made during the awards, "the sport of disc golf truly needs more competitors such as Cale Leiviska". Another genuine comment which helped to mend the moment. The 20th Anniversary of the Majestic was an event many of us will remember and talk about for years to come. Congratulations to all the finalist and the winner "The Champ" Ken Climo.