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EIEIO Open Champ Steven Thomas

The awareness that this was our last Emerald Isle Open hung in the air as thick as the spring pollen, as the 2010 Open was played out on a gorgeous course and day. Nothing is as certain as change however, and new faces crowded the leader board with Steven Thomas winning the open division, and a pair of seventeen year olds atop the advanced.

Emerald Isle has been our escape from the ever too common Morley masses, together with the opportunity to play holes you can’t reach in one. As usual Skip and his crew were stellar, and many in the awards presentation were moved to tears as the Ace’s club showed all our appreciation by presenting him with a classy trophy commemorating all his contributions to disc golf in our community.

The final card saw the usual suspects of Micah, and Philo, battle it out with Thomas who seemed to be getting all the breaks while one after another of Philo’s putts chained out.  Thomas’ putt on Seventeen in the final round of seven holes was the moment we will all remember.  The basket location was high on the hill and Thomas drive sat thirty plus feet away slightly below and tucked into an oleander bush.   His footing was precarious on the steep hill, with the bush impeding a clear look at the basket.  The entire field, having finished the tournament themselves, was gathered in the bowl and road above the basket.  He lofted a heiser putt that dropped in high and clean, and the crowd went wild! (see video)  Moments later Philo chained out a fifteen footer that seemed to hit dead center yet again, and eighteen became a victory walk for Thomas.   As festivities began in the club house, a disconsolate Philo sat head between his knees at the edge of the eighteenth green, seemingly holding all our chagrin at the loss of this precious San Diego Emerald.