The qualifying competition for European Open, Nokia Open, was held last weekend at the test layout of the European Open course, nicknamed “the Beast”. For the most part of the weekend the weather was sunny and warm (hot even), but as you can see from the quick Saturday review below, the 2nd round of the competition was forced to discontinue due to a thunderstorm and overwhelming weather conditions.

Watch preview video by lcgm8 Disc Golf from YouTube - click here!

After a good night of sleep and some heavy drying of the gear Sunday rounds (1,5) were played in a partly cloudy and very warm conditions. The winner of the tournament was no surprise to anyone, as “Mr. Course Designer” Jussi Meresmaa was in the lead the whole weekend and took home the victory with a 13-stroke spread before Janne Lahtinen and Pasi Koivu, who tied for second place. Notable accomplishment was also Amateur Lassi Hakulinen’s total score of 192 (at PAR) which would have assured him the second place in Open division. Jussi’s thoughts of the -8 for 3 rounds were that to win the EO, one must be able to play a lot better than that. Full list of results here (PDGA results are not updated yet).

As mentioned before, the Nokia Open also served as a qualifying competition for the European Open and available 5 spots were awarded to the following players:

1. Ville Mannermaa (6th place)
2. Mikko Eskola (7th place)
3. Mikko Laihonen (8th place)
4. Leevi Liitti (10th place
5. Jussi Lentovaara (11th place)

The qualified players have been informed and they’ve already accepted their spots. Other new players in the competition are:

• Jeremy Koeling
• Sami Yli-Pihlaja
• Aleksi Ahtila (registration pending)
• David Berglund
• Markus Källström (registration pending)

These five players were awarded with a wild card.

A video introduction to the European Open Course coming soon, so stay tuned!

(Click on image to enlarge in browser or click here to download as .pdf)

European Open course designer Jussi Meresmaa has designed more than 80 Disc Golf Courses in the past 5 years and he has been responsible of previous European Open courses at Epilä Disc Golf Park. What Jussi thinks about “The Beast”?

“Nokia Sports Center Park is absolutely fabulous place for Disc Golf. Its double the size than our previous European Open course in Epilä. One part of the course is carved in to the woods of old Nokia arboretum. There are no trees like this in Finnish forests that I have been. Arboretum also offers deep slopes and fast greens. And a cherry on top, local club has done tremendous work with new TeePads.

Another part of the course is open and hilly area that has long fairways and some water hazards. This area will be spiced up when the wind gets up. Holes 9-13 are something that previous Opens has had in the Epilä - but longer. Average length of the total course is whopping 150 meters / 492 feet.

This years course will offer all aspects of a good Disc Golf course: tight, open, tricky, elevated, beautiful and mentally demanding. This year´s open will feature two pin placements in some holes to make course even more diverse. Pins will be changed after Friday.

This is the most challenging Disc Golf course I´ve ever done. Score of 54 (10 under) would be a phenomenal score. It will be interesting to see how the big boys do it.” says Meresmaa.

The course will be tested in the qualifying event for the European Open this weekend. Here’s a couple of photos from the course before the installation of tournament baskets:

The European Open course, hole 2 basket.

The European Open course, A view from the tee on hole 3.

The European Open course, A view from the tee on hole 9.

The European Open course, A view from the tee on hole 13.

The European Open course, A view from halfway of the fairway towards the basket on hole 14.

The European Open course, A view towards the basket on hole 15.

The European Open Course is designed using Professional INNOVA DisCatcher targets and INNOVA TeePads. More info about these products at the INNOVA DiscGolfPark -page: www.innovaeurope.com/discgolfpark.

Team Europe finalized after SDGO

The last qualifying event for team Europe, Stockholm Open, was held last week at the beautiful Järva Disc Golf Course. Currently on European tour, the U.S. players dominated the competition, but final spots for the Team Europe were settled nevertheless.

Team Europe roster for Presidents Cup 2011 looks like this:

• Markus Kallström (Division: MPO, current rating: 1028, representing country: SWE)
• Karl-Johan Nybo (MPO, 1021, DK)
• Ville Piippo (MPO, 997, FIN)
• Jussi Meresmaa (MPO, 1026, FIN)
• Simon Lizotte (MPO, 1027, GER)
• Camilla Jernberg (FPO, 925, SWE)
• Anne Matilainen* (FPO, 914, FIN)
• Captains Choice: Jesper Lundmark (MPO, 1035, SWE)

*(Anne was qualified to the team since players placed higher in the qualification will not attend the Presidents Cup)

Team Europe captain Hans Tegebäck used his Captains Choice to pick EO2009 winner and currently the highest rated player in Europe, Jesper Lundmark, to the team. Changes in the Team Europe roster are still possible, since Markus Kallström hasn’t yet confirmed whether he will be able to make it to the Presidents Cup. Jussi Meresmaa’s attendance is also yet to be confirmed. In case these two palyers choose to withdraw their spots, Seppo Paju (age 16!) and Teemu Nissinen (age 17!) would make the team. The European Open Blog will keep you updated if these possible changes take effect.

Ulibarri joins the Team USA by Captains Choice!

The European Open blog published last week the roster of the Team USA, which was finalized a week earlier than team Europe in the U.S. National Tour event Beaver State Fling. The last member of the team was announced today, as Captain David Greenwell picked Paul Ulibarri to the team by Captains Choice. Ulibarri is a solid addition to a solid team with a current PDGA rating of 1030 and a great season underway this far.

Here’s what Team USA captain David Greenwell had to say about the Captains Choice:

“My Captains Choice was even harder this year, than last, especially given the fact that the best player of all time has an injury. I have so many good players to choose from, and I like all of them like they are my sons. I do not want my Captains pick to be a popularity contest, and I hope all future Captains will follow the same plan. With that being said, the person that I am going to choose, has played better than anyone not already on the team. His point total is almost twice as much as anyone not on the team already, and his current world ranking is #3.”

So there you have it - the injured player David is referring to is Ken Climo. Certain is that “the Champ” won’t be participating in the Presidents Cup, but it’s yet to be determined whether the 2007 European Open champion will be able to take part in the European Open. We certainly do hope he’ll heel from his injury and that we’ll see him at the European Open.

Quick links:

-> Presidents cup -site

-> Final Qualification Standings

-> Trailer for Presidents Cup 2010

-> The European Open -website

In other news: