The inaugural Bristow Open Disc Golf Tournament at the new Woodland Crown course transformed our town lake and community into a hub of competition and camaraderie, drawing 86 players from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Nebraska, and Kansas to the newly minted 9-hole course. With 18 professional and 68 amateur competitors, ranging in age from 6-year-old Lucky Mathis of Bristow to 77-yearold Dr. Gene Kouba of Edmond, the 2025 Masters World Champion, the event showcased the sport’s remarkable appeal across generations.
Jonathan Fletcher of Fairbury, Nebraska, who took the Mixed Pro division with precision honed since his teenage years. Growing up near a disc golf course, Fletcher discovered the sport as a constructive outlet. His victory was well deserved. Other division winners included Tara Dye of Edmond, Eric Rainey of Broken Arrow, Austin Coco of Edmond, Carl Friend of Tulsa, Joshua Craig of Muskogee, Samantha Russell of Dewar, Craig Barber of Bartlesville, Richard Thornton of Stroud, Kaly Mathis of Bristow, Ryan Hill of Bartlesville, Sierra Davis of Moore, Johnathon Hedgecock of Broken Arrow, Aubree DeCorte of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Jolene Mathis of Bristow, and Lucky Mathis of Bristow. Local talent shone brightly, with Benjamin Montgomery securing 3rd in Mixed Amateur 1, Riley Walker taking 5th in the same division, Jacob Stapleton finishing 11th in Mixed Amateur 1, and Aaron Earp placing 13th in Mixed Amateur 40. John Barton of Moore, the original designer of the 9-hole course, came out of retirement to compete, earning 3rd in Mixed Amateur 50 and adding a touch of legacy to the event.
Six-year-old Lucky Mathis, the Female Junior 8 champion, called it “the best tournament ever,” already dreaming of future Bristow events. Her sister, nine-year-old Jolene Mathis, a Junior Worlds competitor, expressed hope that “more kids join to share the fun.” Their parent reflected, “Having this course just 10 minutes from home is a blessing. Disc golf is like hiking with purpose— great for body and soul. A beginnerfriendly course like this invites everyone to discover our passion.”
The Bristow Woodland Crowns Disc Golf Open’s success was a community effort. Organizers and players extended heartfelt gratitude to the City of Bristow for embracing the vision of local disc golfers and approving the course. City workers, particularly Johnny Henderson, were praised for mowing, trimming trees, hauling dirt, pouring concrete, and tirelessly shaping the venue. Volunteers, including the Mathis family ( Josh, Kaly, Jolene, Maverick, and Lucky), Ben Montgomery, Ethan Montgomery, Monte Bruner, Brock Boomer, Donnie Abbott, Jerry Craig, and Eric Kuykendall, who captured stunning tournament photos, were instrumental in the event’s success.
Financial support from generous donors made the course and tournament possible: the family of DiscLexic DiscGolf and Design, the family of Darold Ritchie, Karey Vann at H&R Block, Consolidated Turbine Specialist, Action Fire Protection, TSET, Corwin Family Dentistry, Trinity Baptist Church, B&B Roofing and Construction, the family of Ryan Ritchie, the Bristow Area Chamber of Commerce, Shades of Glass, Vertical Aerospace, The Ice Hole, The Freeland Center, Jeryn and Eddie Fletcher, Walmart, the Mathis Family, Bob and Kris Wyatt, and Williams Foods. “To our city, volunteers, donors, mayor, and council—thank you for this course that’s knit our community closer,” the Mathis family said.