photos by Todd Newcomer

Close to 100 disc golfers converged on the Colorado Timberline Academy for the 5th annual Animas Valley Open last Saturday. Part of the Colorado Disc Sports Association's Thin Air Tour, the Animas Valley Open is one of the most popular events on the tour and one of the most scenic. Competition got under way early Saturday morning under clear, blue skies and little wind. After two rounds on Saturday and one on Sunday, T.J. Lawrence won the men's division with a score of 153. Erika Pray, of Durango, won the women's division with a total score of 186.

Felicia Fuentes practices excellent aim as her disc glides toward the basket at the Timberline Academy disc golf course Saturday. Bill Alderman, of Grand Junction, keeps his disc on target as the warm sun started to heat the course Saturday. Al Korte tries his best to get himself out of a bad lie on his approach to the basket just off the banks of the Animas River. Jason Ivey, of Grand Junction, who took second overall, makes an excellent toss after coming precariously close to going in the drink. Rob Middleton calls out hole locations as tournament competitors begin the day's first round. Raymanda Billy winds up for maximum thrust as action got under way Saturday morning in the Animas Valley. Many tournament goers elected to pitch a tent and sleep underneath the stars prior to Saturday's competition.