Hartselle’s Sparkman Park was the setting for the first and second rounds of the 2012 US Women’s Disc Golf Championships on Friday, attracting 73 of the nation’s top-ranked disc golfers and touring professionals.

The third and fourth rounds were played on the Brahan Springs Park on Saturday and the fifth round on the Redstone Course on Sunday.

An awards ceremony was conducted at Redstone Sunday afternoon.

Two-time defending champion Valorie Jenkins of Santa Cruz, Calif., was among those golfers who played the Sparkman Park Course.

“As a touring disc golfer, I’ve played in tournaments throughout the country,” said Jenkins, “and this tournament is one of my favorties. You have a nice course here.”

Jenkins was the second place finisher when Hartselle and Huntsville co-hosted the event in 2008 and she has won the US title for the past two years.

“This is a big event for the City of Hartselle,” said Josh Lenox, Sparkman Park course director. “We have women disc golfers and their families here today from throughout the country. In fact, many of those in the competition have visited Hartselle over the past year or two to play on the course.

“After we co-hosted the 2008 event, we took in enough money to make some needed improvements to our course and we’ll be able to make even more improvements.

“Now you can come by the park most any afternoon and find people playing disc golf,” he added. “It’s really catching on because it’s a sport you can practice without spending a lot on money on equipment and enjoy the exercise and health benefits at the same time.”

The Rocket City Chain Gang of Huntsville served as co-sponsor. Chris Jaskolka was tournament director and David Hunt was co-director. Fade Gear was a major sponsor.