A massive throw into the basket resulted in an immense disc golf triumph for Axel Olson.

With an epic 190-foot heave to notch an eagle on the par-4 18th hole, the 17-year-old Mercer Islander sealed his victory in the 2023 Professional Disc Golf Association Amateur Disc Golf World Championship on July 1 at Northwood Park in Peoria, Illinois.

After releasing the disc and intently watching the sling soar through the air, arc right and crash into the chain-link basket, Olson placed his hands on his head — knocking his hat to the ground — and beamed with delight.

The crowd of about 100 attendees went wild.

“Oh my gosh, what a way to finish!” exclaimed an announcer in the event video, which soon went viral and earned Olson copious admirers for holing the difficult throw-in on the Northwood Blue course. In the four-round event, Olson won with a score of -19 under par, two throws ahead of second-placer Carson Smith and three ahead of third-placer Chancey Green. More than 300 golfers were vying for the title.

Olson, a rising senior at Eastside Preparatory School in Kirkland, discussed the final shot, which put him far enough ahead of his competitors to nail down the victory: “That was surreal. I didn’t ever think it was gonna go in until it actually went in.”

In past competitions, Olson has registered aces from 250 feet and 350 feet, but his recent mammoth toss mattered the most, he said.

The variety of discs — putters, mid-range and drivers — used in competitions typically weigh between 165-175 grams. The par 3, 4 and 5 holes at events usually range from 400 feet to 1,200 feet, Olson said.

Initially scheduled to be a five-round tournament, the event was reduced to four rounds due to wildfire smoke, lightning strikes and thunderstorms. Along the way, there were many delays and one round was split into two days.

“Despite all the delays and stuff, I’m pretty happy with the way I played. Each round kind of had its up and downs. In general, I think that my perseverance through the struggles were kind of what gave me the win,” he said.

Olson noted that putting was one of his strengths from inside the 50-foot range.

“My mentality as well because of how much adversity we had to face. I think the fact that I was still able to stay in it was really big for me, especially in that final round,” Olson added about remaining focused and pushing through with his competitors closing in. His birdie on the 17th hole gave him a one-stroke lead and crucial momentum heading into the final hole.

The Islander, who began playing disc golf in sixth or seventh grade, followed up his final amateur event with a win in his first tournament on the professional circuit at the Kayak Point Open in Stanwood on July 9 and earned some prize money.

Since he won the amateur championship, Olson was invited to participate in the prestigious United States Disc Golf Championship in October in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Next summer, the Disc Golf Pro Tour awaits the local player.

To view Olson’s monumental shot at the amateur championship, visit https://youtu.be/XBAiVTFoZ6A?t=2374.

The Reporter asked Olson a series of questions to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his life:

What’s your favorite movie of all time?

I do love all the “Star Wars” movies. I’ve watched those a lot, they’re great. (Both the prequels and originals.)

What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given?

I think it came from my dad: just to always show up. Always go to it, and the only way you can get better is if you keep trying and keep showing up and keeping at it.

If you could go to dinner with one person, who would that be?

Maybe Lionel Messi. He’s the GOAT in my mind. I like soccer a lot, too, so I think that would be really cool to get words of wisdom and kind of hear his life story.

If you’re having a tough day at school or wherever, what’s a good way to break out of it? Something to do to turn the day around in your favor?

If it’s a warm day, jump in the lake, that’s very refreshing and kind of calming to me. Obviously, play a practice round of disc golf, that’s really calming and kind of takes the stress away. (Playing video games with his friends online, too.)