Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, memes, Ohn’s favorite beer, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf and only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

As always, Idlewild did its thing. It’s still one of the courses on Tour that you most want to play, and its daunting woods with OB greens find a way to squeeze the MPO field.

Ever since Idlewild became a staple, it’s never had a repeat winner, with many being first-timers. Continuing the 8-year tradition, Joey “Buckets” Anderson won his first DGPT title.

Here are a few fun facts:

• At #122356, he became the highest PDGA# to win an MPO Elite/Major.

• In 2022, he played his first DGPT event, and it was Idlewild. He placed 25th then.

• This is his first full-time season on Tour, and he’s averaged 26.6th place. It’s now an incredible breakout season.

• Not without adversity, he missed cash in his previous two events (European Open & Ledgestone). This ended his 17-event cash streak.

And in FPO, we had another Idlewild first-timer in Ohn Scoggins. She became the clear favorite as her Flex FH cut through trees that others smacked.

Adding to the excitement, her 43rd birthday was on Saturday. To no one’s surprise, Scoggins likely celebrated her 2nd season victory (3rd ever) to its fullest extent.

Show me someone who doesn’t like Ohn, and I’ll show you my first ace. Hint: they both don’t exist.

#2 👊

R2H9, 258’ with Putter Line Roach (JomezPro)

R2H17, 287’ with LSD Benny (DGPT)

Part of the appeal of Idlewild is the ace-able par 3s. On Saturday, Hole 9 saw the “Bend it like Benjamin” ace, while Hole 17 held onto Freddy Meza’s birthday ace.

Besides the 2 one-timers, there were many other player storylines:

• Without the Europeans, it was a slogfest in FPO (minus Scoggins). Normal contenders that fell flat gave way to others.

• Madison Walker, Raven Klein, & Alexis Mandujano all found their first Top-5s this season.

• 8 weeks ago, Macie Velediaz gave birth to her daughter. She finished 17th and cashed for $640.

• Even more so than Joey Buckets, Ezra Robinson has been knocking on the door all year. This was his 3rd second place, and he’s due for his 1st win.

• Speaking of Robinson, Isaac was one bad hole from challenging the 8-year unique winner streak. He’s heating up with his brother at the right time.

• After skipping Ledgestone, Ricky Wysocki finished 18th while still battling an injury. He saw a chiropractor mid-Idlewild, got x-rays, and had his rib “popped back in.” He claims to be feeling better.

Now, pros have an 8-day break to travel and prepare for Worlds. There’s no Pro Tour event this weekend.

#3 👊

Monn’s Lucky Polo (@PDGA)

While pros navigated Idlewild, PDGA’s AM Worlds went down in Grand Rapids, MI. Typically, I’d pay little mind unless my local bud is shooting hot, but this weekend history was made.

Turning 17 mid-event, Ryan Monn (brother to Jake) completed the first-ever AM Slam. This year he’s won all three Mixed Amateur Majors (USADGC, Jr Worlds, & AM Worlds).

On the same day of his birthday, Monn shot a 1077-rated round that had people calling him a bagger. As planned, he’s officially moving up to pro after this win.

Before you think he’ll immediately be the next Buhr, temper your expectations as he gains experience. This year, he played in Chess.com and DMC, finishing 86th and 76th, respectively.

Over in FA1, the field of 114 players was the largest single field in women’s disc golf history. Who said we were in a downturn?

#4 👊

JomezPro

The flight of a disc is one of a kind. It’s what made most of us fall in love with this sport and pushes us to continue chucking plastic.

Mastering the hyzer-flip or flex is one thing, but watching someone magically air-bounce in is another. Among the best to do it, Big Jerm is a frisbee connoisseur.

On the latest JomezPro practice round, he threw “the best air bounce ever thrown with a golf disc” per Stokely. While that was filthy and all, I found the advice he gave minutes prior more useful.

Big Jerm said when throwing up a C2-prayer putt that requires a lot of right to left, you need more than just hyzer. It must also be nose-up, giving the putt more lateral movement and a chance to drop in.

#5 👊

For the past two weeks, the Europeans have been sorely missed. But just because they’ve been absent from the US doesn’t mean nothing has happened.

So what’s going on across the pond?

Baltic DG Championships (DGPT Silver, 8/9-11)
The DGPT Europe stretch finally closed out in Mäetaguse, Estonia, and the young winners are both from Finland.

MPO came down to a 5-hole playoff between Eetu Tuominen (16 years old) and Daniel Davidsson, with Tuominen taking it down. FPO saw 14-year-old Iida Lehtomäki beating the 9-strong field.

With the Europe Tour over, the points champions have been crowned. Silva Saarinen & Ricky Wysocki came out on top and will be awarded bonus payouts.

Swedish Championships (8/8-11)
Being declared as the best Swede for the 2nd year in a row, Dennis Augustsson won by 7 strokes at the Ale Disc Golf Center.

Last but not least, congratulations to Kristin Tattar & Silver Lätt for tying the knot last Thursday. The newlyweds will be honeymooning in beautiful Lynchburg, VA, on Saturday for Worlds Mixed Dubs.

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie

Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, highlights, memes, Buhr’s McDonald’s order, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf AND only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

In honor of the Olympics, this year’s Ledgestone winners made their best Katie Ledecky impression. Holyn Handley & Gannon Buhr lapped the competition after 4 rounds without Northwood.

Proving her new-found consistency, Handley took the lead on Friday, averaged a 1001 event rating (her second career highest), and won her second DGPT event. Her decision to skip Europe paid off, but now, she’s eager to prove herself when the field is at its fullest come Worlds.

Similarly, Gannon Buhr made his 5th win of the season look easy. The 19-year-old was calculated and controlled, making everyone else feel like underdogs.

This win pushes his 2024 prize total past the $100k mark. Buhr’s now won 4 out of the 5 four-round events, and his climb to the greatest MPO season of all time is becoming less of a fantasy.

There are pretty much only big events left this year, and it’s hard to imagine Buhr won’t win at least one of them. Are we nearing the ice age now?

#2 👊

Nutmeg Gate (JomezPro)

The Ledgestone Open claims the title of “the biggest event in disc golf” with its 2,250 AMs, $634k total charitable contributions, and a large pro purse. Even so, its typical hype felt drained by the quick turnaround after Europe and no Northwood course.

But like every other event, there was no shortage of storylines. Here’s who came out less jet-lagged:

• The Robinson Brothers’ dream came true when they made Sunday’s lead card together. In the end, Ezra is confirmed to be the better brother despite Isaac’s throw-in eagle on hole 13.

• Finishing 3rd, Chris Dickerson is quietly having a great season. He’s only missed the Top 10 twice, with his worst being 28th.

• KJ USA found the Top 5 with his Innova discs. This was his first time finishing that well since DGLO almost a year ago.

• Despite all the McDoubles in round 1, Paul McBeth fought back to 8th by shooting the hot -12, 1076-rated final round.

• Beating out names like AB, Casey White, & Ezra Aderhold, Brodie Smith earns his first cash since the 2023 MVP Open. The Darkhorse rides again.

• Click here to enjoy 291’ of throw-ins by Lisa Fajkus.

• Now, onto the infamous spotter who took Double G’s Cheshire Cat to the chest. Before we roast him, here’s an alternate angle. It doesn’t clear him, but also doesn’t condemn him.

@Tobinatorx

#3 👊

If last month’s European Disc Golf Festival didn’t prove Estonia’s love for disc golf, then the Tartu X17 held this past Saturday will. As an annual tradition, this 1-day event includes the following:

• €40 to play

• 358 participants across MPO & FPO fields

• 100 holes

• 11hr round

• 30k steps

• 18km total distance thrown

The marathon event was filled with interesting greens, obstacles to avoid, and disc-loving fun. Maybe there’s a place for more urban disc golf events across the world.

#4 👊

Cost-cutting and layoffs don’t exist only in the tech industry. The DGPT is also suffering from the post-COVID downturn and just cut several contracted employees.

Without announcing it, Tournament Central went from three 30-minute segments hosted by Brian Earhart and Nate Perkins to now a few extra minutes in the booth. But don’t worry—both are still with the Tour but being plugged in the laid-off holes.

Juliana Korver was among those cut. She was slated to be the third person on the Worlds commentary team, but now it’s down to Charlie Eisenhood/Val Jenkins (FPO) and Terry Miller/Nate Doss (MPO).

Is more on the horizon? Or was this cut enough to sustain for now?

#5 👊

Idlewild After Dark (u/Different-Heat-2665)

It’s nearly the most wonderful time of the year, and no, I’m not talking about football being back. There’s just one event standing in our way of seeing a World Champion crowned in Lynchburg, VA.

Thankfully, it isn’t just any other event. It’s Idlewild—home to magical woods, iconic greens, and the first glow round on Tour.

Last year, Val Mandujano put her grade 3 ankle sprain behind her, getting her 1st win of the season. Then Gannon Buhr impressed with his putting to earn his 5th win of the season.

This year, Idlewild will be the last standard DGPT event of 2024. Everything after is either a DGPT+, Playoff, or Major event.

Can Mandujano defend her title after skipping Ledgestone? Will we see Buhr continue his hot season? Will Ricky Wysocki come back strong after “popping his rib”? Or can Isaac Robinson - “CEO of Idlewild” - take back his 2022 title?

Live coverage starts Friday.

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie

Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, highlights, memes, Gossage’s Estonian gift, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf AND only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

u/Disc-Golf-Kid

Now add in Paul McBeth coming alive in Europe, and you’ve got something to really cry about. The Europe Swing’s last event had all the fanfare worthy of its finale.

From the iconic starting hole to Nike sponsorships, the European Disc Golf Festival showed off Estonia’s love for the sport and how production, venue, and crowds can be taken to the next level.

And while the park-style course wasn’t super tough or interesting, it was great entertainment. Ricky Wysocki used his superpower, fed off of the 4,000-strong crowd, and did “just enough to get the job done.”

Wysocki completed his tear through Europe and has his game dialed.

• He’s won 3 times in the past 5 weeks

• Shot 3 course records in 3 straight weeks

• Shot the 3rd highest-rated round ever (1119)

In FPO, Missy “Just Hang Around and Win” Gannon did what she does best. Her 1-hole playoff victory against Eveliina Salonen solidified her #1 spot in the Tour standings.

Conversely, Kristin Tattar did not show up to the biggest event in her home country. She finished 8th, tying her worst FPO finish (2018 Worlds), but continued her streak of never missing a Top-10 in her career.

Either way, she and both fields have a year to prepare for back-to-back Majors in Europe. Come July 17, 2025, the Tour will be back at the Song Festival Grounds, followed by Worlds 10 days later in Finland.

#2 👊

Disc golf is a mental game. And no matter how good you get at it, it’s easy to fold to anger after a silly mistake or unlucky kick.

Many pros like to release that anger by taco’ing their putter. Two Saturdays ago, Simon Lizotte did that after missing his putt on Hole 16 at the European Open.

He later signed it, gave it away, and its new owner posted it up for auction. In a Swedish FB group, his folded Pixel sold for SEK 5.000 (~$463 USD).

Who knew Swedes love tacos so much?

EO R3H16 (@mattiasstorbacka_dg)

Saturday, July 27 (@simon_lizotte)

#3 👊

Fifty-two minutes in, Casey White struck gold with his European Open vlog. He captured what will be considered another cult-classic Ken Climo story from the one and only Gregg Barsby.

In the clip, Barsby recounts his 2009 Masters Cup roller ace. His story has it all: a Kenny impression, Feldberg reaction, cigarette in mouth, and how his disc rolled into DeLa’s Hole 4.

Do yourself a favor and watch the 2.5-minute clip. Then follow it up with a re-watch of Barsby’s “The Iron Leaf.”

#4 👊

Heimburg trying to chase down Redalen (Gatekeeper)

The 3rd DGPT+ event starts in TWO days. This year, the Ledgestone Open will play 4 rounds at Eureka Lake (MPO) and 4 rounds at Sunset Hills (FPO).

The once-called Major of the Midwest is one course less epic this year. Northwood Park was already featured at the Champions Cup three months ago and will not torture players this weekend.

For those who stayed in Europe, this will be a very quick turnaround. I expect many social media posts that will cite jet lag, lack of practice days, etc., as an excuse for poor play.

With that said, here’s who you should keep an eye on during this long weekend:

• Both Ohn Scoggins & Holyn Handley took a break, skipped Europe, and are in prime position to win their first Ledgestone. None of the European players will be here.

• This event helped earn Big Money Missy Gannon’s namesake. She’s the 2x defending champ and looks to stack on more winnings.

• Ricky Wysocki’s momentum feels unmatchable. He’s already won Ledgestone 3x, and another win here would push him into the POTY convo.

• Last year, Cole Redalen won easily by 5 strokes. This year, his season hasn’t been very flashy, but a great finish here will do wonders.

#5 👊

Ultiworld

Ladies & Gents, it’s time for the yearly Disc Golf Fandom Survey, and it’s bigger than ever.

Created by the marketing research group First Available Research (FAR) in partnership with Ultiworld, this 20-minute, anonymous survey will probe your feelings about certain pros, manufacturers, commentators, and more.

The survey closes on August 26th, so do your part and take it now. It’s the perfect Tuesday to put off some work, throw on the Olympics, and record how much you love or hate Paul McBeth.

After the survey closes, FAR and Ultiworld will publish several articles that break down what makes us weirdos tick. Last year, my readers made up at least 3% of the 3,000 participants.

 Take the survey here. For the final question, pick “Other” and say “The Players Meeting.” Let’s pump that number up!

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie

Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, highlights, memes, Tattar’s custom Porsche, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf AND only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

Tampere’s Beauty

Lonkero = Gin Soda

The European Open was perfect. The duo of The Monster (Tampere) and The Beast forced pros into a love-hate relationship, all while showing off immaculate fairways, birch trees, and unique greens.

Somehow, even Friday’s three weather delays made the event better. They challenged the pros mentally and gave us a Moving Day worth pulling an all-nighter for.

On Saturday, Gannon Buhr woke up early, set a new Tampere course record (-9, 1065), then matched Nokia’s record (-12, 1082). His marathon day set the stage for what made this EO an instant classic.

Saturday Morning R2 Restart

On Sunday, the Iceman didn’t flinch. Despite Ricky Wysocki’s near-flawless round, the 5,500 cheers (plus 1 heckler), or the PDGA official’s time warning, the 19-year-old is him.

This may only be Buhr’s 2nd career Major title, but it feels like he’s on to something. He’s still in the early years of his career, and record-setting years are inevitable.

#2 👊

While the emotions were high in MPO, they didn’t hold a candle to FPO’s rollercoaster. Every morning, I’d wake up, check scores, and drop my jaw.

The tournament went from “It’s over” to “Wtf happened?” and finally, “That’s impossible.” Kristin Tattar found a way to shoot a 1040 rating, then a 906, and still mounted the largest final-round comeback.

But it wasn’t just her performance that contributed to her 7th Major win. The young Finns (Silva Saarinen & Eveliina Salonen) were clearly not ready for the moment.

It might take a long time for them to forget this missed opportunity, but their time will come. Until then, Tattar’s time is now.

#3 👊

@DiscGolfworlds

The end of an amazing event is always bittersweet. This year’s European Open exemplifies that even more.

It was the last time The Beast was played at the event. Next year, the Major moves to Estonia as Finland hosts Worlds for the first time, and after that, Nokia Park will undergo changes affecting its layout.

And since this past weekend was the perfect Worlds preview, let’s go through some noteworthy player storylines:

• Missy Gannon fought from chase card for a podium finish. She’ll be 1 of 4 Americans staying in Europe for this weekend’s DG Festival.

• Despite Team Europe’s sad Presidents Cup, 8 Europeans finished in MPO’s crowded Top 15.

• After playing for his spot on Monday, Thomas Gilbert earned his first top-10 finish at a Major. His season has been in dire need of a turnaround.

• Finishing 23rd, Calvin Heimburg continued the longest active cash streak despite two sub-1000 rounds at Tampere.

• Last week, Nate Sexton pulled his hamstring, cashed at Krokhol, and earned the last EO qualifying spot. This week, he finished 28th, cashed, and beat many notable names like AB.

• Thanks to Hole 16’s new rules, Anthony Barela only missed its island twice. The field, however, improved on 2024’s birdie percentage of 41% to 60% final round.

• Ricky Wysocki didn’t end his 7-year Major drought, but at least he broke other records.

#4 👊

@joonas_merela

Last week, the great Joonas Merelä and Coach Chris Taylor hosted a long-drive clinic with two of the world’s longest throwers: Anthony Barela & Kristian Kuoksa.

With those four minds together, it’s hard to imagine anything but gold came out of that clinic. Unfortunately for us, that content will mostly stay with the participants from Tampere, Finland.

Thankfully, they did share this slo-mo clip of the pair smashing max-power one-steppers. This is what peak performance looks like, and I love it.

#5 👊

The Europe Swing officially ends this weekend with the European Disc Golf Festival. In Estonia’s capital city of Tallinn, this event will play on the Song Festival Grounds for the 2nd year.

Last year, the European DG Championship was played here, with Dennis Augustsson and Kristin Tattar as the winners. She shot a 1054-rated round and an 892 final round to win the title for her country.

This weekend, every American will be competing on this course for the first time. Compared to the EO, the fields will be slightly trimmed down, but this Elite title will still be hard-fought and worth the practice for 2025’s second Euro Major.

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie

Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, highlights, memes, McMahon’s favorite kombucha, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf AND only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

The stats couldn’t have said it better. Without skipping a beat, Kristin Tattar is officially back after spending 11 weeks off the Tour.

This was her first time at the Krokhol Open and the World’s #1 course. Aside from her dominating stats, the event gave us the matchup we’ve been waiting for: Silva Saarinen vs. Tattar.

It proved Saarinen’s 5-win DGPT streak was no fluke, and their heads-up battles will continue for years to come. After FPO’s soak fest, Ricky Wysocki did what he does best: Win when in contention.

Coming in 6 days early, Ricky Wysocki got tons of practice in and called his shot. After two record days, he walked away with it despite the Czech Republic’s Jakub Semerád threatening a comeback.

Sunday, July 14

#2 👊

Parker Welck

Friday, July 12

Saturday, July 13

For pros skipping the Europe Swing, the 42nd Kansas City Wide Open was the perfect pit stop. The Q-Series took place on the almost “too hard” Bad Rock Creek course, especially in the weekend’s 108 heat index.

And to make things harder, Parker Welck had his touring van stolen Friday night in Kansas City, MO. Using borrowed discs, he stayed within 7 strokes of the lead but then hit some good luck the night before the final round.

• After realizing his car was stolen, he found paperwork on the ground belonging to another stolen Kia.

• He got in touch with the owner, who somehow recovered his own vehicle.

• Inside the other Kia were Welck’s missing bag and discs.

He recovered his bag and ended 4 strokes behind Drew Gibson, who won in a 2-hole playoff against G.T. Hancock. You can watch how Gibson won his first A-Tier since surgery on Gatekeeper & Hyzer Media.

#3 👊

@BlitzDG

You can now pick your jaw up from the floor.

a) If you don’t follow Clint Easterly (Standstill Master), then you’re missing out.
b) If his 501’ one-legged throw didn’t blow you away, then maybe his 604’ standstill will.

While one-leg drills are nothing new, Easterly’s latest accomplishment demonstrates how efficient one can get with just their throwing arm. If you want an ounce of this immense control, then watch his standstill tutorial and older Seabas22 one-leg drills.

#4 👊

It’s my favorite time of the year. Finland’s Christmas in July is when the courses are immaculate, the crowds are huge, and the competition fights for a Major title.

This year the festivities are at an all-time high in preparation for Europe’s biggest event: 2025 Worlds. Starting Thursday, these 4 rounds preview what’s to come and how Nokia will handle our biggest stage.

For the first time, the European Open will split rounds on both the Tampere DiscGolfPark (The Monster) and the Nokia DiscGolfPark (The Beast).

While The Beast is mostly unchanged (except for the butchered Hole 16), The Monster will test another set of skills. It’s ~500m longer, mostly wooded, and focuses on landing zones.

There’s a ton of hype around this event, and the field will be the strongest it’s ever seen. Here are who to watch for:

• Kristin Tattar is the clear favorite to add another Major to her already 6 titles. If anyone challenges her, then it’ll be one of the more interesting storylines out of the Europe Swing.

• Ricky Wysocki is pushing himself into the convo for “The Big 4”, and this is his chance to get over his 7-year Major drought.

• Gannon Buhr became the highest-rated player last Tuesday (1051). He’s experiencing a bunch of firsts this week.

• Nate Sexton played his way into qualifying for this event with his 32nd finish at Krokhol.

• Väinö Mäkelä podiumed in his 3rd event on Team Innova. He knows Tampere better than most.

• And it wouldn’t be an EO without mentioning Paul McBeth, the recent birthday boy (July 9th). The 34-year-old’s history here runs deep, and he’s still pushing hard to match Ken Climo’s Major-win count of 18.

#5 👊

opendiscgolf.com

Forget the Paris Olympics; patriotism starts a week early. Before two Major winners get crowned, the festivities start off with a bang tomorrow.

In less than 24 hours (Wednesday 6 ET), the Presidents Cup will pit Team Europe against Team USA for the 12th time. USA will attempt to continue their undefeated streak.

The format includes two back-to-back 9-hole rounds at Nokia. The first is individual best shot, and the second is match play.

Live coverage of the Presidents Cup and EO is only available for DGN premium subscribers. This is the one time of year when pros are treated like royalty and rock stars.

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie

Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, highlights, memes, Aderhold’s pyrotechnics, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf AND only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

@DGPT

Over the holiday weekend, there were more than just fireworks popping off. At 18 years old and in her rookie season, Emily Weatherman skipped the part where she gets used to touring life and learns how to compete against the best.

Instead, she won her first DGPT, became the 5th first-time FPO winner this year, and shot back-to-back 1000+ rounds. The clear Rookie of the Year has had a breakneck comeup.

#2 👊

In MPO, the action was just as hot. After a few weeks of surprisingly bad finishes plus a missed cash, AB heard the POTY convos getting stale and wanted back in.

He fought off his best friend and touring partner -Hammes - who himself broke records on Saturday with a -14, 1091-rated round. But not even that or the hometown hero - Buhr - could handle AB’s Luna park jobs.

AB has now joined the decorated list of players with 4+ Major/Elite wins in a single year. He has 10 more events left to stack on another.

The AB Fan Club (Saturday, 7/6)

#3 👊

There are two things we love:
1/ Playing a casual round with friends.
2/ Pure’ing a drive through the intended gap.

For most, that second thing can be rare. Last week, Overthrow DG dropped their framework to solve your shanks.

If you’re releasing early and hitting the left tree (RHBH):

• Check your walkup. It must be forward and toward the target. A common mistake is starting at the pad’s back right corner and ending front left. This walkup crosses your actual line and can cause rounding.

Overthrow Disc Golf

• Check your throwing hand. Releasing the disc needs to feel committed and sent through with the hand.

If you’re releasing late and hitting the right tree:

• Check your upper body. A common mistake is overcommitting, which causes your body to become too involved.
  Your throwing hand should guide the disc through, not your entire body. One cue to solve this is to hold your eyes and head back through the throw.

Overthrow Disc Golf

Disc golf was meant to be played in the woods. So keep that love alive and listen to Overthrow DG.

#4 👊

@EveliinaSalonen

@TeemuTalikainen

With this year’s schedule so jam-packed, last weekend was the perfect time for two European powerhouses to hold their National Championships. Each title is won on the country’s biggest stage, which is reserved only for its citizens.

Finnish Championship

Going into the event, the expectation was to see a new FPO winner and a repeat MPO winner. Instead, the results were flip-flopped.

Due to the course’s hardest hole, Silva Saarinen was unable to continue her win streak. On hole 18, she shot a combined +11 across 4 rounds while Eveliina Salonen shot -1.

Salonen continues her stellar season and adds 5x Finnish champ to her resume. Her first Finnish title dates back to 2015.

In MPO, a two-hole playoff ended in Teemu Talikainen’s upset over 3x champ Niklas Anttila. It was a disappointing ending for Anttila, who missed many chances to close out.

Estonian Championship

Without Kristin Tattar playing, Kaidi Allsalu went wire-to-wire, won by 6, and became back-to-back champ. Her win was followed by another disappointing ending by Mauri Villmann.

He gave up 7 strokes and the victory in the final 3 holes. Albert Tamm completed the comeback and became 5x champ.

#5 👊

UDisc

It’s time. The Europe Swing is officially here, and it premieres with the Krokhol Open in Oslo, Norway.

Starting on Friday, the World’s #1 course will be featured in all its glory. Krokhol DGC sits on an amazing property that was a former back nine of a ball golf course.

But unlike others, there are no wide-open holes in this layout. It’s highly technical, difficult, and beautiful. Last year, Bradley Williams beat McBeth by 1 stroke with a -16 total.

This year will be different, though. The MPO field is deep and includes almost every notable name except Heimburg (recently dropped), Dickerson, and the Robinson brothers.

In FPO, Kristin Tattar will make her post-broken rib comeback to a smaller field. Salonen & Blomroos dropped recently, while Scoggins, Handley, and Gannon aren’t making it.

Either way, the Europe Swing will be exciting. So adjust your sleep schedule and get ready for the incredible Euro crowds, courses, and golf.

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie

Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, highlights, memes, Leiviska’s smoothie recipe, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf AND only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

We're starting off this week with a banger that rocked the disc golf world for less than 12 hours. Last Wednesday, Silas Schultz doled out 361 words of diss track in retaliation to Drew Gibson’s IG reel dropped during The Preserve.

Schultz’s bars were creative, personal, and at times, cringey. It took only 10 hours for him to delete it, but it lives forever on Reddit.

Schultz not only roasted Gibson’s appearance, voice, and poor finishes but also mentioned his girlfriend, Makayla Allen (yes, Jen Allen’s daughter). Soon after, Gibson posted his attempt at a clapback and immediately deleted it, but not before it was found.

While the drama came and went quickly, the ripple effects are still out there, and these two won’t be on good terms for a while. At least the pair got plenty of attention, and Schultz even profited from it with a Discmania stamp run.

#2 👊

@DGADiscGolf

Last Friday (6/28) would have been “Steady” Ed Headrick’s 100th birthday. He’s the father of both the modern-day Frisbee and our sport, disc golf.

It all began in 1976 when he started the Disc Golf Association, invented the pole hole, and then formed the PDGA as #001. He passed in 2002, and his legacy still holds true through each one of us.

If you couldn’t get a round in over the weekend, make sure to rip a drive or stick a putt for Steady Ed this week.

#3 👊

Speaking of history, Scott Stokely is doing all he can to bring back the dead. His latest is the purchase of CHING Discs and its six original molds.

He bought it years ago, but only now started manufacturing. In addition to his own line of discs, he’s debuting the JuJu, in premium plastic.

This news came as near-spiritual for older players. Founded by Mike Holgate in the late 90s, CHING began as Innova-molded with The Bomb, Sniper, Stinger, and Tank.

Then in 2004, Holgate began producing original discs, which Stokely now owns. CHING operated for 10 years but went out of business for personal reasons.

After bringing the original molds to market, Stokely plans to create an experimental line continuing CHING’s innovative legacy. This news only adds to the laundry list of ways he’s either giving back or remaining relevant.

Only Stokely knows what’s up his sleeve next, and I’m excited about it. Back in the day, the Juju was known for its “excelerator countours” thumb track and as an approach disc that didn’t skip.

#4 👊

Somehow, the first half of 2024 is already over. Summer’s in full swing, days are getting shorter, and Silva Saarinen bumps her win streak to five (2 Elite and 3 Silver).

She’s won every event in June, capping it off with this weekend’s Swedish Open. And despite the varying field strengths, her physical and mental endurance is among the best.

In MPO, Yames Proctor overcame years of falling short with his first DGPT win. The field was the season’s 13th strongest and the best European Elite so far.

Aside from the historic wins, the side storylines were just as interesting:

1/ A week after KJ USA switched from Prodigy to Innova, Väinö Mäkelä did the same. But while KJ’s move was orchestrated and necessary by Prodigy, Mäkelä has said his was in the works since Christmas.

The 3.5-year contract was finalized in May, and now, he can bring back “the same childlike passion for playing.” He plans to train harder, wants to win big events, and will have a Signature Series out this summer.

With his new discs, Mäkelä finished T21, averaged 1020, and made $564.

2/ Continuing the longest active MPO streak at 47 consecutive Majors/Elites, Calvin Heimburg finished last cash. His 1005-rated performance can be chalked up to his travel nightmare getting there.

• Originally planning to skip the event, he booked a last-minute flight.

• He became stranded in Oslo after a canceled connection.

• A volunteer picked him up and drove him to Borås (4.5hr one way).

• He played the course blind with 6 hours of sleep.

Nikke loves Vinny (@bradleydiscgolf)

#5 👊

Leiviska (FB)

In Cedar, MN, The Majestic was must-watch TV with a record number of 1,000-rated players for an A-Tier. It was a 66-hole birdie-or-die played at Blue Ribbon Pines and Airborn Hollows.

In MPO, it was a barnburner as Hammes held the lead until the final hole. He “had a bad bounce and roll OB,” allowing Marwede to clutch up a 30-footer, ending his near-flawless putting performance.

In 3 days and 300 miles south, the US Tour picks back up with the Des Moines Challenge. It’s the final stop before the Europe Swing and returns to Pickard Park for its 4th year.

In 2022, Lizotte fended off Burridge in a 4-hole playoff. And last year, Buhr ended on top of a crowded podium at his home course.

Outside of the unofficial Midwest Swing, the Finnish Nationals will also be broadcast live on DGN. This event means as much as any Elite to every Finn qualified to play.

Starting on Thursday, you can pull all-nighters to see if Saarinen can win six in a row or if Anttila can become a 4x Finnish Champ.

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie

Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, highlights, memes, KJ USA’s favorite Destroyer, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf AND only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

“These baskets suck.” - Robinson (R2H12 DGN)

“Isaac, I feel ya man.” - Handley (R3H8 Jomez)

The Preserve had it all. Big crowds, quick downpours, and blazing hot rounds made it races ‘til the end.

But what enhanced or distracted the action was the Prodigy T2 baskets that spit more than the ‘Hawk Tuah Girl.’ So let’s beat this dead horse one more time.

In front of thousands of spectators and many more at home, there were several spit-outs that affected more than what should be possible. What’s worse, the argument for putting’s loss of “touch” had no place here.

During the pre-event presser, Phill Diloné (DGPT Asst. TD) shared they’re drafting more standards for the already-approved baskets. These are being worked directly with the Player’s Council.

The plan is to reduce the number of baskets approved for use on Tour, possibly next season. So change is coming, and hopefully, the current Prodigy T2s and DD Veterans won’t make the shortlist.

#2 👊

The next generation is here. It’s a changing of the guard on Tour.

While we applaud the field’s young guns every other week, this time, we’re celebrating career longevity. Even if Wysocki can’t overcome his 7-year Major drought, he’s a threat at almost every Elite.

And at Cale’s Gotta Go Throw’s place, the 31-year-old whipped out the Raptor Legs for the third time. Another example of veteran success was Catrina Allen.

At 8 months pregnant, she carried her bag every day, finished T16, and even beat recent Portland Open winner Paige Pierce by two. This is her last DGPT event, and she hopes to return for the Green Mountain Championship (Sept).

On the other side of the coin, The Preserve was another lackluster event for Paul McBeth. Finishing in 53rd, it was his 4th event of 2024 where he missed cash.

To put that in perspective, he missed cash only three times from 2010 to 2023 (not including DNFs). He may not be as consistent as before, but McBeast still has a good shot at Worlds on his designed courses.

#3 👊

In the past 10 days, KJ USA went to Bonnaroo, abruptly left Prodigy, joined Innova, and had his third-best finish (T28) this season. Despite the muted announcement on Friday, he’s had a pretty good start to summer.

The details of his sponsor swap will likely be kept in the dark, but here’s what’s out there:

• KJ can’t speak on any details due to an NDA.

• Will Schusterick (Prodigy Sales Director) said, “It was a good opportunity for [KJ] and made sense for both parties.”

• The contract length was not announced, but if I had to guess, he’s on the team until the end of next season.

Either way, KJ’s already comfortable with his new Innova bag filled with old plastic.

KJ USA ITB (@innovadiscs)

Days after this news, Innova made another mid-season move by picking up Connor Rock. Not only is he the LVC winner who beat Buhr & Heimburg, but he took down the Beehive Classic in Ogden, UT and is leading the Q-Series points standings.

#4 👊

This isn’t the first time I’ve talked about Joonas Merelä, nor will it be the last. He’s the coach for the Finnish national team and is very dedicated to his craft.

Recently, he shared one of his many light bulb moments. The age-old adage of slow is smooth, smooth is far is wrong.

To further prove his point, I found a completely unrelated tip from Babcock & Buhr on Bodanza’s channel. When throwing power FHs (400-450’), the key is to “keep things nice and smooth” and add “a little extra acceleration at the end.”

It should be a stock throw but ending harder and faster. So really, the phrase should be: Slow is smooth, THEN fast is far.

#5 👊

R2H13 1017’ Eagle (MDG Media)

R2H16 394’ Skymahawk (@MDG.Media)

Over the weekend, another DGPT event took place at “the best course on the planet, and it’s not even close.” In Nol, Sweden, the Ale Open was the Tour’s fourth Silver event.

In MPO, Daniel Davidsson won by four strokes and has been declared by his peers to be Europe’s best BH driver. In FPO, Silva Saarinen continued her insane win streak with 4 in a row.

This weekend, the DGPT’s third European Elite will remain in Sweden. The Swedish Open marks the beginning of increased American participation.

The following pros are trading pond hopping for a lengthy Euro trip and are staying for 4-5 weeks.

• MPO: Ricky Wysocki, Eagle McMahon, Paul McBeth, Bradley Williams, James Proctor, Joey Buckets, James Conrad

• FPO: Ella Hansen

Thanks for reading today. Get out and listen to Sockibomb’s song this week!

- Charlie

Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, highlights, memes, Ohn’s putting routine, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf AND only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

R3H9 Tactic Putt (@MDG.Media)

R3H14 Magic (DGPT)

Two days ago, Turku, Finland, hosted the 2nd Elite event in Europe. Since the true Swing starts next month, the field wasn’t well represented.

And yet, the action was intense as the Finns conquered on their home turf. In MPO, Niklas Anttila raised the well-earned 10kg (22lb) trophy.

Coming into the event, Anttila was hands down the favorite but wasn’t realized until Sunday’s 9th hole. What followed was a heroic chase down, catching 2023’s dark horse - Mauri Villmann.

3 months ago, Anttila became the first Finnish man to win on Tour, and now, he’s found his second hours from home. In FPO, Silva Saarinen’s win was also defined by putting.

She was labeled as the “European Ohn Scoggins” and has now won 3 DGPT events (2 Silver, 1 Elite) in a row. Saarinen’s stamina will come into play as she has 8 more weeks of competition planned before time off.

Ohn would like a word, Mr. Proctor

#2 👊

Speaking of conquering and Scoggins, the PDGA Masters Worlds took place over 5 days in Emporia, KS. This age-restricted event crowned an astounding 24 individuals as Pro & Am World Champs.

FP40/ Two days and a redeye after barely losing BSF, Ohn Scoggins lit up her division. The “Michael Jordan of FP40” has now won 4 Masters Worlds in a row.

MP40/ Paling in comparison to Ohn’s, Joe Rovere’s 14-stroke win is still massive. He tore apart Champions Landing and made me wish there was a world where he loved disc golf more than his middle school robotics teacher job.

FP50/ In a field of 5, Juliana Korver bumped her number of Worlds titles to 8 (1 Am, 5 FPO, 2 Masters).

MP50/ After missing his opportunity to defend his 2022 title, JohnE McCray made up for lost time. He became 3x Champ with 4 strokes over Brian “406 wins” Schweberger.

It turns out all these multi-time champs aren’t only good, but they’ll keep running it back. FP/MP80+ will be interesting in 40 years.

#3 👊

WDGHoF

Last week, the World Disc Golf Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2024. And while the HoF has had its ups and downs (McBeth’s 1st ballot dismissal), it’s important to recognize its soon-to-be members.

• Chris O’Cleary (#3024) is a 2x FPO World Champ (1988 & 1989) and 2013 inductee to the Ultimate HoF. She once held the distance record (Stingray, 377’) for over a decade in the 80s.

• Scott Stokely (#3140) needs no introduction. And despite taking 13 years off, he came back strong as an incredible ambassador through his teachings, positivity, and generosity.

• Leonard Muise (#3974) is a renowned course designer, most notably for OTB Open’s Swenson Park.

• Mike “Hubee” Hughes's (#1438) history goes way back, but nowadays, he’s best known for founding the Flying Disc Museum (2018).

• Terry Calhoun’s (#15117) impact ranges from designing courses in MI, serving on PDGA boards, and running popular disc golf sites. You’re most likely to see him on his private 28-hole course in Ann Arbor.

#4 👊

Last week, two things about money happened. One, The Fed decided if your money should be worth a little more or a lot less. And two, Paul Ulibarri gave us a peek behind the curtain into sponsorship numbers (Tour Life).

• Early years Innova: A “huge bonus program” with points race, rating, etc. Come season end, good performances meant “big” bonuses.

• 2013-2018 Prodigy: Monthly income between $1-1.5k, $100/month from Grip.

• 2019-2021 Discraft: Same monthly income and no signing bonus, Signature Series Raptor sales.

• 2022-Now Discraft: Icon Team, Co-Captain, Cap Rap sales, and many 3rd parties (Jomez, Power DGA, Zuca, etc.).

The final thing he mentioned was his Tour winnings make up 5-10% of his total income. Last year, he won $17.5k, so with some simple math, we can guess he made between $175k and $350k.

Not too shabby for one of the hardest workers on Tour.

#5 👊

If you thought the chess.com crossover was weird, this weekend’s partnership will blow your mind. The Preserve will have Microsoft Teams as the presenting sponsor.

If you’re a user, then you know all too well how nightmarish the incoming call sound can be. But instead of missed mute buttons, the DGPT is using Teams to connect pros directly to fans.

Since the announcement, the message board has held several Q&As. Here are the best quotes:

The event itself starts in three days, and its typical scorcher rounds might be doused by Midwest thunderstorms. This will be Simon Lizotte’s first event back since baby #2.

#5.5 👊

In shocking news, Kevin Jones announced he left Prodigy yesterday. While mid-season moves exist, they’re generally not from top well-known pros.

Not only that, but he’s only in year 3 of his 4-year contract. From Heather Young 2.0 to a performance clause, the speculations have been endless and won’t stop until he shares his “exciting news.”

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie

Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, highlights, memes, Wysocki’s latest juice cleanse, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf AND only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

JomezPro

In magical Milo McIver, Friday brought what can be described as serendipity. Hidden under mature trees, there’s a quick stretch of technical holes that are must-gets.

On hole 13, Holly Finley threw the perfect line into the basket 197’ away. Using her 12-year-old Star Mako, she got the #7 spot in Saturday’s SC Top 10.

Hours later on the same hole, Noah Fiveash (her bf and touring partner) purposefully went for the ace line and stuck it. It happened to be his birthday, and guess who was on his card… Big Jerm, the ace whisperer.

The “Couples Ace” is one for the history books.

HBD Noah (DGPT)

#2 👊

Roaring into a playoff (DGPT)

With no Tattar, Salonen, or Pierce, Beaver State Fling was the perfect recipe for a fire FPO finish. And it was Holyn Handley who stepped up and dissolved any choke artist claims.

She’s no longer just an “A-Tier” winner and a 12x podium finisher. She’s a Tour winner who chased down Ohn Scoggins by clutching up big putts.

Her performance on the last four holes and the playoff was awe-inspiring and gave me chills. This win makes her the eighth unique winner this season.

Now, we just have to wait 10 weeks until they all converge at Worlds in Lynchburg, VA. As of now, Handley has no plans to make the Europe Swing.

#3 👊

R3H15 50-footer (DGPT)

Going into BSF’s MPO final round, there were 21 players within 5 strokes of the top. In the end, Gannon Buhr fought off the wannabe first-time winners with the “luckiest kick of all time” and possibly the putt of the year.

He completed the 2-event Oregon sweep and matched AB’s 3 wins. But after all the build-up, his last putt and win felt deflating.

Here are the other exciting MPO storylines:

• Ezra Robinson’s now a mainstay at the top. “It won’t be long now…”

• Luke Humphries once again comes up so close, yet so far to beating Buhr. On hole 17, he got this many bogies.

• Ricky Wysocki celebrated his 31st birthday, then shot a bogey-free weekend and came up 1 short. He’s proving how hard it is to win nowadays.

• After 6 years off, Nate Doss shot a 1021 round, averaged 1004, and tied Major-winner Andrew Presnell in 71st.

• AB finished 61st and missed cash for the first time this year. He has the highest of ceilings but the lowest of floors.

#4 👊

Holly Finley & Noah Fiveash weren’t the only ones with a remote control finish on their discs this weekend. On Saturday, Lucas Carmichael threw in for 275’ and an eagle on Toboggan’s iconic turtle-back green.

Click to watch; A gif doesn’t do it justice

He ended up taking 2nd behind Ryan Monn at the US AM Championship. Carmichael is a Coloradan, 17 years old, and a 2-sport athlete (basketball) who’s been cutting his teeth against stiff competition (Joe Rovere) while turning down cash.

Bonus highlight: 442’ of pure lefty goodness from Ross Kimbrell.

#5 👊

Sunday, June 9

This Friday, Nick Krush (sprinter, fitness coach, & beefcake) will test his skills in GK Pro/Kayak Point’s distance competition. It’s part of their 3-day festival that includes Beat the Pros, Skins, Matchplay, and much more.

Those attending include Luke Humphries, Alden Harris, Isaac & Ezra Robinson, Bradley Williams, Double G, and another content creator - Clint “BlitzDG” Easterly, the 500' standstill master.

If that isn’t enough to fill your cup, there’s a slew of off-week DGPT Europe week events.

• Turku Open (Turku, Finland): Proctor & Oakley vs. the Finns; Salonen & Blomroos back in action.

• Pro Masters Worlds (Emporia, KS): Starting today, Cale Leiviska will battle Joe Rovere for his first Major win, while Ohn Scoggins goes for her 4th title in a row.

• Beehive Classic (Ogden, Utah): The Fort will finally get some time in the limelight since The Holy Shot.

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie

Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, highlights, memes, Buhr’s millionth spit-out, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf AND only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

59’ Eagle R1H4 (DGPT)

Near Eagle Throw-In R2H1 (DGPT)

Gannon Buhr is changing the game and giving Lizotte a run for his money as the “Human Highlight Reel.” The 19-year-old mopped the floor with the field and then coasted to a win in Sunday’s atmospheric river conditions.

Like many pros, Buhr loves the mini Oregon swing, especially since he stays at the Redalen residence with his good friend and runner-up. The PNW vibes and course clearly suited him.

At this point, he’s rivaling Vinny’s 2023 consistency and quickly taking over as the POTY front-runner. Buhr only has one finish outside the top 10 and has won both plus events.

#2 👊

Paige Pierce’s weekend started with her 33rd birthday and ended with her first Elite win in 382 days. She is your 3x Portland Open Champ.

This will be the comeback storyline of the year. 11 months ago, Pierce’s freak accident put walking properly in question, let alone leading the field again.

Our sport is better with her at her best, and this weekend was proof for everyone, including herself. FPO just got that much more exciting.

Provisional Throw-In (JomezPro)

#3 👊

Every season, there’s a new face fighting for the top in FPO. Weeks ago, Emily Weatherman was spotlighted, and now it’s Sofia Donnecke’s turn.

In just her 2nd Elite event, she finished 3rd and broke Tattar’s Glendoveer West course record. Who is she?

• 2020: Bought her first discs and played the few tonal courses in her city of Victoria, B.C., Canada.

• 2022: Played her first sanctioned tournament.

• 2023: Won 4 events, including the British Columbia Open (A-Tier), and finished 33rd at Throw Pink.

• 2024: Finished 2nd at LVC, 14th at OTB, & 10th at Cascade Challenge

At this point, Donnecke has clearly skipped the minor leagues. But what’s even more impressive is her actual resume:

• Undergraduate degree from Harvard, where she was co-captain for Women’s Crew.

• PhD from the University of Victory, where she ran Track & Cross Country.

• Mountain Enthusiast: Climbing, Biking, and Photography.

Originally testing the Tour waters, Donnecke planned to end with BSF, play Canadian events, then finish with the Aussie Open in November. But now that she’s qualified for Throw Pink and is proven, her plans will most definitely change.

#4 👊

Nikko Locastro’s Cue (Connor O’Reilly)

This week, I found two tips from two very different pros. The first is from Nikko Locastro on missing putts low.

In Connor O’Reilly’s vlog, Locastro explained how he has a new cue in his putting routine: A higher-than-normal draw. It’s simple and effective in raising your release point.

The second tip is from Calvin Heimburg on his bread-and-butter shot: Low-ceiling drives. Before you throw, focus and shadow-swing on getting your body into a more crouched position.

Your actual throw won’t be as dramatic as that cue, but a small difference can mean avoiding annoying danglers.

Crouching Calvin (JomezPro)

#5 👊

8 months ago, Nate Doss decided he was going to compete again. He only cared about USDGC but needed a warm-up, and the perfect event was his home state’s Beaver State Fling.

To some of you, Doss is just a floating head who speaks the obvious. But to most, he’s a 3x World Champ, 1x USDGC Champ, and a future hall-of-famer who left the game early in 2018.

Growing up in Santa Cruz, Doss saw the infancy of our sport as a 7-year-old, and now, he’s back to face its most competitive field. But he’s not half-assing it; he’s been hitting the course, field, and net to bring back his stamina.

Come Friday, Doss will be on the feature card, and it’s going to be a must-watch. Please join me in praying to Treesus that he goes toe to toe with these young guns.

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Today is the start of something new. Instead of what you may or may not be used to, TPM will follow this format until otherwise.

It‘s quick with no filler and only once a week.

Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, highlights, memes, McBeth’s latest car, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf AND only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

Besides the majestic PNW woods golf and axe trophies, the 3rd DGPT Q-Series (Cascade Challenge) delivered…

• Niklas Anttila’s second US win and highest-rated round ever (RD1, -14, 1097). He signed up for the event the night before.

• Deann Carey’s highest-rated round (RD2, -10, 1036) and eventual win.

• And quality behind the scenes into off-week shenanigans from Adam Hammes.

Nikke loves his ice cream (@Hambone57365)

#2 👊

R3H15, 255’ (@benjamincallawaydg)

This weekend, The Rumble (A-Tier) went down in Milan, IL. The defending champ - Ben Callaway - tried everything to hold off Massachusetts’s own Paul Krans.

But even a final-round ace couldn’t do the job. This win could be what Krans needs to turn his season around after a shaky start to his touring career.

Since going full-time, he’s only cashed once (The Open at Austin) and has been battling a knuckle injury.

#3 👊

I’m a simple guy. I like my pizza hot, my beer cold, and my discs under $30. Sadly that last ask isn’t so easy now.

Ricky Wysocki’s newest disc is the General, and it retails for a whopping $32.99. Word on the street is the entirety of House of Discs will be “raising wholesale pricing, MSRP, and decreasing margins for stores.”

This is a big oof and worrisome for our sport’s downturn, which everyone keeps talking about. However, Jeremy Rusco, DD’s Founder, tends to think otherwise.

#4 👊

Along the same lines, this is an interesting look into a very small snapshot of a regional retailer. It feels like another big oof for HoD.

#5 👊

This tip might be a day late for your backyard BBQ, but it’s not a dollar short. Discs MD created this incredibly simple drill to understand the brace.

Step 1: Lift your feet and throw

Step 2: Lightly rest your feet and throw

Step 3: Push down hard with your lead foot and pull through

Give it a go, or keep it in your back pocket for your next cookout.

Thanks for sticking with me. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie

P.S. This isn’t just an off-week format. This will be the every-week format.

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. We’re like your favorite beat-in Destroyer - comfortable, reliable, and always finding the fairway.

Let’s get into it.

Email Read Time: 5 Minutes & 39 Seconds

TOUR COVERAGE
OTB Open

RESULTS - 🏆CALVIN HEIMBURG & ELLA HANSEN

Kicking off the West Coast Swing and previewing a Major, this event had high expectations. And thanks to the dreamy conditions, the California state of mind was in full force.

In no particular order, here are the storylines you should remember or may have missed:

HIGHLIGHT

After tying the course record (-13, 1083 rated) on Saturday, Ezra Aderhold couldn’t avoid early mistakes to stay in contention. But he did bless us with the shot shape of your dreams.

For hole 7’s dangerous green, he threw a hyzer flip to turnover with a Z Swirl Passion.

It’s Always a Passion (JomezPro)

POWERED BY INFINITE DISCS
Fresh Plastic

♾️ Infinite’s Highlight: OTB Open Phase II
The champions have been crowned, and the event is over.

But the rare runs to celebrate it are still available. MVP & OTB found a way to make Phase II even better than the first.

• Prism Neutron Trance (8|5|-2|1) - This US fairway flies farther than any 8-speed. It’s a controllable hyzer flip machine.

• Neutron Soft Crave (6|5|-1|1) - One of their best molds meets one of their best plastics. This is an easy buy for new and old Crave addicts.

• Prism Proton Soft Vanish (11|5|-3|2) - Sits between the Wave and Orbital. This plastic is considered the best to come out of MVP.

• Proton Soft Hex (5|5|-1|1) - Continues the trend of amazing molds combined with plastic.

• Eclipse Orbital (11|5|-4.5|1) - A more US Wave, but don’t let the -4.5 turn fool you. It’ll hold up in this glow plastic.

• Eclipse Watt (2|5|-0.5|0.5) - It’s true what they say. This is, in fact, a practical Glitch. It’s my favorite disc currently.

They’re not just pretty wall hangers. They’re also banging throwers. Go to Infinite Discs and grab some before they run out!

QUICK HITS
Random Dubs

1️⃣ Coming out of the weekend, there were two bits of bitter news. Both Kristin Tattar and Brodie Smith announced they are taking a break from the Tour.

Tattar broke her rib during a freak accident in her home. She’s been instructed to take at least 4 weeks off from play, so she dropped the Portland Open and Beaver State Fling, which conclude the West Coast Swing.

Her first event back will be the Krokhol Open in Norway (July 12). Then, she’ll continue the Europe Swing and be back stateside for Worlds.

Will her throwing suffer as a result of this new injury? Or will her time off be better in the long run? Either way, her 1000 rating will remain intact until at least August.

On the other side of the coin, Smith has yet to cash this season. While his OTB 55th finish wasn’t terrible (tied with Gibson, Humphries, & Conrad), he’s made the decision to step away and train.

It’s worth noting that his Discraft contract is up at the end of the season.

2️⃣ With Zach Melton trending, MeltedBarri took over the JomezPro booth this weekend. Its low-key vibes resonated with some but lacked energy for others.

So, where was BigSexy? Big Jerm and Nate Sexton spent three days in Sakai, Japan, hosting clinics for hundreds of school kids. I’m sure it was an experience all parties will never forget.

@frisbeenate

Tweet of the Week

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- Charlie

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DISCUSSION
The Heir Apparent to GOAT

Two days ago, Kristin Tattar’s PDGA rating went from 999 to 1000, and it was monumental. As the saying goes, “One small step for Tattar, one giant leap for disc golf.”

23 years ago, Juliana Korver was the first to break 960. Fast forward to now, we’re 10 events into 2024, and 14 FPO players share Korver’s achievement.

For the most part, Gannon was right; the field is experiencing the most parity ever. There were unique winners in the first 5 events before Tattar won the 6th and 7th.

First Time Ever (@DGPT)

Not only that, but winners in the first 7 events averaged over 1000 rated. Last year, that happened 8 total times at Elites/Majors, with three of those being Tattar.

So, yes, the field has stepped up. But even if their ceiling has risen, it only matches her floor.

Tattar’s historic 1000 rating shows off her real superpowers: consistency & mental fortitude. In her career, she has sixty-nine 1000+ rounds and has her eyes set on more.

Everyone still has much to learn from the best FPO player to live. And whether it's on or off the course, Kristin Tattar’s next mountain will be once again game-changing.

TOUR COVERAGE
OTB Open

PREVIEW (5/17-19)

It’s that time of year. The Golden State’s upper 80s, low winds, and manicured fairways will kick off the West Coast Swing tomorrow.

This will be the first of just three events in this leg, with Portland being a DGPT+. In OTB’s fourth year at Swenson Park, Leonard Muise’s highly acclaimed layouts have gone through minor changes.

The biggest will come on Moving Day when the already long course gets longer, with hole 9 going from par 4 → 5. This is only the start of alternate pins on Tour, and it’s a welcome addition.

Get ready to watch disc rips and rollers all around this beautiful property. It’s certainly unique for a ball golf course.

LAST YEAR RECAP

MPO/ After shooting the course record (-12) on Saturday, Emerson Keith held on despite a charging Gannon Buhr from the 5th card. He took down his first and only DGPT win on Mother’s Day.

FPO/ In typical fashion, this event saw fewer Europeans competing, including Tattar. But no matter, Paige Pierce had her foot on the gas with a 1033-rated Moving Day.

Becoming 3x OTB Open champ, she captured the second and last win of her shortened 2023 season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

While it sounds like a broken record, both Ella Hansen and Holyn Handley are due for their first Elite wins. The pair have finished more times in the top 10 than not this season, and this course is set up for them.

If it’s going to happen, then it’s going to be here. Also looking to make some noise is Eagle McMahon.

After his disappointing post-surgery debut, he has much to prove and could easily do it. McMahon thrives during the West Coast Swing and would love to become a 2x OTB Open champ.

POWERED BY INFINITE DISCS
“Kristin is the embodiment of ‘1000 rated’”

Through 20 events and 69 rounds, Kristin Tattar made history on Tuesday. In her honor, here are her three signature molds on Infinite Discs:

• Zero Medium Orbit Pure (3|3|-1|1) - Whether used for putting or throwing, this does it all. Next to the Aviar, it’s one of the most popular beadless putters on the market.

• Opto Moonshine Orbit Claymore (5|5|-1|1) - This is a farther-flying Pure. It’s perfectly dead straight for tight, wooded fairways.

• Royal Grand Orbit Grace (11|6|-1|2) - This is a better Wraith in a better plastic. From wind fighter to hyzer flip, this mold is usable by anyone.

Celebrate 1KT by shopping Infinite Discs today!

QUICK HITS
Random Dubs

1️⃣ This weekend (5/18-19), the biggest event in disc golf begins worldwide and only happens every two years. The Women’s Global Event is a virtual tournament where players are compared by the average of 2 round ratings.

In 2022, 3,301 players participated in 129 events. Sandi Hendel from Ontario, Canada, was the FPO winner, averaging 972.2.

This year, 3,286 players have already signed up for 141 events in 23 countries. Most events allow registration until tomorrow night, so there’s still time to set a new record. It’s the perfect first event for any woman.

2️⃣ The PDGA is a month late with their April Fool’s post… Yesterday, it was announced that the 2025 Champions Cup will not be at the International Disc Golf Center in Appling, GA.

Instead, it will have a “temporary home” at Swenson Park in Stockton, CA. As expected, reactions were far from positive.

And while the PDGA’s peace offering is that it’ll be the first West Coast Major since 2014, this unwelcome change only raises more questions.

• Is Champions Cup supposed to be a traveling Major?

• Will the IDGC ever be back to its former glory?

• Where will 2026 be?

It’s understandable that there are things outside of their control, but this decision is a head-scratcher. I guess the only thing we can do is enjoy this weekend’s preview for next year’s wooded springtime Major.

Meme of the Week

@clutch_city_discgolf

Thanks for reading today. Get out and play plinko this weekend!

- Charlie

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The only newsletter to chase northern lights while watching live disc golf.

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TOUR COVERAGE
Copenhagen Open

RESULTS - 🏆JESSE NIEMINEN & EVELIINA SALONEN

The Europe Tour kicked off its first Elite stop during a weekend full of global events. It was a great first look at what’s to come as the fields and courses become more impressive.

In no particular order, here are the storylines you should remember or may have missed:

HIGHLIGHT

164’ (@DGPT)

The OG KJ gave us a glimpse into his storied past with a par-save flick on Friday. It definitely wasn’t the first time he’s had to scramble from there, as this park was where he learned to play.

@DGPT

PRO COVERAGE
US Off-Week Action

There are no real off-weeks anymore. Before jumping into the West Coast Swing, touring pros found themselves at 3 historic events this weekend.

LAS VEGAS CHALLENGE

With 4 rounds and big names, this year’s LVC had all the makings of a Tour event. It was easily the biggest A-Tier in the country.

Starting hot, Gannon Buhr nearly blew out the tournament with a 7-stroke lead after Friday. But as the weekend went on, he lost momentum to Connor Rock, who went off on Sunday and raised eyebrows.

Rock is a recent grad from Northern Arizona University who has terrorized his the local AZ scene for years. He’s currently 1012 rated, unsponsored, and is hitting most Tour stops and Q-Series this season.

SANTA CRUZ MASTERS CUP

Officially on a heater, Ezra Robinson takes down another A-Tier. He’s got a ton of momentum already on his side, especially considering he played this event blind.

Last week, he shared that his car completely broke down on the way to CA from KS. Not only did he drive a rental car for 20 hours to Santa Cruz, but he still has to fly back, get his own car, and drive another 20+ after OTB Open ends.

303 OPEN

On the final day, Joe Rovere put the pressure on the defending champ - Aaron Gossage. Colorado’s Final Boss birdied crazy holes to tie it up, but Goose didn’t back down. Hopefully, he rides this high into the OTB Open.

POWERED BY INFINITE DISCS
Fresh Plastic

♾️ Infinite’s Highlight: Latitude64’s Zero Gravity Line.
This new plastic type from Sweden is perfect for all arm speeds.

Zero Gravity is super light (120-130g), floats on water, and can be thrown by anyone. It’s great for kids, effortless distance, and aces.

Gravity Zero Saint (@gally3pwood)

Lightweight discs can also make the impossible possible. Adults can have fun too.

121g Scorch (@jeff.korns)

Right now, Infinite Discs has the Pure (3|3|-1|1), Fuse (5|6|-1|0), and Explorer (7|5|0|2) in Zero Gravity. Grab one today!

QUICK HITS
Random Dubs

1️⃣ Happy PDGA Ratings Update Day! And it’s not just any update.

Today, May 14, 2024, Kristin Tattar officially hit 1000 rated. After sitting at 999 for months, she’s the first woman to ever hit this benchmark.

@PDGA

Now, new questions are on the table:
How long can she maintain this level of play?
Will she only go up?
And when will the next woman pass Tattar?

2️⃣ Last Thursday was filled with successful proposals. Gavin Rathbun and Kevin Jones both announced that “she said yes” and are now engaged to their SO’s.

While their milestones deserved congratulations, Paul McBeth and his foundation introduced a BIG partnership. New York City will no longer be a disc golf desert.

A 10-hole course in Highland Park will officially open in about a month. This is a huge opportunity for growth in the world’s fourth-largest city, with 5.1M people in the surrounding boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn.

@paulmcbethfoundation

Tweet of the Week

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- Charlie

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PRO COVERAGE
Not An Off-Week

It’s time for the first fork in the Tour. This weekend is both the start of DGPT Europe and the off-week bridge to the West Coast Swing.

The pros will be split across four cities and two continents. They had their pick of the A-Tier litter or an Elite event in a new country.

While some are following sponsor wishes or looking for a win, this is only the start of pond hopping. Here are the US pit stops before Stockton, CA’s OTB Open:

LAS VEGAS CHALLENGE (5/9-12)

In its 25th anniversary year, LVC was skipped as the typical DGPT season opener. As a result, the event moved dates and changed nothing else.

Everything you expect to see in Vegas will be the same: the 3 courses, the rare Firebird & Toro releases, and the pro turnout.

2024 LVC Sexton Firebird

In the field:

• After a win last weekend, Calvin Heimburg is back to defend and add another LVC title to his two.

• Gannon Buhr & Ricky Wysocki will stand in his way. They’ve both gotten close but never won here.

• Other big names attending: Isaac Robinson, Bradley Williams, Alden Harris, & Nate Sexton.

• In FPO, Lisa Fajkus hopes to continue her recent momentum against a 7-month-pregnant Catrina Allen, defending her title.

This four-day event starts today, so be prepared to watch iconic holes with others that blend together. Post-produced will be on Gatekeeper Media.

SANTA CRUZ MASTERS CUP (5/9-12)

UDisc

It’s Santa Cruzmas in May. While it’s not as big of a deal as before, this OG event continues to uphold the grassroots vibe of decades past.

Starting tomorrow, it’ll feature two 24-hole rounds at DeLaveaga and a 20-hole round at Pinto Lake. DeLa’s hollowed grounds are rich in history, from Barsby’s roller ace to Gannon Buhr’s first Tour win.

In the field:

• Ezra Robinson will go against tour buddies Robert Burridge & Chandler Kramer.

• Out of six FPO, Emily Weatherman will have to beat defending champ Ohn Scoggins to continue her breakout year.

This event was on Tour for years before changing to Silver status in 2022 and eventually back to an A-Tier last year. Post coverage will be by Top World DG and Local Route.

303 OPEN (5/9-11)

The last of the off-week events is a Colorado staple. In its 13th year, this A-Tier will debut the DGPT Q-Series.

This new set of qualifying events is what the Tour always wanted Silvers to be: a stand-alone series allowing up-and-comers to earn a Tour Card. Nowadays, this is the one thing you need to actually become a touring pro.

In the field:

• Defending his title, Aaron Gossage will have to beat two other Colorado legends, Joe Rovere & Joel Freeman.

• Besides the smattering of aspiring pros, Anthony Bodanza probably has the most eyes on him. The YouTuber has been grinding content and practice to earn a Tour spot.

For the touring pros, no points are up for grabs, as they’ll only win bragging rights and cash. For everyone else, a good finish here means a 2025 touring season or a spot in the late November Q-series finale.

TOUR COVERAGE
Copenhagen Open

PREVIEW (5/10-12)

The inaugural event of DGPT Europe kicks off in Denmark’s capital. While it’s not the actual start of the Europe Swing, it begins multi-week stretches where live coverage happens on two continents.

DGPT Europe is a unified tour that creates a platform for European pros to compete and earn equal points. This event has Elite status and will reward the same amount as any other, like DDO.

The Valbyparken course resembles Mill Ridge Park, where the Music City Open was held just weeks ago. Located on an old landfill, it makes use of some interesting triple mandos while still upholding the magic of European disc golf.

LAST YEAR RECAP

MPO/ 🥇Mauri Villmann (-21) 🥈Samuel Hänninen (-21) 🥉Daniel Davidsson (-20)

FPO/ 🥇Kaidi Allsalu (+12) 🥈Anneli Tõugjas-Männiste (+19) 🥉Heidi Laine/Jenni Karppinen (+20)

Since 2008, this event has been one of Europe’s most prestigious tournaments. It’s been a mainstay on Prodigy’s European Pro Tour.

Last year, all competitors played the same layout, and Villmann made his name known. Afterward, he continued his success in Europe with 3 more wins and other top finishes.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The European superstars that we’ve come to know and love are making the quick trip during their break.

• MPO: Niklas Anttila, Lauri Lehtinen, Jakub Semerád, and KJ Nybo

• FPO: Eveliina Salonen, Heidi Laine, Silva Saarinen, Anniken Steen, and Rachel Turton.

Two big American names, Paul Ulibarri and Gregg Barsby, also want to test their skills. They’re only there for a quick popover before heading back to the States next weekend.

Stay up late and watch FPO live at 3 AM ET, then sip your coffee during MPO in the mornings. This is the only live coverage happening this weekend on DGN with next-day by MDG Media.

POWERED BY INFINITE DISCS
Support the Pros

Over the weekend, James Proctor opted to skip out on the infamous Champions Landing course. He got married to his wife Emily with several disc golfers present, including his touring partner, Eric Oakley.

Both are backed by Infinite Disc and have amazing Signature Series out now:

James Proctor’s Halo S-Blend Centurion (7|5|-1|2) is dead straight and workable even for slower arms. Perfect for any conditions, this plastic runs more stable than others.

Eric Oakley’s Halo S-Blend Dynasty (9|5|-1|2). These reskinned CD2’s run on the flatter and OS side of Dynasty’s.

Celebrate Mr. & Mrs. Proctologist by supporting Infinite’s pros today!

QUICK HITS
Random Dubs

1️⃣ What’s the most you’ve ever played in a day? No matter what it was, 760 players in Estonia beat it last weekend.

In a yearly tradition, the Järva-Jaani 100 marathon event played 100 unique holes, ranging from 100’ to 650’. Each player walked ~13.5 miles while playing for 10 hours.

They’re either built different over there or just love disc golf.

Day 1 layout of 100 unique baskets (u/DiscGolfFanatic)

2️⃣ In our sport, there’s a truth that we all know but never want to hear. No, it’s not that an ace is a bad shot… It’s that your new McBeth 30-disc bag isn’t doing you any favors.

On the Fish Golf Brah-dcast, Kevin Kiefer revealed a part of Gannon Buhr’s game that makes him so successful. He only needs and carries 15 discs to tackle every course on Tour.

With a smaller bag, he knows all his discs inside and out. Instead of being surprised by how one flew, he’ll always know that a misthrow was because of his own execution.

So, if you want to improve your game, it’s not always about finding that next disc to fill a hole. Be like Gannon, and stop blaming the disc.

Meme of the Week

@worldofdisc

Thanks for reading today. Get out and make it worth it this weekend!

- Charlie

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TOUR COVERAGE
Dynamic Discs Open

RESULTS - 🏆CALVIN HEIMBURG & MISSY GANNON

After the unforgiving Northwood course, the 1st leg of the season ends with a classic stop in Emporia. In no particular order, here are the storylines you should remember or may have missed:

HIGHLIGHT

Going back and forth between FH or BH, Chris Clemons flicked his ESP Force straight into hole 16’s basket. He said, “I didn’t wanna lose my Throw Joe’s Cap Rap, so I figured I throw a soft force in the headwind.”

Clemonade made the hardest 320’ you’ll ever play look easy on Friday.

@DGPT

POWERED BY INFINITE DISCS
Fresh Plastic

♾️ Infinite’s Highlight: OTB Open Phase I
We’re just one off-week away from the start of the West Coast Swing.

To kick it off, MVP released OTB Open’s first phase of fundraiser discs. These limited-edition runs typically pair their hottest molds with unique plastics, and this year is no different.

Here are the six releases that have GYROnauts foaming at the mouth:

• Prism Proton Hex (5|5|-1|1) - This run is the most true to the flight numbers of any Hex.

• Eclipse Servo (6.5|5|-1|2) - Considered a Crave OS with its flat profile and more stability.

• Proton Soft Tempo (11|5|-0.5|2) - The “Zone SS” lives up to the hype.

• Proton Soft Glitch (1|7|0|0) - Less turn and burn than other runs.

• Proton Soft Paradox (5|4|-4|0) - A torque-resistant Rollo.

• Color Eclipse Drift (7|5|-2|1) - Flat and more controllable run of Drift.

After pouring one out for wallets everywhere, shop Infinite Discs for any of these limited editions.

QUICK HITS
Random Dubs

1️⃣ Besides Clemons, one other person aced hole 16 over the weekend. It was virtual but impressive nonetheless.

For weeks now, Tech Disc has introduced iconic holes into its web app. Lucky owners could throw DDO’s infamous island from the comfort of their homes.

We could be approaching the day when a proper disc golf simulator actually exists.

2️⃣ DGPT Silver events are back from the dead, but only in Europe. This past weekend, the Belgian Open went off in wet, windy, and muddy conditions.

It was the first of six European Silvers this year. Finland’s Teemu Lampainen took down MPO, while Estonia’s Anneli Tõugjas-Männiste dominated FPO.

The event’s post-produced coverage has been streaming out of MDG Media’s channel. Tune in for a fresh change cause there’s always something special about European disc golf.

Tweet of the Week

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. Spend the next 5 minutes and 40 seconds with us and you’ll be the smartest person at league tonight.

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PLAYER PROFILE
Jake Wolff - The Overhand Guy

520’ Tomahawk (@jakewolff_dg)

The DGPT is like the 5th grade - every few weeks, you find a new player to crush on. This time his name is Jake Wolff, and he stopped by Drew Gibson’s channel to introduce himself.

So who is “The Overhand Guy”? Wolff is probably the most unique player on the Tour.

In July 2020, his little brother (Ben Wolff) convinced him to play this sport that he thought wasn’t real. It was years after his college baseball career, and he had become successful in the corporate world of sales.

Wolff immediately fell in love with the competition and quickly jumped to MPO even with zero past frisbee experience. Since hitting the Tour full-time last year, he’s slowly improved his rating from 962 to 1006 today.

And while Wolff’s known for his power FHs and OHs, his uniqueness shines through in his approach to the game. He’s purposefully eliminated stress and variables.

• He only throws FHs on one angle, letting the discs do the work.

• Almost any impossible line is on the table. He goes over trees.

• In wet conditions, he has an advantage with his short runup and tombstoning OHs.

• In practice rounds (especially his 1st time on a course), he doesn’t putt so he can bag other discs. He’ll throw 6-7 tee shots learning every scenario.

@DrewGibson

• Before every round, he putts for 2 hours and warms up his shoulder for 1.5 hours.

• He doesn’t work out. His time on the course pushes his muscles enough that he doesn’t want to risk injury.

• He claims his healthy arm is thanks to lots of band work, warming up, and staying really really hydrated.

Wolff’s exposure and success will only increase as he continues to grind. But now into his 2nd touring year, what are his goals?

He wants to be a top-25 putter and thinks he can be elite by adding that to his arsenal. Other than that, he’s enjoying the journey and has no other plans.

Probably his most interesting fact is that he’s yet to throw a single BH in competition. And it’s easy to believe him… This is his form after asking Gibson how to grip it:

@DrewGibson

The lesson: You don’t have to be good at everything to be elite.

TOUR COVERAGE
Dynamic Discs Open

PREVIEW (5/3-5)

The 1st Major has come and gone. If the pitch-out woods weren’t your style, then the Tour’s got you covered.

In a complete 180, players have flocked to the self-proclaimed disc golf city - Emporia, KS. It’s home to Dynamic Discs’ headquarters and hosts this long-standing event at the town’s ball golf course.

But this isn’t the Emporia Country Club of years past. 3 months ago, Jeremy Rusco - DD Founder - purchased the property hoping to turn it into Emporia’s crown jewel worthy of pilgrimage.

And while the name is now Champions Landing, the iconic course remains mostly unchanged. Besides minor tweaks and added OB, the biggest changes are on holes 16 & 18.

Hole 16: The iconic island’s drop zone has moved. Before, players had to putt across the water, but now the DZ is on the island facing the water. It’s a higher pressure putt than before.

Old DZ, 2021 DDO (JomezPro)

Hole 18: It has a new island green and comes with the rule, “Disc must come to rest on the island before proceeding to the island green.” A Tin Cup moment or a clutch eagle is now on the table.

@CourseMaps

LAST YEAR RECAP

MPO/ With uncharacteristic 0 mph wind, the course played soft, and it was Parker Welck who beat all odds becoming the underdog of the year. For the 25-year-old, this win catapulted him up the rankings and made him a household name.

FPO/ In the scoreable conditions, there was minimal separation between the 3 biggest arms. The difference maker was hole 16’s island where King parked it in the playoff to become a 2x DDO champ.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

After last week’s struggle bus, DDO caps off the 4th stop in a row before an off-week then the West Coast Swing. And for almost all the Europeans, it’s the perfect time to go home.

The Finns and Estonians in both divisions are across the pond after a 9-week leg in the US. They’re taking a break, which means it’s time for the Americans to step up.

While it’d be a Cinderella story if Welck could defend his title, I’ve got my eye on Aaron Gossage, Ezra Aderhold, & Chris Dickerson. Gossage has a history here and is trending up after this crazy stat.

Dickerson currently holds the 2nd longest active MPO top-10 streak at 5, and this is his last event before skipping the West Coast. Aderhold shot the most impressive course record at Northwood and now gets to stretch his distance.

Get ready to watch pros let loose on discs starting tomorrow. Big Jerm and Sarah Hokom will join Ian Anderson in the live booth.

POWERED BY INFINITE DISCS
Real Flight Numbers

Everyone knows that those 4 little numbers on the stamp mean something. But every manufacturer treats them differently enough to warrant phrases like, “It’s more of a fade 2 instead of 3” or “It’s a speed 13 but feels like a 12.”

Infinite Discs understands this and makes it easier by providing both manufacturer AND reviewer fight numbers. Every listing has aggregated numbers that accurately define a disc’s characteristics.

You can even go further by filtering reviewers by skill level and seeing their thoughts. Shop better with Infinite Discs!

QUICK HITS
Random Dubs

1️⃣ 8 years, 1 month, and 4 days ago, David Wiggins Jr. broke the World Distance Record when he threw a 154g Boss 1,108.92 ft. It was on the 3rd and final day of the High Desert Distance Challenge where winds whipped up to 42 mph.

2 days ago, the We Make Machines channel posted their successful attempt at breaking his record. They built a disc launcher that reached over 150 mph.

Using a Nuke OS at an extreme hyzer angle, they hit 1,393 ft in a slight tailwind. 

Now that they’ve discovered the upper limit, they can tune it to more human levels. We’re one more step closer to more accurate flight numbers.

2️⃣ After overcoming 4 rounds at Northwood, Andrew Presnell took on the 4 podcast gauntlet. If you haven’t already, listen to just one cause they were mostly the same.

After going through them, one detail stood out. On The Upshot, Presnell mentioned that he threw a Drone off the tee 8 times each round.

It’s his favorite mold, and he bags 4 of them. Of the 4, his latest workhorse was bought for $10 at the Music City Open. Presnell won a Major relying on a new-to-his-bag used disc.

Don’t sleep on used discs. 

Meme of the Week

Thanks for reading today. Get out and be a discman this weekend!

- Charlie

A review of The Meeting…

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. Your secret weapon to staying updated on disc golf.

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TOUR COVERAGE
Champions Cup (Major)

RESULTS - 🏆ANDREW PRESNELL & EVELIINA SALONEN

Months ago, the PDGA made Northwood Park the one-time host of its springtime Major. This last-minute switch made for historic conditions, golf, and winners.

In no particular order, here are the storylines you should remember or may have missed:

HIGHLIGHT

There were 3 aces over the weekend with 2 caught on camera. Both were in the final round. Both were flex shots. And both were from Clash players.

Heidi Laine hit Hole 11 at 260’, and Evan Smith hit Hole 17 at 320’.

@DGPT

@DGPT

POWERED BY INFINITE DISCS
Fresh Plastic

♾️ Infinite’s Highlight: Discraft Drive (11|5|-1|2)
Last Friday, the Paige Pierce lineup filled in its driver slot with a long-awaited 11-speed.

For Pierce herself, this disc has been a staple in her bag through her ankle recovery. For everyone else, it’s probably the most usable driver in Discraft’s lineup.

Average arms will find the Drive straight with some ending finish, while big arms will get the perfect s-turn out of it. It slots right between a Zeus and a Scorch/Surge SS.

If you’re a Discraft fanboy, then trade away your Innova Wraiths and Latitude Graces. Grab the only distance driver you’ll ever need at Infinite Discs!

QUICK HITS
Random Dubs

1️⃣ One thousand miles away from Champions Cup, Simon Lizotte was enjoying the coverage live from a hospital room. On Thursday (4/25), his daughter Mia was born.

As of now, he plans to be back on Tour in 4 weeks for the Portland Open. But he also said plans can change, and I wouldn’t put it past him to enjoy a few more weeks at home.

From the Fish Golf Brah-dcast, here’s a Simon fun fact: He cashed in a YouTube check of $25k after one vlogmas. Spring has finally sprung in his part of New England, so I doubt he’s itching to leave home ASAP.

2️⃣ And just like that, cicadas have started to emerge in the US starting with parts of South Carolina. We’re in for double broods this year, but as a disc golfer, those noisemakers are the least of my concerns.

Tick season is in full swing. And based on your location, there may be an abundant amount of Lyme disease-carrying ticks.

Distribution of Lyme Disease Ticks (u/Bertoto679)

But besides protecting yourself with appropriate attire and sprays, the best thing you can do is to check yourself after rounds. Even if you bring home a bloodsucker, you’re most likely unaffected as long as you get it off within 24 hours.

Tweet of the Week

Thanks for reading today. Get out and win this week!

- Charlie

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The only newsletter where the NBA & NHL playoffs take a backseat to a Major this weekend.

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TOUR COVERAGE
Champions Cup (Major)

2019 Worlds in Peoria (@pdga)

PREVIEW (4/25-28)

It’s officially time for the 1st Major of the season (2nd for FPO). Due to a beetle infestation, this spring-time Major will be temporarily held in Peoria, IL instead of the usual International Disc Golf Center in Appling, GA.

Starting today, the pros will face the monstrosity that is Northwood for 4 straight rounds. To add more grassy fairways and accommodate spectators, this course will be a hybrid of 14 holes from the normal Black layout with 4 holes pulled from 2019 Worlds’ Gold layout.

But no matter the changes, this is still the Northwood that is considered the hardest on Tour. It’ll feature the infamous Hole 12 which is considered by many to be a true par 6.

And to add to the difficulty, it’s currently rain and thunderstorm season. With the soupy and extremely wooded fairways, this will be the greatest test all year.

From the comfort of your couch, enjoy the chaos as we crown 2 Major champions. Welcome to the grind.

@isaacwrdg_19

LAST YEAR RECAP

MPO/ With his dad on the bag and his friends cheering him on, this was a homecoming victory for Isaac Robinson. He played unconscious in the IDGC woods with no one standing in the way for his 1st Major.

FPO/ Unmatched in every category, it was pure domination for Kristin Tattar. She broke all sorts of records like hitting a 74-straight bogey-free streak, having the largest margin of victory at an FPO Major, and winning back-to-back Majors by 8+.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

With this being the biggest event so far, there are many storylines to follow. These are what will grab my attention this weekend:

• Barring a complete meltdown, Tattar will eclipse the 1000 rating come May 14th. Will she win her 1st Major of the year just in time for her month-long break?

• Will Big Money Missy show up to win her 2nd Major? She skipped MCO and has been practicing since last week.

• Can Isaac Robinson get out of his funk and jumpstart his season?

• Will AB’s love for this course and his hot start be enough to earn his 1st Major?

• How will Eagle McMahon compare to the field post-surgery?

• Can Calvin “No FH” Heimburg get his 1st Major at a course that he holds the -9 record at?

• Will Ricky Wysocki end his 7-year Major drought at a course he statistically plays better than anyone else at?

• Will Brodie Smith somehow pop off after taking 2 events off to recommit to disc golf?

• Is Paul McBeth actually back in form just in time for an event that he holds in such high regard?

Live starts today. If you’re an active PDGA member, then you get DGN coverage for free all weekend. Click here for details.

POLL
Question of the Week

There are few good things in life: Tax refunds, cold beer, and throwing 2 off the first. To all of you reading, that phrase means much more than to any non-disc golfer.

And until recently, I didn’t realize different regions have different versions of that phrase. In ball golf, it’s typically called a Breakfast Ball and in the North East it can be referred to as a “funsie.”

This revelation is thanks to the latest disc golf podcast called “Funsie” hosted by J-Milly, Ben Kenney, and Nathan Sajk. A funsie is any time you throw additional shots that don’t count typically in a casual round. 

So that got me thinking… What other regional disc golf terms exist? 

Hit reply and send me any weird nomenclature you know of and where it’s from.

POWERED BY INFINITE DISCS
Spin to Win like Lizotte

Since its release, Simon Lizotte’s Pixel putter has been at the top of the best-selling chart for months. It sells itself and truly needs no ad, but the man himself proved its greatness just days ago.

Lizotte describes the mold as a mash-up of every putter he’s used in his career. The Pixel is MVP’s take on the P2, P1, & P1x combined.

While it’s been love at 1st touch for him, Lizotte did have one warning with the putter: It’s touchy in the wind due to its deeper profile and glide.

Regardless, if you want to float it in effortlessly then you need to switch over to the Axiom Simon Line Pixel (2|4|0|0.5). Infinite Discs just added a ton of discounted misprints.

QUICK HITS
Random Dubs

1️⃣ What’s the most unfortunate series of events that has happened to you at a tournament? I bet Ezra Robinson has you beat.

During Drew Gibson’s practice round with Isaac Robinson, the defending Champ Cup & Worlds champion shared his brother’s story.

• Years ago, they played in a C-Tier with their dad

• Somehow, the 3 of them were put on the same card

• At one point, Isaac called Ezra on a foot fault and their dad seconded it

• Their dad then jotted down Ezra’s score wrong

• After the round and scores submission, Ezra got triple penalized thanks to his family

• He missed cash by 1

In his career, that was the only time Isaac’s ever called a foot fault. Looking back on it, they find it hilarious although I’m sure Ezra always has a watchful eye on Isaac’s feet.

2️⃣ Even if they won’t admit it, everyone cares about their PDGA rating. Despite its minor flaws and regional inflation, it’s been the one metric you can use to compare yourself against others.

But thanks to PDGA Europe’s latest partner - Global Disc Golf - there could be another way. They’ve created a ready-made course design that can be applied to any football pitch (soccer for us Americans).

@globaldiscgolf

Hole 1, Par 4

With their global scorecard, you can compete against others around the world on even ground. Not only that, but this project allows for more opportunities for disc golf to thrive in areas where courses aren’t available.

Visit their site for more details to play against anyone on any field around the world.

Meme of the Week

I feel attacked (@slipperysaucersdiscgolf)

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw discs this weekend!

- Charlie