The PDGA is seeking clubs and individuals who wish to host a National Tour event in 2009. All applications must be received no later September 5th. Please see the following forms for more information:
Wyndham Hotel Group is offering discounts to our members!
Start saving now on rooms at over 6,400 participating hotels worldwide. As a member of the PDGA, you will receive an additional 10% off the “Best Available Rate” at participating locations every time you travel. By doing so, Wyndham Hotel Group will give a percentage back to the PDGA! Click here for details.
Vibram Open Results in Jenkins Sweep
Avery Jenkins had more to celebrate than his birthday this weekend as both he and his sister Valarie won the Open and Women’s division at the inaugural Vibram Open at Maple Hill. Will Avery and Val be able to repeat the sweep at the World Championships which starts in just two short weeks? Also celebrating a victory in the Grandmasters division was New England’s own Davis Johnson... (more)
Additional information and news can be found at the links below.
Beautiful weather returned to Skelleftea Sweden on Sunday for the final round of the Scandinavian Open and the sun was shining bright on hometown hero Jesper Lundmark. Lundmark carried a four stroke lead into the final 18 holes and played some of his most impressive golf... (more)
Additional information and news can be found at the links below.
Thunderstorms ruled the earlier part of the day for most of the third round of the Scandinavian Open but sunny skies eventually prevailed for the lead groups on the back nine during the third round of the Scandinavian Open in Skelleftea Sweden. The sizable gallery of spectators were not at all disappointed that they stayed to brave the weather as some fantastic shot making... (more)
Stay tuned to PDGA.com for daily photo galleries and updates on the action. Additional information and news can be also be found at the tournament website.
Feldberg & Doss chase Lundmark
Going in today’s third round of the Scandinavian Open in Skelleftea Sweden, it looks to be a three man race for the European major title. First round leader, Jesper Lundmark played another solid round of golf on his home course to card a -8 on the day to put him at -19 for the tournament and two strokes clear of second place... (more)
Stay tuned to PDGA.com for daily photo galleries and updates on the action. Additional information and news can be also be found at the tournament website.
Lundmark & Jenkins lead in Sweden
Skelleftea Sweden’s, Jesper Lundmark and current women’s world champion, Val Jenkins played some fantastic golf and took advantage of better weather earlier in the day to jump out to the first round lead in their respective divisions in the 2008 Scandinavian Open... (more)
Stay tuned to PDGA.com for daily photo galleries and updates on the action. Additional information and news can be also be found at the tournament website.
Scandinavian Open Underway!
The first round of the PDGA European Major kicked off this morning under partly sunny skies as players from eleven nations converged on Skelleftea Sweden for the 2008 Scandinavian Open. The event is hosted by the Skelleftea disc golf club at what may perhaps be one of the finest disc golf facilities in the world. (more)
Stay tuned to PDGA.com for daily photo galleries and updates on the action. Additional information and news can be also be found at the tournament website.
Local Hero Brad Schick Wins BHMO In a Thriller
After two weather delays Saturday afternoon, the competitors were greeted to light rain and cloudy skies to start the third round on Sunday morning.
At the end of third round there was a three way tie at the top in the Men’s Open division... (more)
Brent Hambrick Memorial Open Preview
The 12th Annual Brent Hambrick Memorial Open will be contested once again at the scenic Hoover Reservoir, in Columbus Ohio. 180 competitors will compete on the 27 hole Brent Hambrick Memorial course, as well as the temporary 18 Hole Discraft-Hoover West course. The BHMO is a National tour and an A-Tier PDGA event, as well as a stop on the Can Am series and a USDGC qualifier.
The Columbus Flyers Disc Golf club in concert with their gracious supporters, look to provide every competitor a weekend of great camaraderie and disc golf at its highest level. We have always tried to maintain the level of professionalism that was set by Brent in the early 90’s at some of his Columbus Open tournaments. (more)
PDGA Environmental Committee
The relationship that the sport of disc golf has with the environment is an integral part of the golfing experience and is the core reason we develop satisfaction from hucking formed plastic objects at high (and low) speeds into pre-determined targets. The setting and courses that we visit create the fundamental reasons why we play the sport of disc golf. Through the education, protection, and installation of new disc golf courses the PDGA Environmental Committee is positioned to help your course address the development questions that are sure to come up.
The PDGA Environmental Committee provides assistance in Education, Protection, Installation, Support, and Documentation for new and existing disc golf courses. This is our MISSION! (more)
Doss withstands last minute assault to win Golden State Classic
Hole 18 at La Mirada's championship course held the greatest drama of the weekend as Steve Rico placed his tee shot between the double mandatory trees at the top of the hill, while Nate Doss, leading by two, landed far below and far left. Doss' upshot was past Rico's by a few feet.
Steve set up for a 50 foot eagle attempt and although his putt was close and just inbounds it essentially sealed his fate. Nate completd the win by making his birdie putt. A solid handshake and respectful embrace between the two competitors ended the round, while the crowd applauded their efforts over the past three days in near oppressive heat. (more)
The day dawns in Southern California, clear and warm, with the potential of temperatures hitting over 110 today. Players in six pro divisions ready themselves for an attack on the long and difficult La Mirada course, as the 2008 version of the Golden State Classic National Tour event begins. Several of the throwers are recovering from jetlag, having endured 15 or more hour flights home from Japan, and others coming from PDGA Tour events around the country.
Some significant changes have been made in the tournament setup of the course, necessitated by the construction of a waterpark on one side of the park. While most of the traditional hole placements are consistent with previous years, a lengthening of holes 1 and 7 will put players to the test on the front nine and a challenging island green location on a newly designed hole 11 will test players’ mettle.
Innovation Grant Winners
The PDGA Innovation Grant Program was created to increase and promote the awareness of the sport of disc golf and the Professional Disc Golf Association. Applicants are encouraged to think outside of the box to develop innovative and unique programs which will promote the sport and increase participation. Twelve applications were received by the PDGA office prior to the June 1st deadline for consideration for the first five of these $500 grants to be awarded in 2008.
The recipients of the first five PDGA Innovation Grants and the names of the projects to be funded are available here
Stahlin Wins USADGC
It was tense under the tent at 7:30 on Friday morning, June 13, as Tournament Director Todd White and others watched two different websites' radar images of stormy weather swooping down on the Toboggan Course during the first day of the 2008 USADGC. White's judgment call was "Delay the start by one hour," and that worked fine.
The day finished warm and sunny, and Daemon Stahlin ended the weekend on Sunday by coming from the sixth card of the final round to a sudden death playoff with Mark Roberts. Roberts, who moved into the lead from the third card with a 56 in that final round, and Stahlin stayed neck and neck through holes 1, 17, 18, 1, and then 17 (down and up those toboggan slopes) at par.
Hole 18 is a 315' (plays like 410') severely uphill right-hand curve that tees off just behind a large pair of guardian trees that must be thrown through to have a shot at a birdie.. (more)
2008 Japan Open
Hero Disc Japan, in collaboration with Innova Champion Discs and Hero Disc USA, is pleased to announce a premier disc golf event; the 2008 Japan Open. From June 07–15, over 100 competitors from eleven different nations will be converging on the spectacular Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed course at the Nasu Highlands golf resort in Tochigi, Japan, about 180 kilometers northeast of Tokyo. At stake is a total of ¥4,000,000¥ in prize money (approximately $40,000US). (more)
Amidst the rain, Rico brings in sunshine from California.
Well the Kansas City Wide Open started off on Friday, and Thursday night provided rain and wind in excess of 50 mph, but when the sun rose on Friday, the ground was soggy, but Steve Rico’s game was hot! Steve Rico shot out in front at Water Works with a hot round (1052 rated) of 47, and would never look back. Steve would remain in the pole position the entire weekend, and when the day ended Sunday he would take home the hardware, and the lions share of the $16,000 pro purse.
Thankfully he brought that California sun with him, because with the weather coming in fast, about 2 hours after the event the sky opened and the deluge of rain hit, one can only wonder if he got on the plane home, and said, ok wash KC clean now folks, I have had my fun! (more)
The National Tour stops in Kansas City this weekend for the 26th Kansas City Wide Open. The Wide Open is the culmination of a great 4-week swing through the Midwest, with NT stops in Tulsa, Minnesota and Kansas City, and a SuperTour in Des Moines. The battles have been hard fought in each event, and the temperatures and disc golf are getting hotter as Kansas City welcomes what should be yet another fine weekend of disc golf.
The Wide Open has been symbolic with friendship, and lately initial NT wins for someone on the scene looking to crack that threshold. Last year saw Kyle Crabtree winning his first-ever NT event. Josh Anthon won the Wide Open in 2006 by Coda Hatfield missing some critical putts on the last hole. Josh would head to DGLO the next stop on the NT and win there as well! Chris Sprague won the event in 2005 for his first NT victory following his Top 10 finish in the Worlds in 2004, and 15th in the USDGC. ... (more)
PDGA Elections Now Underway!
The 2008 PDGA elections are now underway! Voting is not just a right of membership, it is a responsibility. Please take the time to cast your ballot for these very important positions as these are the folks who will be leading our association into the next phase of our growth.
A Board of Directors is a requirement for non-profit status and is mandated by the PDGA By-laws. The PDGA Board is comprised of 7 elected members each holding two-year terms. (more)
Schultz and Jenkins Win in Minnesota
The 21st Annual Minnesota Majestic wrapped on Sunday afternoon at the Hyland Ski and snowboard area with an estimated 1000 spectators in attendance. In the open division it was a heavy weight battle between Barry Schultz, David Feldberg, Cale Leiviska and Geoff Bennett. Bennett made a huge charge earlier in the day recording two aces to join the others in the showcase final 9. Valarie Jenkins, 2007 champion Des Reading and 2006 Champion Angela Tschiggfrie battled for the top spot in women's division.
The showcase finals had many big cheers from the loud and boisterous crowd and after the dust settled it was Barry Schultz winning by 1 over Feldberg in a hard fought battle. Schultz bagged $2500 for his victory. Valarie, in her first trip to Minnesota won by 4 over Des capturing $900.
Jim Hagen won the master Pro division over long time Minnesota master Gene LaForge. George Mnlyarczyk was the Grandmaster champ with Peter Shive winning the Senior Grandmaster.
Minnesota Majestic Returns to the National Tour
The weekend of May 30th, 31st and June 1st, The Minnesota Frisbee Association in its 33rd year will be hosting the 21st Minnesota Majestic Disc Golf Tournament brought to you by Summit Brewing. The Professional Disc Golf Association has rewarded the great success of the event with National Tour status, meaning it is one of 10 events chosen to showcase the world’s best players.
275 players from 20 or more states will compete for $30,000 in cash and prizes. The event has daily activities all week leading up to the tournament including clinics from top players. Competition begins Friday May 30th in East Bethel MN, at the Blue Ribbon Pines Disc Golf Club. Amateurs in the morning, professionals in the afternoon finishing with a long distance contest Friday evening. Play resumes Saturday at Kaposia Park in S. St. Paul at noon. Sunday is the final day of competition at the Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area in Bloomington. 8am tee time with a showcase final 9 for the top 4 men and top 3 women. A gallery of 500 to 1000 people is expected.
Jenkins and Reading Victorious at Greater Tulsa Open
The Greater Tulsa Open (GTO) brought in its first National Tour this past weekend. The event saw people from all over the country return to the Sooner State for some top caliber play within the Tulsa Zoo area known as Mohawk Park with two 18 hole courses. The courses had undergone so much work over the last couple of weeks in preparation that concern about the venue's top courses was weighing heavily on the staff heading into the Wednesday night before the event. Wayne Forrest tournament director, and countless volunteers made the best of the area as the destructiveness of the Ice Storms, and rains not seen in Oklahoma in close to a hundred years had flooded areas of the park that no one was aware of. This created new obstacles for the players to compete with and forced some shots that no one had anticipated.
Though Saturday saw lots of play from all divisions, when the dust finally settled in Oklahoma, Avery Jenkins had won the First National Tour in Oklahoma in the Open division, and his first NT victory of the year. Des Reading had managed to move into the sole position of first place on Sunday... (more)
This weekend marks the first National Tour event to be held in beautiful Tulsa Oklahoma. Tournament Director Wayne Forest has assembled a staff of old and new faces in order to fit the bill for what is shaping up to be quite a début.
Tulsa is a disc golf Mecca with twelve courses in roughly ten miles of the city. From short to long, open to tight, Tulsa has a selection that is sure to test your focus, skill, and endurance. (more)
The May 15th deadline for submitting your candidacy for the PDGA Board of Directors or State and Provincial coordinator positions is fast approaching. Member’s who are interested in volunteering their time to serve in one of these very important elected positions, are encouraged to contact the office as soon as possible to announce your candidacy and submit a platform statement.
Once again voting will take place from June 1 to July 31, with the elected candidates assuming office as of September 1. The 2008 PDGA Election will be held on-line, with members casting their ballots at www.vote-now.com. The first three on-line elections (2005-2007) saw record participation in terms of the % of current members voting.
During the first week of June all current members for whom the PDGA has an email address on file will receive an email from vote-now.com with their PDGA online election instructions including their individual ballot passcode. All members whose email bounces back or who do not have an email address on file, will be mailed a postcard by vote-now.com with their on-line ballot instructions and passcode. On or about July 10, all members with valid emails who have not yet voted will be sent a voting reminder. Those members who do not have any access to a computer or internet capability will also be able to contact the PDGA office and request a mailed paper ballot. Provided this request is received by the PDGA no later than July 10, a ballot will be mailed to the member.
Local favorites Carrie Burlogar and Nate Doss both had the edge going into Sunday’s final round. Both players held the lead in addition to their knowledge of the scenic and sometimes evil Delaveaga. But would those advantages be sufficient for the victory?
The 2008 PDGA National Tour rolls into Santa Cruz this weekend for the Steady Ed Memorial Masters Cup sponsored by the DGA. Over 150 players will be tested on the treacherous terrain of the Delaveaga Disc Golf course. Although a better name might be "the Good; the Bad; and the Ugly" - where a good drive or putt can catch a bad bounce and go bad in a hurry and sometimes get very ugly indeed.
With steep drop-offs, elevation changes, disc catching oak trees and a few baskets perched precariously close to OB, Delaveaga presents a challenge to the mental game as much as the physical. (more)
The PDGA Innovation Grant Program has been created to increase and promote the awareness of the sport of disc golf and the Professional Disc Golf Association. Applicants are encouraged to think outside of the box to develop innovative and unique programs which will promote the sport and increase participation.
After two rounds in the wind, driving rain, and temperatures in the low 40s, Barry Schultz saw his 5 throw lead whittled down to 1 throw after the second round over 2008 PDGA money leader Eric McCabe. After 2 holes in the 9-hole final at Lovers Lane, Schultz had gained 3 throws back on McCabe, and he gave himself some breathing room and cruised to a 4-throw victory. Schultz carded 5 birdies in the final nine holes. McCabe struggled on the first 2 holes in the finals, carding a par 3 on the first hole, and uncharacteristically 3-putting the second hole to make bogey. Otherwise, it was a solid performace by McCabe, who shot back-to-back 46s at Kereiakes and Lovers Lane on Sunday to climb within 1 throw before the finals. David Feldberg shot 46 at Kereiakes and 47 at Lovers on Sunday to nearly match McCabe's performance, and missed a 40-footer on the last hole to tie McCabe, and settled for a third place tie with road warrior Geoff Bennett from Michigan.
Val Jenkins threw an incredible 47 at Lovers Lane on Sunday, which at least temporarily gives her the second highest rated round ever by a woman at 1027. This gave her a 7-throw lead over Des Reading after round 3. But Reading came storming back in round 4 at Kereiakes... (more)
Bowling Green Open Preview
The second stop on the PDGA National Tour kicks off this weekend in Bowling Green, KY for the 2008 Bowling Green Open. Hosted by the Bowling Green Disc Golf Club, Scott McFarland, tournament director, and his hard working staff are anticipating another top notch event this year. Over 80 competitors have pre-registered as of Thursday morning. If you want to know who will be competing you can view the registration list here.
The format for this year’s event will have the competitors play one round each on four of the most challenging and popular courses in the Southeast - Lovers Lane, Ephram White, Hobson Grove and Kereiakes. (more)
2008 PDGA Elections
As summer draws near, its time to prepare for the annual PDGA elections, and to send out the call for candidates. Once again voting will take place from June 1 to July 31, with the elected candidates assuming office as of September 1. The 2008 PDGA Election will be held on-line, with members casting their ballots at www.vote-now.com. The first three on-line elections (2005-2007) saw record participation in terms of the % of current members voting.
During the first week of June all current members for whom the PDGA has an email address on file will receive an email from vote-now.com with their PDGA online election instructions including their individual ballot passcode. All members whose email bounces back or who do not have an email address on file, will be mailed a postcard by vote-now.com with their on-line ballot instructions and passcode. On or about July 10, all members with valid emails who have not yet voted will be sent a voting reminder. Those members who do not have any access to a computer or internet capability will also be able to contact the PDGA office and request a mailed paper ballot. Provided this request is received by the PDGA no later than July 10, a ballot will be mailed to the member.
The world’s largest amateur disc golf tournament will tee off on Saturday morning as 720 amateur disc golfers converge on central Kentucky for the 2008 Bowling Green Amateur Championships. Tournament director, Ernie Small, and his hard working staff will be on hand Friday from 3:00pm to 6:30pm to extend a warm welcome and a generous player’s package to all of the competitors as they check in prior to the 7:00pm mandatory players meeting at Phil Moore Park.
The format for this year’s event will have each division play four rounds of eighteen holes on four of the eight different courses being used in the tournament. A shuffle after the first 36 holes will reassign players... (more)
The PDGA wishes to welcome Microtel Inns & Suites back as the title sponsor for the 2008 Disc Golfer of Distinction Awards. The PDGA and Microtel are now enjoying their second year together in a relationship that has benefited our sport with recognition of our top volunteers as well as reduced lodging rates for many tournaments around the nation. If you need a host hotel for your tournament, or just a great value when traveling with your family, Microtel Inns & Suites is the way to go!
For complete program details click on the logo above or visit www.pdga.com/dgawards.
World Rankings Update for 2008
The races to stay on top of the world has gotten tighter for both men and women to kick off the first PDGA World Rankings in 2008. Ken Climo holds on to number 1 with a whisker thin 0.04 points less than David Feldberg after (more)
David Feldberg & Valarie Jenkins win the Memorial
For the second day in a row, Barry Schultz carded a spectacular hole-in-one at the Memorial to grab the lead from Dave Feldberg in the Men’s Open division in the final round. His ace on the 340 foot, hole 11 looked to be just the shot of adrenaline he needed and that he would ride the momentum to victory, however Feldberg refused to give up.... (More)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is once again offering a 10% discount for PDGA members. They were extremely grateful for our business in 2007 that they were eager to provide service to us again for 2008. www.enterprise.com The corporate rate code is: 17D7907
We are in the process of redesigning our website. Look for new changes to www.pdga.com within the next few months. Included in the new look will be a “Members Benefits” page. We will be working to obtain more discounts for our members and these will be posted on this page. Watch for details. In the meantime, a list of all discounts is available in the PDGA Announcements section of the DISC-ussion Board.
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