PDGA News and Updates
Please check back here often as we begin to update and archive some of the older front page articles and tidbits.
Save The Island!
Since 1991, Southeast Texas has had the privilege of enjoying the Barry’s Treasure Disc Golf Course on Pleasure Island. Pleasure Island was the home of 4 such courses at one time, and was the host of successive Disc Golf World Championships in 1994 and 1995. Barry’s Treasure is the sole survivor of those 4 World Championship courses, and as the name implies, is a true treasure to the disc golf community, both local and nationwide.
However, Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in an effort to develop the area, the Port Arthur City Council voted in favor of demolishing the park to make way for a 19 acre RV Park. The initiative is being spearheaded by Motiva Enterprises, with the intention that the park be used as temporary housing for their contracted laborers while working a massive construction project. They plan to destroy the most beautiful landscape of the entire island to set up what amounts to a laborer’s camp.
Read More and Sign the Petition Here!
Dave Feldberg on Conan O'Brien Show this Thursday!
We can see similarities between Feldberg and Conan, but Finland’s President Tarja Halonen might be a stretch. NBC
Hot off his win at the Hall of Fame Classic at the International Disc Golf Center, David Feldberg is to appear on the "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" show this Thursday night, May 3rd. Please tune in to the episode and show your support for disc golf and the 50th anniversary of the Frisbee!
Click here to go to the Late Night website. (external link)
Dave Feldberg Captures Hall of Fame Classic at New IDGC; Des Keeps Rolling
Dave Feldberg outlasted the competition on the IDGC courses with smooth tee shots and focused putts. (Photo: M.Gillis/PDGA)
If the inaugural event at the International Disc Golf Center in Appling Georgia is any indication of what we can expect from the PDGA National Tour for the rest of the season, then hold on to your seats.
More Here courtesy of pdgatour.com!
2007 Bowling Green Amateur Championships - 719 Players!
Over 700 PDGA members converged on Kentucky the last weekend in March with the goal of becoming a 2007 Bowling Green Amateur Champion. Although only 10 champions were crowned, every participant can boast that he or she was a part of disc golf history. Larry Bledsoe and the Bowling Green Disc Golf Club hosted the most amateur players (719 golfers) ever at a PDGA event.
Read More about this awesome event here!
New PDGA Executive Director!
The Board of Directors of the Professional Disc Golf Association is pleased to announce the selection of Brian Graham of Augusta, Georgia as the new Executive Director for the organization. The selection was made as a result of a nation-wide search process, which began in November of 2006. Candidates from both inside disc sports and from other fields were considered. That process was necessitated by the resignation of Brian Hoeniger, who has served the PDGA since 1996. A transition period of eight weeks has been scheduled as Mr. Graham will be starting work on April 2, 2007 and Hoeniger will be stepping down on May 31. Graham will be formally introduced as the new Executive Director at the Grand Opening and building dedication of the International Disc Golf Center in Appling, Georgia, which will be on April 20, 2007. One of Graham’s early responsibilities will be the selection of a new PDGA Memberships Manager as Lorrie Gibson will also be departing her position on the same schedule as her husband Brian Hoeniger, the current Executive Director.
Brian Graham brings a wide range of organizational experience and success to the PDGA position. Most recently he served as the Tournament Director for the 2006 PDGA World Championships, held in Augusta. He also has been a pivotal figure in the establishment of the International Disc Golf Center. He has been named the PDGA Volunteer of the Year and Tournament Director of the Year. His disc golf and sports association experience is extensive. More Here.
2007 PDGA Tour Off To a Hot Start
The total number of US events for January is almost identical to 2006 but the attendance at these early events has been nothing short of impressive.
The Poison Ivy Open in Grapevine, Texas decided to split the event into two days for the first time and received a record attendance of 198 players. The Savannah Open held in historic and beautiful Savannah, Georgia sold out at 90 players in addition to a large list of players hoping for last minute cancellations. It wasn’t only the warm weather climates that have experienced early season success either. The New Year Open held at Hudson Mills in Dexter, MI had 128 competitors which is pretty good for an event with sleet and snow in the second round!
All this early season activity is exciting and one can only wonder if players are busy preparing for the first National Tour event of the season – The Memorial presented by Discraft. Registration for this event has already closed and players who waited too long are crossing their fingers hoping for one of the last remaining spots. Early March is a perfect time to visit Scottsdale, obtain temporary relief from the cold weather, and catch up with 400 of your closest disc golf friends.
If you can’t make it to The Memorial there are an abundance of other large, quality events scheduled for the rest of the year. Some highlights include the following:
- The Hall of Fame Classic on April 20th to 22nd in Columbia County, Georgia. Don’t miss this event and the official grand opening of the International Disc Golf Center.
- The Amateur World Championship on July 24th to 28th in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- The Professional World Championships on August 1st to 5th in Highbridge, Wisconsin.
- The European Open on August 24th to 26th in Tampere, Finland. The EO returns for its sophomore year and promises to improve on an already popular, successful, and professionally run event.
- The United States Disc Golf Championship on October 3rd to 6th in Rock Hill, SC. The USDGC enters it ninth year and continues to be one of the best tournament in the history of disc golf.
2006 Worlds DVD Now Available!
Here’s your chance to relive the action! The PDGA is pleased to present the 2006 PDGA Pro Worlds DVD. Catch all the action and the beautiful courses as the Worlds come to beautiful Augusta, Georgia.
Filmed and produced by Media Active Inc, this 90 minute DVD features interviews with the top players, tips from the pros and detailed descriptions of the courses. Based on initial reviews, some have claimed that this may be the best World’s video yet! Find out by ordering your very own here, at the PDGA store.
Click on the picture above for a short trailer. Click below for other viewing options!
2006 USWDGC
The Peoria Frisbee Club continues to rule the women’s circuit. This weekend 78 women showed up in Peoria, Illinois for the United States Women’s Disc Golf Championships. The event has seen steady growth through out the years and this year was no exception. 22 different states were represented along with 3 players from Canada. Like in previous years, there was no shortage of entertainment, fun, and camaraderie. More here!
Complete results here.
Visit the tournament website here.
2006 USADGC
Mills had a one throw lead going into the final round of competition at the Kensington Toboggan course in Milford, MI. With two holes to go, Michigan's Daemon Stahlin held a two throw lead over Mills, but gave them back on the rough and tough hole 17. The two were tied at -9 after regulation, and went to a playoff. Stahlin's drive landed 90 feet from the basket, and he chose to lay up. Mills was about 40 out when he hit the jump putt for the victory.
Visit the tournament website here.
2006 European Open
The 2006 European Open - the first PDGA Tour Major in Europe, was recently held in Tampere, Finland. Hosted by Jussi Meresmaa, family and friends, the event drew 117 pro players from 11 European countries, Japan, Canada, and the USA including 6 Touring Pros. Following Team USA's victory over Team Europe in the President's Cup, the singles action on the par 61 2190 meter / 7225' Epila DG Course was hot, as Europe's top players battled the Tour-ists for a purse of €15100 = $19,000+. More Here!
For more information on the week's festivities please visit The European Open Website!
Women lead Team USA to Victory at the Inaugural Presidents Cup in Finland
Team USA celebrates upon winning the President's Cup
Led by Valarie Jenkins and Carrie Burl Berlogar, who together took the maximum 12 points available in Women's play, Team USA defeated Team Europe by 24 1/2 pts to 14 1/2 pts this afternoon in Tampere Finland, to win the Presidents Cup Trophy, the champagne, and the bragging rights. Featuring 6 player teams, 9 holes of regular singles play (total score), and 9 holes of match play, this one round intense event was watched by more than 250 spectators at the Epila Disc Golf Course. Other highlights included Jesper Lundmark's 85' bullet putt to save par on Hole 17 during match play which remarkably shut 12 time World Champ Ken Climo out of the day's points. Tomorrow the European Open - the 1st PDGA Tour Major in Europe - tees off with the 1st of 4 rounds to be played by competitors from 14 countries, and 600 school kids in attendance.
The PDGA Hits 10,000 Current Members!
Ten years ago, at the end of 1996 the PDGA had 3,904 current members. As of July 20, 2006 we had 10,153 current members. On average, the PDGA has grown by over 10.5% each year, representing the increased popularity of the sport, further development of courses throughout the country, increased benefits added to PDGA members and growth of the PDGA tour.
The PDGA would like to thank everyone who has contributed to these numbers. Whether you’re a volunteer in one of the many PDGA positions, a tournament player or simply a casual player who helps bring more golfers out to the course, your efforts in expanding the sport are having concrete results. Keep up the good work!
In order to recognize this special designation, the PDGA got in touch with our 10,000th current member Paul Kozlowitz from Missoula, Montana and asked him a few questions. Click here for the interview.
The Japan Open Chronicles is now live and will be providing updates, commentary, reports, photos, audio snippets, videos, and more from the Nasu Highlands Golf Club in Tochigi, Japan, home of the 14th Japan Open. The chronicles will offer a feature that will allow anyone to send fan mail and messages to Japan Open competitors. Tell your family and friends to stay tuned for all Japan Open updates.
Good luck to all competitors!
PDGA World Player Ranking System
PDGA Player Ratings indicate how well players have been playing on their PDGA event courses. And this ratings system works all over the world. The new PDGA World Player Ranking System blends PDGA Player Ratings with finish positions in a few major events where head-to-head competition plays more of a role in the rankings. To date, just a few events bring together the top men and women from around the world in direct competition. As more sponsorship money is generated and more countries produce players at a high level, there will be more events where top players from many countries compete. As this happens, the World Rankings will shift to using more and more event results in the calculations rather than relying primarily on player ratings. More here!
Proposed Revisions to the PDGA Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
The annual ballot that is about to be distributed includes proposed changes to the organization's legal documents. Here are links to the new and existing documents. A cover letter explaining the changes is also provided and copied below. The board is recommending that these changes be approved by the members.
Check out the old and the new here!
Timmy Gill and Disc Golf TV on ESPN!
Earlier this week professional disc golfer Timmy Gill appeared on ESPN2’s Cold Pizza show promoting the sport, the PDGA Tour, and his new venture, Disc Golf TV. It was an excellent piece which is sure to create more excitement for the sport.
Congratulations, Timmy!
To view a clip of the show, please visit discgolftv.com and click on “Newest Videos”
The Player’s Cup – A PDGA Tour Major!
The PDGA, in association with Discraft, Sun King Discs, and the Plantation Inn, is pleased to announce the Player’s Cup as a 2006 PDGA Tour Major.
The Tour Major designation recognizes the top echelon of disc golf events, including World, United States, international and other preeminent Championship events. These events lead in terms of payout, courses, and player amenities. Due to the significant success of the inaugural Player’s Cup in 2005, the PDGA and the event organizers have agreed it merits this preeminent status.
PDGA Tour players can look forward to the 2006 Player’s Cup, knowing it will be a superbly run event, catering to the player’s experience with exciting play, and top-notch accommodations. Stay tuned to pdga.com for more news as it become available.
Visit the 2006 Player’s Cup Website here!
21st Dogwood Crosstown Classic Wrap Up
By: Robert J. Leonard, #21676
In a field that included three former World Champions, eleven players rated 1000 or higher, two Hall of Famers and a member of the PDGA Board, the Crosstown proved once again why it is a top event on the PDGA tour every year. Winning this tournament is something that Barry Schultz has never done, and he came to Raleigh to do just that. Just when Barry was about to finally rid the Crosstown monkey off his back, Justin Jernigan was there to put the monkey right back as he bested Schultz and Raleigh native Mike Hofmann by three throws to take home his first Supertour win.
For more, click here.
For Crosstown Introduction, click here.
Raleigh Area Disc League website.
Bowling Green - The largest weekend event ever!
By PDGA Marshal, Terry Miller
A record number 559 participants found their way to Kentucky this past weekend for the Bowling Green Amateur Championships. Many competitors bill this event as a ‘mini’ Am Worlds because of the variety of courses and enormous field sizes. 8 different pools made up the 10 divisions. Pools A, B, C, & D played courses at Hobson, Lovers Lane, White, and Kereiakes while pools E, F, G, and H played Griffin, Franklin, Miller, and Edmonson County.
For more, click here.
2005 Pro Worlds Video Now Available!
Here’s your chance to relive the action! The PDGA is pleased to present the 2005 PDGA Pro Worlds DVD. See the beautiful courses of the Lehigh Valley, the intense competition and camaraderie that was the 2005 Pro Worlds, showcasing disc golf at its finest.
Filmed and produced by Media Active Inc, this 90 minute DVD features interviews with the top players, tips from the pros and detailed descriptions of the courses. Based on initial reviews, some have claimed that this may be the best World’s video yet! Find out by ordering your very own here, at the PDGA store.
Click on the picture above for a short trailer. Click below for other viewing options!
NDGC North Course Sneak Peek!
Woo-hoo! We can finally throw a disc or two on the North Course at the National Disc Golf Center. Matt Gillis and I fired up the new PDGA chainsaw and went to work clearing the remaining small trees and brush on several fairways last week. By Saturday, we had lots of downed brush for the local club members to help drag to the burn piles. Local tree professional, Matt Stockton, arrived with a Bobcat that really saved lots of chainsaw time on hole 15.
Feldberg tops strong field at USDGC, earns National Tour title
Oregon’s Dave Feldberg capped off an impressive touring season with a win at the 2005 United States Disc Golf Championship held in Rock Hill, South Carolina, October 12-15. Facing 183 of the world’s finest disc golfers, and the rigorous challenges of the par 68 Winthrop Gold course, Feldberg kept his cool, and was the only competitor to shoot two rounds in the 50’s. Fighting to challenge Feldberg were Michigan’s Scott Martin, who finished second, Oklahoma’s Kevin McCoy and 2004 World Champion Barry Schultz from Wisconsin, both of whom finished tied for third. Dave takes home one of disc golf’s largest prizes, $11,000 for his efforts.
For official scores, go here.
For more information on the USDGC, go here.
Mr. Feldberg has played consistently this season, with two National Tour wins (Waco and the Brent Hambrick Memorial), and eight top ten finishes. Through these strong showings and his USDGC first place win, Dave edges out several qualified candidates to become the 2005 National Tour Champion. Congratulations Dave Feldberg, and to all the other competitors of this year’s PDGA National Tour. We look forward to a bigger and better year in 2006!
Final National Tour Standings:
Barry Schultz– 587.5
Ken Climo– 550
Steve Rico– 375
Brian Schweberger– 375
Nate Doss– 325
Kevin McCoy– 302.5
Alexsey Bubis– 292.5
Brad Hammock– 255
Scott Martin - 235
For more information on the PDGA National Tour, go here.
Women Have More Fun
Open women's champion Elaine King said she was excited to see a record turnout, media coverage, excellent payouts, and so many people giving the women's divisions the respect they deserve. She also proclaimed, "Women have more fun". If you attended the 2005 United States Women's Disc Golf Championships this year you would certainly agree with her. More here.
PDGA Set to Assist Hurricane Katrina Victims
Disc golfers everywhere are invited to help the PDGA contribute to the relief and recovery effort in the gulf coast states. Host a PDGA sanctioned event in support of Katrina victims and the PDGA will waive all sanctioning and insurance charges. All player fees received by the PDGA will be donated to the American Red Cross.
These events will be identifiable on the PDGA Tour calendar by “Katrina Relief” in the event name. For more information on running one of these special events click here.
Let’s do our part to help Katrina victims get back on their feet and reclaim their lives!
2005 PDGA Amateur & Junior Worlds Overwhelming Success in Flagstaff, Arizona
Undaunted by lightning, fog, rain and cool temperatures, hot play ruled at the 2005 PDGA Amateur/Junior Worlds in Flagstaff, AZ. Players ranged in age from 8 to 65 years, with 8 countries represented including 14 participants from Taiwan! With a grand total of 383 players, this huge event showcased the best of the up and comers in our sport today. Congratulations to all our champions:
Advanced – Jack Schmalfeld #25378
Advanced Women - Staci Pauly #22797
Advanced Masters - Mitch McMurtry #14477
Advanced Masters Women - De’Atra Edwards #18666
Advanced Grandmasters – Don Altmyer #5606
Advanced Grandmasters Women – Toni Hoyman #18823
Advanced Senior Grandmasters – John W. Ross #24330
Junior < 19 Boys – Linus Åström #26586
Junior < 19 Girls – Brianna Anderson-Gregg #25990
Junior < 16 Boys – Devan Owens #25168
Junior < 13 Boys – Marcus Ranii-Dropcho #20734
Junior < 10 Boys – David Wiggins #24437
Junior < 10 Girls – Elizabeth Lamont #22511
Congratulations to Mixed Doubles World Champions De’Atra Hunter and Matt Hall who won in a playoff over Jan and Brandy Smutz. Way to go!
Special thanks goes out to Tournament Director Dan Ginnelly and the event staff for welcoming us to Arizona, and for running this world-class event. Everything ran smoothly, and the competition was excellent.
For more information, visit the Am World's homepage here, and check out the results here.
Champions crowned following a tremendous week at the 2005 PDGA Pro Worlds
The 2005 PDGA Pro Worlds held July 25-30 in Allentown, PA, featured an array of amazing courses, a dedicated staff, and the best talent in disc golf today. A total of 301 competitors tested their skills and endurance during this week long showcase event. While many displayed proficiency and courage over the course of the tournament, only a select few earned the right to be called 2005 PDGA World Champion:
Male Pro Open - Nate Doss #11794
Female Pro Open - Des Reading #15863
Masters (+40) - Dean Tannock #4028
Masters Women (+40) - Anni Kreml #7879
Grandmasters (+50) - Dr. Rick Voakes #2632
Grandmasters Women (+50) - Alicia Relano #7921
Senior Grandmasters (+60) - Peter Shive #7240
Legends (+70) - Ted Williams #13080
Congratulations to all who participated in this spectacular event. Special thanks to Tournament Director John Duesler and the event staff for showing everyone a great time, and making the 2005 PDGA Pro Worlds an overwhelming success.
For more information, visit the Pro World's homepage here, and check out the current results and live scoring courtesy of the PDGA, here.
PDGA Course Evaluation Program Ready to Roll
As a result of many member suggestions, PDGA is introducing a rating system for disc golf courses. Similar to the ratings that are generated for hotels, restaurants and other facilities, these ratings are meant to provide detailed information for players and also help courses focus on ways to improve their facilities. This is not simply a rating of how difficult or well-designed a course may be. The scores are to reflect the overall appeal of the course, taking many factors into account. These ratings will be generated through the PDGA State and Provincial Coordinators. More here...
Use this article to promote disc golf to local parks; read it, too!
Earlier this year, an issue of the magazine that most parks and recreation supervisors read, Parks and Recreation magazine, published a very nice article titled "Disc golf can bring personal and community benefits to rural America," by Jason Siniscalchi. The PDGA has obtained approval to reproduce the article for educational purposes, so long as it is properly attributed.
You can download a PDF of it here. Please do. (large file, 5.18MB)
You can download a free version of Adobe Reader here. Please do.