US Masters Celebrates Memory of Selinske, Growth of Disc Golf

by Dr. John G. Duesler, Jr.

As friends and family from the entire disc golf community gather at the International Disc Golf Center in Appling, Georgia this weekend, the mood can only be described as bitter-sweet.  Bitter because of last year's loss of Tim Selinske, one of disc golf's founders, yet sweet because Tim also left a fertile legacy of success behind; a legacy upon which the disc golf community is building tremendous success.

The 2010 Tim Selinske US Masters Championship will be held this weekend at the International Disc Golf Center in Appling, Georgia.  More than 150 of the most recognized "over-40" competitors in our sport will gather to celebrate our great game, as well as the abundant contributions of Tim Selinkse, who died last year on August 14th after a prolonged and rare illness.  Tim will surely be smiling down with his trademark grin on this weekend's gathering, that will include many of his long-time friends in the disc golf world.

Bringing this important disc golf event to the headquarters for the Professional Disc Golf Association in Georgia from its previous venue in California marks a new era in the US Masters, which is an event Selinske played a major role in developing.  By using the facilities anchored by our governing body, the US Masters is essentially being recognized as a tournament that our entire disc golf community should follow and respect, even with the age-restriction of 40 years and older.  With the leadership of the PDGA behind this year's event, the future is bright for the Tim Selinske United States Masters.  The PDGA Board of Directors will entertain bids from around the country to determine the venue for this tournament for the next two years.  The plan is for the spirit and memory of Tim Selinske to be spread throughout the country, as the United States Masters is held annually at rotating venues for the foreseeable future.

This year's event, however, has wrought a star-studded field of disc golfers that will capture the competitive spirit of our players, in addition to the camaraderie of the weekend.  Especially noteworthy will be the appearance of Ken Climo, Barry Schultz, and Jay Reading, all of whom are usually found in the Open division throughout the PDGA National Tour.  This will make the Masters division, perhaps the most competitive field ever assembled in this division.  Additionally, no less than eight PDGA Hall of Fame members will be in this field, demonstrating the tremendous respect our entire disc golf community has for Selinske's contributions.

You can follow all the action throughout the Tim Selinske US Masters Championship on www.pdga.com.