Officially kicking off on Wednesday, August 30, 295 of the best players in the world return to Smuggs, five years after the beloved venue hosted its first PDGA Pro Worlds, and it's bigger than ever.
After this weekend’s Disc Golf Pro Tour Playoff – Green Mountain Championship, the next time that the sport’s elite step onto the incredible property at Smugglers’ Notch, it will be to compete in the 2023 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships.
A beloved and anticipated stop on the Elite Series year-in and year-out, Smuggs, as it’s often referred, will play host to Pro Worlds for the first time since 2018.
Pro Worlds is set for Labor Day 2023, running from August 30 through Sunday, September 3.
2022 PDGA Pro Worlds TD Doug Bjerkaas and Shawn Sinclair of the PDGA speak during a recent PDGA visit to Emporia, Kansas. Photo: PDGA
Doug Bjerkaas used words like agile, receptive, and dynamic to describe the ongoing preparation for the return of a PDGA Major to Emporia, Kansas.
Just over eight months away, Bjerkaas and his team are feeling the responsibility that comes with serving as hosts of the 2022 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championship and it’s a task that they’re not taking lightly.
Hailey King tees off at Smugglers' Notch, which will host the 2023 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. Photo: DGPT
PDGA Major Events are the premier national and international competitions for the sport of disc golf each year, featuring the world’s best disc golfers competing for World and National Titles in multiple skill, age, and gender-based divisions. These PDGA marquee events offer any city or town the chance to host an international sporting event in their community, drawing interest and attention to the location, and generating a significant economic impact for local businesses.
James Conrad throws what would become one of the most famous throws in disc golf at the 2021 PDGA Pro World Championship. Photo: Kevin Huver / PDGA
(This interview first appeared in the Fall 2021 issue of DiscGolfer Magazine)
There was a moment before James Conrad threw one of the most iconic shots in disc golf history, a moment when time stood still. You could read the focus on his face. There was no doubt as he lined up his shot: this wasn’t going to be a lay up.
After all, laying up isn’t really a James Conrad move.
Whether it’s with friends, disc golf, juggling or his hair, chances are strong he is going all in.
“Hard work, determination, never giving up, no matter what was thrown my way the past couple of years,” Allen said, emotion showing and rightfully so. “The amount of support I have right now is incredible.”
