🤝 Power to the players
The Nati, The Bag, and The Run
Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. We’re like your local pro who always brings up the time Wysocki came into town and shot the course record.
Email Read Time: 4 Minutes & 55 Seconds
If you missed the USWDGC recap, then I got you: A Weekend Full of Fireworks
Let’s get into it.
Players are “Marketing Machines”
Lots of differing opinions came out of US Women’s. Was the event well run by the PDGA? Are enough resources being invested to make events top tier?
Some nitpicked the shorter courses, older baskets, and minimalistic tee signs as shortcomings. While others praised this as the event we’ve been missing from Tour.
Regardless, the conversation always leads back to improving events for players’ benefit. After all, the pros are what keep us coming back week after week.
On the Chain Clankers podcast, Xander Kirby - owner of Beacon Sports Management - explained how he advocates for his numerous players. They’re constantly trying to balance traveling, staying healthy, performing on the course, and proving their value.
While some players can take a 2-month break, others are “just making it” every week. There’s a big valley between the top contracts and the middle of the pack.
He knows the sport needs more outside sponsors to increase player pay and improve the product that is the Tour. People like Xander or Blake Shaffer are attempting to change the landscape for our pros.
It still remains to be seen who will make true to their promise in this golden era of growth. Even the DGPT’s latest attempt with the Metaverse & NFTs doesn’t have some people convinced.
LWS Open @ Idlewild
PREVIEW (7/8-10)
Just outside Cincinnati, Idlewild sits waiting to be visited by touring pros and spectators on a humid, summer weekend. Thought to be one of the best events on Tour, the mix of open and wooded holes are a staple favorite for all.
Something magical happens when you step into these woods. The picturesque greens are covered in turf and framed with posts, while the tight tree-lined fairways cause bad decisions and mistakes.
MPO players are coming off a week spent relaxing, supporting their SOs, or competing at A-tiers. Meanwhile, FPO players have a quick turnaround from their Major.
There are some notable players not attending:
Calvin Heimburg, Kevin Jones, & Luke Humphries are traveling to Europe early to get a head start on the PCS Sula Open (7/13). Lots of pros are pulling double duty this weekend and losing practice for that event.
Eveliina Salonen & Henna Blomroos are back home in Finland taking time off until the European Open in 2 weeks. Idlewild will be the last big US event until DGLO at the Toboggan course (7/29).
LAST YEAR RECAP
MPO/ Expectations were exceeded last year. This course doesn’t create a ton of separation, so we nearly saw a 6-way tie at the end.
On lead card, Kyle Klein, Andrew Marwede, and Jones went into the final hole tied up. They knew a birdie on the hard Hole 18 would earn them a playoff spot or the win.
Jones was an inch away from causing a 3-way playoff. But it wasn’t meant to be, so the Michigan friends squared off.
Marwede was on fire nearly all tournament, being bogey-free for 52 straight holes. But he made one too many mistakes on the 2nd playoff hole and allowed Klein to take home his 1st & only DGPT win.
FPO/ It wasn’t as exciting for the FPO. Paige Pierce narrowly won with a bit of luck on her side.
Going into the final 2-hole gauntlet, she had 2 strokes over Gannon & Hokom. But you can never count on an easy walk-in victory at Idlewild.
On Hole 17, Pierce missed her line enough to slide past trees for a tap-in birdie. The rest was history, and she parred 18 to win her 4th Idlewild Open.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
3 returning players should be watched: Chris Dickerson, Paul Ulibarri, & Simon Lizotte.
Dickerson is back after a 10-week hiatus and hungry for competition.
Similarly timed, Uli has been recovering from injuries, but he’ll be back on the course and booth.
Lizotte will be competing here for the 1st time, maybe he can keep his hot streak alive.
You’ll be able to watch live all weekend on DGN. Or on next-day coverage from JomezPro, Gatekeeper Media, and GK Pro.
Tip of the Week
Holyn Handley & Brian Earhart - pros and respected coaches - both hit on FH upshots.
Handley wants you to take a step back from only using OS putters/mids. Usually you’ll grab your Get Freaky Zone after hitting 1st available, but it’s not always the right choice.
An understable disc will open up your options and remove some bad tendencies. Make sure you’re popping these discs out with lots of spin and controlled speed - like cracking a whip.
Handley demonstrates it perfectly while adding in a practice putting drill:
Random Dubs
1️⃣ On Tuesday, Drew Gibson announced his own mystery/subscription boxes, and it’s called “The Bag”. He’s created a $30 monthly box potentially filled with limited discs, coupon codes to unnamed sponsors, Discraft baskets, and Squatch Bags.
He even encourages collecting or flipping the products for profit. From what I can tell, the only catch is the “3-month minimum” and zero guarantees of your bag having a high-value item.
So if you’re the gambling type, whip out that wallet. Mine’s staying shut for now.
2️⃣ Once Gavin Babcock ended the drought, aces have been hit on OTB Tour Skins left and right. Babcock, Cole Redalen, and now Gannon Buhr all share in this accomplishment.
Weirdly enough, the trio is known to be close friends and has celebrated the cash won together. This time it’s only $1.5k but hitting your 1st ace ever on film is priceless.
Meme of the Week
Thanks for reading today. Get out and run it this weekend!
- Charlie
What'd you think of this today’s edition?