🏟️ Don't talk about playoffs
Glow Season, Massive Regret, and New Ventures
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Let’s get into it.
The Points Don’t Matter?
Currently, the state of professional disc golf is revolving around the word “playoffs.” It’s everywhere… Playoff events, standings, podcasts, memes, etc. But why should we care?
In fact, the media’s talking heads could care less. GMC was the 1st ever DGPT playoff, and that word made “no difference whatsoever.” It played out like every other event with the best of the best competing.
And some of the pros aren’t happy either. They work all season to rack up points and qualify for playoffs. But when they showed up at Smugglers’ Notch resort, they’re rewarded with a tight cash line.
One of FPO’s greats - Catrina Allen - had an off week, and her 11-year cash streak came to an end. This weekend’s field is even smaller, and so will the cut line for Championship Sunday.
The generated drama creates storylines for the big names who don’t perform. But it could impact those at the bottom without big contracts even more.
With it already over for some, the 2022 season is quickly coming to an end. MVP Open could make all the difference, so let’s see how it plays out.
MVP Open
PREVIEW (9/22-25)
Break out your pumpkin spice and glow discs, cause it’s the first day of fall and the MVP Open. The Tour spoils us with another 4-day event at the #1 course in the world - Maple Hill.
With 6 layouts, a pro shop, 4 water carries, and top-of-the-worlds that are signature holes anywhere else, Maple Hill is THE destination course. Littered with Christmas trees, it’s unique variation of open and wooded holes is a dream come true.
With the fields limited to 88 MPO and 44 FPO, this is the last event players can improve their standings going into the DGPT Championship (10/13).
Set time aside to watch the spectacle this weekend. There’s only 2 more events before off-season.
LAST YEAR RECAP
MPO/ Going into the 3rd and final round, Eagle McMahon sat dangerously in the lead with 4 strokes over Adam Hammes & Joel Freeman. He was in prime health and continuing his great 2021 season already filled with 4 DGPT wins.
But something was off that day, and Hammes chipped away at McMahon’s lead. He passed McMahon by hole 6, showed some nerves, but clutched up against a charging chase card Wysocki.
Finishing with a -9 (1079 rated), Hammes won his 1st Pro Tour event capping off a great season filled with potential.
FPO/ This was the 2nd time Maple Hill’s new Diamond layout was used on Tour. Scoring par was good, so after Day 2 Catrina Allen led with a -3 (1006 rated) over Kona Panis 2 strokes back.
Allen would go on to shoot under par again (-1, 990 rated) beating Panis and the field by 7. Out of 48 women, Allen shot 2 of the 6 rounds under par all weekend.
This was one of Panis’s standout events that earned her recognition on and off the course to land her new deal that would come months later.
PLAYER TO WATCH
The bracket for the DGPT Championship will finally be locked down on Sunday. For the FPO, the field is limited to 20 players.
Sitting just outside that line is Kona Panis. Coming into the season with all the attention, she has had a lackluster year.
Admitting that the pressure may have gotten to her, Panis is putting in the effort to improve. These last few events - if she gets in - could be the late season momentum she wants to carry into 2023.
You’ll be able to watch live all weekend on DGN. Or on next-day coverage from JomezPro, Gatekeeper Media, and GK Pro.
Question of the Week
Tyler Brickley - DGA’s comedian marketing manager - asked the Reddit community for their unpopular takes. Of course, many of these opinions are actually quite popular.
One in particular is that we “will massively regret the ‘grow the sport’ movement in the next few years.” The commentator believes that our current attitude of growth is not “inherently good and largely been unorganized and unguided.”
The possible growing pains:
Long wait times to play your local course
Influx of intentionally unsportsmanlike players
Disrespect towards courses that could lead to their closing
Random Dubs
1️⃣ Now here’s a hot take from a touring pro:
Everyone’s taught to hold the [putting] follow-through. If you really think about it, the second the disc leaves your hand the follow-through doesn’t do anything to the putt. If you hit your release point, line, and height, then it goes in every time. - Gannon Buhr
He does go on to admit that his form isn’t on purpose. He’s been so nervous when stepping up to a putt that his body won’t let him follow-through.
2️⃣ A former pro-DGer, a local pro/trainer, an ex-TopGolf employee, and a start-up expert walk into a bar and decide to come up with the next big thing… A TopGolf-style driving range for DG.
Reddit user Tyler IlGenio posted the idea with hundreds of comments offering recommendations or disapprovals. The big picture includes 25+ bays, pay by the hour/discs, pro shop, bar/restaurant, and a soon to be patented method for collecting thrown discs.
Tyler didn’t come looking for approval from the community. He said they already have funding and are fairly far along with plans to be located in a current DG mecca.
So if a TopDiscGolf comes to a town near you, are you a paying customer? Reply to this email with your take.
Meme of the Week
Thanks for reading today. Get out and yeet this weekend!
- Charlie
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