🫘 Bean Boots, Barbasol, and Brats

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. Your secret weapon to staying updated on disc golf.

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Let’s get into it.

NEWS
The Official Shoe of the PDGA: Bean Boots

Beer, flannel, and disc golf are all huge parts of a New England lifestyle. And straight from Maine, one of the leading outdoors brands is taking it all one step further.

On Monday, the PDGA announced that L.L. Bean will be the presenting sponsor for this year’s Worlds held at Smugglers’ Notch in VT. They’ve thrown down the cash to push the purse over $275k for the 300-player field.

While L.L. Bean has been a Tour sponsor before, this is bigger and better. Last year, the Worlds’ purse totaled $200k with McBeth cashing $20k and Tattar at $11k.

With Worlds still 7 weeks away, there’s little doubt the purse could push past $300k with possible winner payouts closing in on $30k MPO & $20k FPO. But amongst all the good news, we were reminded of the past…

You can lower your eyebrows, cause there’s a bit more to that story. Supposedly, the PDGA had an existing agreement with another sponsor and didn’t want to back out.

Regardless, outside companies are more involved year after year. We’re no longer a flash in the pan, and the money flow will hopefully continue our way.

With fields being more competitive than ever, young pros can continue to realize their dreams with livable payouts. Walmart camping and 24-hr drives could slowly be in the past.

TOGETHER WITH DISC GOLF SWAG
Make Your Own Face Disc

Last year, Simon Lizotte made his Eagle face disc famous. It was his go-to FH DD3 that he got from a skilled disc dyer.

With Disc Golf Swag, you can make your very own face disc. It could be the perfect gift for your best friend’s birthday, an upcoming boys’ trip, or in your own bag.

Jump into their design tool today and slap your face or someone else’s on your disc of choosing. All custom designs are high-res, have zero added texture/weight, and ship in 2 business days.

Use code MEETING for 10% off your order!

TOUR COVERAGE
PCS Open

PREVIEW (7/13-15)

For the 1st time in DGPT history, there’s an Elite Event outside the States. That means full DGPT points are at stake and the best players in the world have made the trek to Norway.

Already started today, the Europe Swing premieres with 3 days at Øverås Diskgolfpark. Nicknamed Ragnorak, this Viking-themed course has been featured since 2016.

It has a mix of open holes with classic European woods. And as pros tap in their final putts on the picturesque tractor, they’ll be hoping to hit double digits.

While it’s not the hardest course in Europe, it poses unique challenges and is one of the most memorable (#17 in the world rankings).

So as you sip on your morning coffee or pull all-nighters, turn on some live coverage and soak in the beautiful Norway fjords. The sun doesn’t set until midnight, and the disc golf will be epic.

LAST YEAR RECAP

MPO/ 🥇Gregg Barsby (-15) 🥈Jakub Semerád (-15) 🥉Joona Heinänen (-12)

For the past 2 years, this event has been 4 days split between Vasset Diskgolfpark and Ragnorak. But due to club discussions, the event has shifted to only Øverås.

Last year, Barsby became a true Barsbarian and raised the trophy axe. He overcame a 1-hole playoff with Semerád to record his 79th career win.

FPO/ 🥇Anniken Steen (+24) 🥈Rachel Turton (+26) 🥉Katarina Staalensen (+43)

Without Elite Event status, the women’s field consisted of 11 Europeans. Norwegian Anniken Steen took it down by 2 strokes over Turton from the UK.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

With this being a new Elite stop, there are lots of 1st timers. All eyes will be on McBeth as he attempts to continue his European successes and go for the 3rd win in a row.

On the other hand, Wysocki is looking to keep his momentum rolling after his win at the Preserve 2 weeks ago. And finally, Mr. Krokhol Open Champ - Bradley Williams - is trying to rebound after an unfortunate car accident a week ago.

Williams and Lykke Lorentzen were hit from behind and flew into the side ditch. He had to be checked out in the ambulance but has been feeling better and hopes to shred this weekend.

throw_like_lucky

View more on Instagram

Speaking of accidents, Paige Pierce dropped from the registration list last night. She slipped on one of the bridges, fractured her ankle, and will be out for a few months.

POWERED BY POWERGRIP USA
Support Pros with Swedish Plastic

Over at Powergrip USA, they just restocked and reloaded new Swedish discs from Kastaplast. While they’ve got some classics in new plastics like the K1 Soft Järn or the K3 Göte, there’s also the new 2023 Tour Series.

• Luke Samson’s K1 Hard Krut (12|4|0|4) - In just slightly stiffer K1 plastic, this is Samson’s go-to driver off the tee

• Stacie Rawnsley’s K1 Lots (9|5|-1|2) - This run is domey and throws like a DD Escape

• Clay Edwards’s K1 Hard Stig (6|5|-2|1) - In this plastic, this mold flies a tad more stable

• Josef Berg’s K3 Glow Berg (1|1|0|2) - Join the Berg Gang… You know you want to

MASTERS & NEW THROW
Random Dubs

1️⃣ Let me paint a picture for you… You’re surrounded by sweaty middle-aged men & women trying to find shade and the lowest score possible.

No, this isn’t your local tags match. It’s the PDGA Masters Worlds in Flagstaff, AZ. And since Tuesday, our sport’s legends have been duking it out for a Major title.

At 7,000 ft of elevation, there are 900 competitors ranging from amateur to pro and aged 40 to 80+. All eyes are on the MP40 & FP40 divisions as several Hall of Famers and touring pros are playing.

As of today, Michael Johansen & Cale Leiviska have shot back-to-back hot rounds to lead over Joe Rovere in MP40. And for FP40, Ohn Scoggins & Holly Finley are tied and lead the field by 4.

Tune into the PDGA channel this weekend for post-production coverage and watch these living legends tear it up.

2️⃣ You can never have too many tools in your toolbox. From the mind of Alex Geisinger, the Punch Throw is the perfect upshot to add to your arsenal.

It takes your body out of the throw and controls the speed. If you lack touch for short shots (<200ft), then follow these steps for the Punch Throw…

1. Grab your favorite neutral putter with a fan grip

2. Lean back on your back foot

3. Rock forward onto your front foot

4. Lead with your elbow and punch your hand out

The flight should be a nose-up stall. And it’s about punching the disc out, not about the follow-through.

Meme of the Week

Thanks for reading today. Get out and win your tournament this weekend!

- Charlie