🦾 Comeback story of the year

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The only newsletter that finds a way to blame an iron leaf on every hole.

Let’s get into it.

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PLAYER PROFILE
From Hanging it Up to Top 10s

Who doesn’t like a comeback story? The 26-year-old told his own on the Tour Life podcast. Let’s start with Gavin Rathbun’s humble beginnings.

His come up

Like other touring pros, his story goes back to his teenage years and love for another sport.

• Wrestled religiously until he got injured at 16

• Found disc golf and jumped into the junior scene competing with AB, Adam Hammes, & Isaac Robinson (2014 - 2016)

• Accepted cash and turned pro after winning 2016 US AMs

• Played locally until hitting the Tour hard in 2020

Once on the road, Rathbun became a weekly contender and loved it. But then a story as old as time (at least recently), he got injured.

The injury

In 2021, Rathbun’s shoulder continuously got worse. He’d push it to its limits before finding out he needed surgery to fix his torn labrum.

It took him 8 months before returning to the Tour and another 4 to get used to his new mobility. While believing he’s still one of the best throwers of the disc, his comfortable distance went from 650’ to 550’ after surgery.

2023-2024 Off-season

After a shaky 2023, Rathbun didn’t get the contract numbers he was hoping for. Feeling like he had no choice, he dropped his DD sponsorship and announced his break.

But as fate would have it, his girlfriend - Destinee Haugabook - got the call and was hired as DGPT/JomezPro retail operations coordinator. She’d have to work every Tour stop and as a result, it made expenses doable.

The comeback

After one of the biggest surprises of the off-season, he mounted his comeback with no main sponsor and an open bag. Out of the 4 events, Rathbun has two 6th place finishes, a 15th, and a 96th (we’ll call that a fluke).

Now that he’s back to 100%, he’s playing smarter, making more putts, and working harder. He’s had multiple sponsorship offers but is passing until next year.

Other torn labrums

Rathbun’s success story is promising for 2 others experiencing torn labrums. However, his lengthy timeline to get to now might force patience.

Eagle McMahon had his surgery, went through rehab, and will make his debut in 2 weeks (Music City Open). Paul McBeth is holding off on surgery and trying stem cell treatment for now.

Injuries will continue to be a theme, but how pros deal with them is what writes their story. As for Rathbun, his is still being written as he sits 11th in the DGPT standings.

PRO COVERAGE
Off-Week Action

After 5 straight weeks in the Lone Star State, the Tour has a week off to travel 9 hours to Disc Side of Heaven (Jonesboro, AR). There starts the 3-event stretch in the Chef states ending with the next Major - Champions Cup.

As always many pros take advantage of the off-week to make extra cash while staying fresh. Here’s the main event:

PERSIMMON RIDGE RETREAT (4/5-7)

Many have already gotten a head start and arrived in AR for a special event. Not only will this A-Tier be held at the World’s 6th-best course, but it’s right in the path of totality.

The Great American Eclipse takes place on Monday immediately following the event. For this momentous occasion that won’t happen for another 20 years, the property is pulling out all the stops.

They’ve brought in $5k added cash, GK Pro, and Luke Humphries. Besides the 3 competitive rounds, pros and ams will stick around for the Eclipse Fest.

GK Pro will host a distance comp, Tour Skins, & the $10k Beat the Pros series. It’s something any local wouldn’t want to miss.

In the field

The MPO Finns make up half of the 6 highest rated: Niklas Anttila, Väinö Mäkelä, & Jesse Nieminen. 2 of them already have wins this year, so it’s up to Nieminen to complete the trio.

Last weekend, Nathan Queen had his best finish (7th) since his $30k payday in 2021. Since then, he’s had a catalog of injuries but claims his body is feeling the best yet.

In a field of 20, Kristin Tattar has 3 rounds to make up for her weak 994 average rating since the last update. Per u/KyleSilva, she needs at least a 1012 event rating to break through the 1000-rated ceiling come Tuesday.

My Magic 8 Ball says, “Outlook not so good.” But who knows, she is Kristin Tattar after all.

POWERED BY INFINITE DISCS
History Was Made

Just days ago, Anniken Steen became the 1st Norwegian to win a Tour event. Not only did she do it against the best, but she did it with an open bag.

One of her most important discs was her very own Signature Swirly S-Blend Emperor. This collab with Infinite Discs has her personalized stamp with diamonds & pearls.

Coming in as one of the more OS runs, Steen leaned on it for BH hyzer shots to stick it close and run with her spin putt. Support the historic champ today with Infinite Discs!

QUICK HITS
Random Dubs

1️⃣ In Rockhill, SC, the latest PDGA Major - Collegiate Nationals - started yesterday and runs through Saturday. 764 students have traveled across the world to compete in DI to DIII teams & singles.

The 4 days of competition are taking place on 5 unique courses across 3 properties: Winthrop University, Westminster Park, & Camp Canaan. The team atmosphere is something unlike any other disc golf event.

Ranging from Emporia State (coached by Eric McCabe) to Boise State (coached by Seth Munsey aka DiscGolfStrong), the students hope to make their schools proud.

Next-day coverage will be posted on PDGA’s YouTube channel. Spoiler alert, the defending DI team champs (University of Cincinnati) are tied at the top with EMac’s after day 1.

2️⃣ On November 11th, 2014, Terry Miller and Jonny V blazed the trail for the many disc golf podcasts that exist today. This Tuesday, SmashboxxTV recorded its 500th episode.

From anywhere between 1 to 4 hours, this duo has brought the community news, interviews, and opinions for 500 nights. Here’s to 500 more filled with off-the-rails topics and casual conversation with friends.

Step inside the Smashboxx!

Meme of the Week

Thanks for reading today. Get out and putt like Barsby this weekend!

- Charlie