🦊 The disc golf fox capitol of the world

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. Your “too long; didn’t read/watch” for disc golf.

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If you missed OTB’s preview, then I got you: Ryan v. PDGA

Let’s get into it.

OTB OPEN

RESULTS - 🏆EMERSON KEITH & PAIGE PIERCE

It was kind of a wild weekend that started with a legal battle and ended with big shots in hot weather. Here are the storylines you should remember or you may have missed:

1 - The most woodsy ball golf course on Tour.

One thing is clear, Leonard Muise takes course design seriously. He evolved the 2 layouts to challenge pros while showcasing their talents. It’s not every week that FPO scores rival MPO.

The nature-filled property not only housed foxes, geese, and squirrels but also had balanced risk and reward holes. Players couldn’t look to the sky and pitch a hyzer-bomb to the green.

Adding to the experience, the temp tee pads saw nothing but compliments with their immaculate turf done by a carpet company. But as with everything, there’s always room for improvement.

The MVP Black Hole Portal baskets caused frustrating spit-outs and a Lizotte outburst more surprising than Conrad’s unbridled rage. It seems that the particular chain design is less prone to catch low, strong-side putts.

2 - Is she back to GOAT form?

Pierce made it very clear that her motivation to win never left. She may have ups and downs throughout the season but always has her foot on the gas - Ricky Bobby style.

For the 1st time in a month, she was pain-free from her tendonitis and put up the hottest round of the season (Round 2, 1033 rated). It gave her the cushion to win OTB Open for the 3rd year in a row.

Being only her 5th event, she doubled her victories and brought her win rate up to 40% this year. While it felt like the washed-up comments could be laid to rest, Pierce’s dominance had one teeny tiny asterisk.

Now we wait with our fingers crossed for Pierce to remain in form when Tattar is back in the States. In 2.5 weeks, The Portland Open will be the test.

3 - EmerDaddy wins on Mother’s Day.

Championship Sunday was Keith’s gift to his wife and 2 young kids at home. He held strong as he watched nerves take over Gossage’s putt and Buhr hitting birdies from the 5th card.

And while this was his 1st DGPT win, Keith’s performance should come as no surprise. MPO’s pound-for-pound top thrower has ruled the TX scene for years including his famous 2019 Worlds run.

With this win, Keith has turned his streaky season around and moved up 22 spots into 25th for Tour point standings. As for the typical top performers, it turns out what’s good for the goose isn’t good for the gander.

Lizotte, McMahon, Clemons, KJ USA, & Aderhold all went home empty-handed. This was McMahon’s 1st time missing cash at an Elite or better event.

4 - Natalie Ryan was back for 18 holes.

You’ve all seen what happened, but here are the quick updates from a roller coaster start to the weekend:

• Thursday, May 11th - A Federal District Judge granted Ryan’s temp restraining order allowing her to play in the OTB Open. The PDGA & DGPT submitted an appeal shortly after the news broke

• Friday, May 12th - Ryan tees off on the 1st card out and is met with a silent show of unity from some competitors and spectators. She ended 1 stroke off the lead after 18 holes

• Late Friday, May 12th - The Court of Appeals granted the DGPT’s appeal to disallow Ryan from continuing to compete. Due to a technicality, the Federal Court in CA didn’t have jurisdiction over this case because Ryan and one owner of the Tour are citizens of VA

• Saturday, May 13th - Ryan is marked as DNF on the event page

This court case is far from over, but for now we can catch our breath with the passing of OTB Open. It’ll likely be weeks or months before more info emerges.

HIGHLIGHT

James Proctor smokes Hole 12’s center pole. Would it have stuck with a different basket? Probably not… But still an amazing shot.

FRESH PLASTIC

Sponsored by Powergrip USA… A PRETTY GOOD disc golf shop.

👉 Powergrip’s Highlight: Clash Discs Salt (12|5|-1|3)
These Finnish-stamped Steady Salts are exclusive to Powergrip USA and available in yellow or white.

Channel your inner Finn and throw some salt on your tasty tosses. This is Clash’s flagship distance driver, and can easily replace your perfectly seasoned Star Destroyer as a workhorse… Baby flip with reliable fade.

As with many smaller brands - especially those with high standards and plastic - Clash discs barely differ from run to run. They are consistently consistent, and you won’t question if your old Steady Salt will fly the same as your new one.

As for plastic, the Steady blend is unmatched and compares closely to Kastaplast K1. These Salts tend to be on the flatter side, so throwing them BH or FH will feel natural.

Snag one today and become Finnish Friends with Team Powergrip’s Eveliina Salonen & Henna Blomroos.

RANDOM DUBS

1️⃣ Since OTB Open is “the most forward-thinking spectating tournament in the country”, it’s only fitting that they had disc golf’s emerging tech companies on site.

1. Disc AI breaks down every step of your BH form with just your phone camera. It can even register Conrad’s insane run-up and each of his throwing levers. Click to see it compared to AB’s form.

2. TechDisc is a disc-mounted sensor system that measures your throw’s speed, spin, wobble, hyzer angle, launch angle, and nose angle. The company just launched its 1st pre-order, and for $300 you can exactly measure how nose-up your throws are.

2️⃣ Welcome to the Ohn Zone. After this weekend, Scoggins secured her 12th podium finish in the past 365 days beating out Tattar at 11. While she lacks wins, her consistency has been paying off.

And as if there wasn’t more to love about her, a Redditor shared their favorite disc golf story featuring the one and only Ohn.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

Thanks for reading today. Get out and don’t suck this week!

- Charlie