🌍 Discraft's European takeover

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The only newsletter whose noodle arm is so soft, it could feed an entire Olive Garden.Email Read Time: 4 Minutes & 43 Seconds

If you missed last week, then I got you: McBeth Moves Mountains?

Let’s get into it.

The Race for the Euro Market

Discraft is clearly gearing up for a big European expansion of its brand. With McBeth taking an extended tour and now picking up the OG KJ from Innova, their reach has just begun.

But they’re not the only ones trying to tap into disc golf’s next leg of growth… Historically, the European Open is known for its professionalism, crowds, and weak field strength.

In the past, players haven’t viewed the trip across the pond as worth it, but this year things seem different. The European Open continues to pop up on tour schedule posts.

Players who don’t typically make the trip have had a change of heart. To name a few Chris Dickerson, Corey Ellis, Isaac Robinson, Aaron Gossage, AB, Andrew Marwede, Chandler Fry, Ben Callaway, Luke Samson, & Maria Oliva all plan to compete in Finland come July.

The days of the European Open being the weakest Major may soon be over. The market is ripe for the picking, and we’ll soon see who’s hungry.

10th Annual Maricopa Open (A-Tier)

PREVIEW (2/3-5)

Arizona’s teeing up another off-season banger. Playing 3 rounds at the Copper Sky DGC, the Maricopa Open is across town from Shelly Sharpe’s Vista Del Camino.

Similarly, the course is located in another very public, multi-use park. Surrounding a small lake, it features open holes with lots of OB and some trees.

It’s another laid-back event for the many pros continuing their off-season training in the area. Those include AB, Hammes, Marwede, Gossage, Tamm, Kat Mertsch, & Jen Allen.

Terry Miller “The DG Guy” will eventually have coverage on his channel. He’s currently traveling in Thailand, but he has a guy that will be filming in Maricopa.

LAST YEAR RECAP

MPO/ 🥇Adam Hammes (-12) 🥈Luke Samson (-10) 🥉Aaron Gossage (-8)

FPO/ 🥇Jennifer Allen (+6) 🥈Calli McMorran (+18) 🥉Ohn Scoggins (+22)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Since 2020, Adam Hammes has been the Maricopa champ, and he’s looking to make it a 4-peat. With his less than stellar finish at the Shelly Sharpe, he’ll want redemption while defending his title.

The 710ft throwing Estonian - Albert Tamm - is back in the States for some warm-weather training. He’s starting his season now and won’t return to Europe until July.

Fresh Plastic

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

👉 Powergrip’s Highlight: Eclipse Leapin’ Lizottl’ Hex (5|5|-1|1) [li·zah·toll] noun: An amphibian species closely related to the German salamander. Typically have long arms, drink IPAs, and are known for taking the Simon Line.

This Friday (2/3), Lizotte’s 1st MVP Team Series disc will drop. The Axolotl stamped Hex should immediately replace that busted-up Buzzz or Mind Bender in your bag.

There’s nothing this disc can’t do. It feels amazing and will give you the perfect straightness that other molds falsely promise.

In the best glow plastic (backed by stats), this Hex will be slightly more OS than in Neutron or Proton. But that’s one more reason to bag it… Your existing Hex needs an OS counterpart.

LOOK! There's something new flying through disc golf...Person 1: "It's a bird!"Person 2: "No, it's a plane!"Powergrip: "Nope, it's the best global team in the sport"

That's right. Team Powergrip has officially added 5 new members for 2023: Simon Lizotte, Nate Sexton, Jeremy Koling, Eveliina Salonen, & Henna Blomroos.

These 5 top pros are partnering with the ONLY retailer on multiple continents, and here’s what it means:

• Exclusive releases: merch, tour discs, signature series, etc.

• Signing sessions, meet & greets, and clinics in the US & EU

This collaborative partnership will be more than just a logo on a sleeve. Powergrip will be the cross-continental bridge for easier access to these players and ways to support them.

Random Triples

1️⃣ With the off-season on its last legs, the DGPT post-production media plan dropped. Here’s what it means:

• Expect more JomezPro jerseys running around Elite, Elite+, Playoffs, and Majors (Champs Cup, Worlds, USWDGC). The biggest channel will now cover both MPO & FPO lead cards

• GK Pro is becoming an extension of the DGN crew. They’ll focus on Skins with ticketed spectators & assisting the live broadcast

• Spreading the wealth to a smaller channel - Ace Run Pro - for FPO chase card at Elite and higher

• Central Coast (& Rocking To Brock 🤞) will finally be back with coverage of all Silver Events on their channel

The timing for JomezPro to support FPO’s growth couldn’t be better. Will we see Tattar throw down another impressive season? Or will Pierce silence all the GOAT skeptics?

2️⃣ As one of the only women-run tours, TX’s Wildflower Tour kicked off this month. Throughout the year, they’re running at least 10 women-only events plus a finale.

Their 1st event - The Prickly Pear Classic - was a B-Tier that had 106 players. If you didn’t know, B-Tiers require participants to be active PDGA members.

That means they had over 1% of all women PDGA members at their event. Wildflower is growing the sport in ways others are not, and they have aspirations to expand to more states.

3️⃣ Do you find yourself tired of the “fricks” & “hecks” thrown around most DG vlogs? Well, I’ve got a channel for you - Mother Huckers.

Watch these guys hit the course as intended with drinks, cussing, and good-natured fun. I’ll start you off with a classic…

Meme of the Week

Thanks for reading today. Get out and return some discs this weekend!

- Charlie

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2023 Season Countdown: 3 Weeks

1st DGPT event - Las Vegas Challenge, February 23-26