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Manufacturer Shuffle, Play Free, and Dark Times
Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The only newsletter where disc-shaped gifts are littered beneath the tree.Email Read Time: 5 Minutes & 01 Seconds
If you missed last week, then I got you: Disc Golf Disneyland
Letās get into it.
Uli & The Power DGA
Paul Ulibarri announced his latest venture - Power Disc Golf Academy. Partnering with David Bibiano & his company (Take 17), they promise the most in-depth online teaching experience with high-quality videos and community.
Having never heard of Bibiano, I did some research. In Uliās video, he claims to be an e-course creator who coaches thousands of entrepreneurs around the world.
Currently, his Take 17 website is not working, and the company hasnāt been active on social media since 2020. But digging further, it appears his focus has been on āThe Real Deal Video Strategist Clubā e-course.
Itās described as āan international community of Corporate Video Production professionals who are always striving to take their business to the next level.ā Translation: They teach videographers how to earn more money making videos for clients (e.g. Instagram Reels).
This e-course seems rather successful with glowing reviews and +2,500 āclubā members. If we take their holiday price of $499 for lifetime access, then theyāve potentially pulled in >$1M.
Now, if this info gives you the warm and fuzzies to fork over $50 for Uliās course, then thatās your call. Take a look at their site and decide if you want to treat yourself this holiday.
Contracts Watch
Itās late December, and players are starting to show their hands. Itās the manufacturer shuffle between the biggest teams:
Stacie Rawnsley - leaving Innova after 1 year
Lisa Fajkus - leaving Innova after 7 years
Maria Oliva - leaving Innova after 5 years
Austin Turner - leaving Discraft after 8 years
Scott Withers - leaving Discraft after a disappointing and injury-filled year. His relationship with Resistance Discs (Discraft-only retailer) points to DGA
James Proctor - leaving Innova after 3 years
Anthony Barela - leaving Innova after 9 years
Erika Stinchcomb was seemingly dropped by Westside after 5 years. In the comments, Missy Gannon said no warning drops by Team Trilogy are common.
With many smaller brands to choose from, players might want to be a big fish in a small pond. 11 more days until the news drops.
šØ NEW-ISH šØ
If thereās one thing Drew Gibson loves more than cars and tattoos, itās stacking up sponsors. He announced a partnership with New Zealand manufacturer RPM, and his signature disc is the White Heron (rebranded Kotuku, 5|5|0|2)
On a Finnish podcast, Eveliina Salonen revealed that she has a multi-year contract starting in 2023. This doesnāt feel like a re-signing with Innova, but her future looks promising. With Finlandās new National DG Team, Salonen will focus more on DG and use the programās coaching staff.
RUMORS
Emerson Keith to Lone Star Discs with a 4-year deal
Mason Ford leaving DD for Mint Discs (from his home state of TX)
At a FL A-Tier, Thomas Gilbert announced heās leaving Prodigy
Fresh Plastic
Sponsored by Powergrip USA⦠A PRETTY GOOD disc golf shop.
š Powergripās Highlight: Nate Perkins Meta Essence - Zen II (8|6|-2|1)Starting today (12/21) at 11AM ET, their most popular mold will be available in the new blend of Meta plastic.
Expect the same blend of grippy, durable, and slightly gummy plastic that the Razor Claw 3 and Midnight Prowl II were released in months ago. With its slight dome, this all-around US fairway will work wonders for your hyzerflip and turnover game.
For those newer to the sport, youāll know Perkins as an on-course reporter for the Pro Tour. And for those seasoned vets, youāll remember him as the smooth FHāer from TX.
In the words of Nate Perkins, grab a Zen II for your bag and āplay free.ā
Random Triples
1ļøā£ Learn from Clint Calvinās mistake and prevent a hip injury. Sponsored by Lat64, Calvin is a 1006-rated pro from San Diego. Months after fixing his overuse injury, he shared this revelation.
Before, he would allow his bodyās momentum to push his plant foot through the shot. This led to slower rotation and more pressure on his hip/knee.
Now, he consciously rotates his plant foot on the heel as he pulls through. To him, this creates more momentum and alleviates pressure on his joints.
2ļøā£ Months ago, Ultiworld released a fandom survey, and its results are streaming out now. To those 1,503 people surveyed, Kristin Tattar is the most popular player over Simon Lizotte & Nate Sexton.
This doesnāt come as much surprise. On her current trajectory, Tattar has all the right qualities to be a global super star of our sport.
Sheās essentially a celebrity in Estonia - congratulated by its president after Worlds, having her Worlds trophy displayed at the Estonian Sports & Olympic Museum, and being nominated for Estonian Female Athlete of the Year.
Read more about the surveyās results here, and see if your favorites align.
3ļøā£ Something new popped onto my radar in this off-season. Itās called the Indoor Disc Golf Experience, and they have Nate Sexton, Gannon Buhr, & Drew Gibson giving clinics.
For the past 10 years, these guys have filled an empty niche within our niche sport: entice winter-starved disc golfers with an indoor facility and star power. If you live in Brookfield (WI), Dubuque (IA), or Rockford (IL), then there are still open spots.
Meme of the Week
Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw your new discs this weekend!
- Charlie
What'd you think of this week's edition?