🩺 James "Not a doctor" Proctor

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The only newsletter that doesn’t pack it up and go home when there’s a Silver Event.

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If you missed The Open’s recap, then I got you: A TX Shootout

Let’s get into it.

PLAYER PROFILE: JAMES PROCTOR

Since the season started, you’ve likely heard these names thrown around: Doctor Proctor or The Proctologist… James Proctor is no doctor, but he’s a clinician in distance, shot shaping, and being an all-around great guy.

For the uninitiated, his history runs deep, especially on the west coast. And up until last year, he held a full-time job while being a weekend warrior in the 1040 rating club.

Here’s his off-the-course story:

• For the last 4.5 years, Proctor was a special education teacher with an emphasis on math

• He taught at a private school in CA for boys with emotional disturbance and at a public school in Seattle for a behavior program

• In the off-season, he goes back to CA as a teacher’s aid

Since hitting the Tour more last year, Proctor’s rating has slowly come down to 1021. But now at it full-time, he’s showing signs of greatness and being comfortable with his open bag.

At Austin, Proctor crawled his way up to a podium finish from the 4th card. He clearly had his discs dialed with the highest C2 in regulation stat at 76%.

Now at #6 of DGPT standings, Proctor is on the up and up. This season, he’s traveling with teammate and good friend Eric Oakley as they try to hold the young guns at bay.

JOIN THE TOUR WITH BIRDIE PRO

It’s the halfway point for Birdie Pro’s Kickstarter campaign… Current funding: $12.5k. A vast majority of the backers are pledging at the level that includes the 2023 Worlds Fox Run expansion.

Eventually, The Boda Brothers plan to add the Preserve, Maple Hill, and WR Jackson as possible future expansion courses. Step into the shoes of Cale “Dr. Smooth” Leiviska or Simon Lizotte at their favorite tracks with Birdie Pro!

TEXAS STATES (SILVER)

PREVIEW (3/24-26)

It’s time for the 1st Silver Event. After 2 back-to-back weeks, the Tour ends its TX swing on another new property and city - Houston.

Previously in the city of Tyler, TX States has been downgraded from Elite to Silver. Speculated reasons for the change are course controversy and Tour logistics.

There’s one more twist this year… MPO & FPO are playing two separate courses on the same Brock Park property. MPO will tackle a temp course designed specifically for this event, while FPO is on a modified version of the original park.

While the courses are different, the theme remains the same - Attackable holes with OB-surrounded fairways. If players are not accurate off the tee, then they will be penalized.

LAST YEAR RECAP

MPO/ 🥇Ricky Wysocki (-29) 🥈Calvin Heimburg (-28) 🥉Gregg Barsby (-25)

Another year, another TX States win for Mr. Raptor Legs. He averaged a 1072 rating and missed only 1 C1X putt to win his 1st event sponsored by DD.

FPO/ 🥇Paige Pierce (-17) 🥈Kristin Tattar & Catrina Allen (-13) 🥉Valerie Mandujano (-8)

Into the final round, Pierce had a healthy lead, but Tattar & Allen challenged her win. Coming down to Hole 18’s drive, both made crucial mistakes and fell flat.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Along with the Silver status change is the absence of some big names: Wysocki, McBeth, McMahon, Lizotte, Dickerson, & Pierce. But even without them, the field is deep like any Elite Event.

18-year-old Cole Redalen has demonstrated his ceiling is 1082 rated and has a quickly rising floor. Once he dials in his DGA discs and strings together 3 decent rounds, he could be the next teen to break into a Tour win.

Conversely, tour veteran Jessica Weese has been climbing up the standings. On the Partee podcast, Hannah McBeth attributed Weese’s recent podium to her putting.

“Weese is a putting machine.” Her ability to manipulate FHs & BHs will get her in attackable range on the several par 4’s of this weekend.

PUKEUTUA HÄIKÄSTÄÄKSEEN POWERGRIP USA

Translation: Dress to impress with Powergrip USA. 
The best hats from the other side of the Atlantic are still for sale.

You might recognize The Flying Plate Company hats worn by Finnish friends - Eveliina Salonen & Henna Blomroos. They love them for their style and functionality during a round.

Dress like the pros to throw like the pros. Check out their preferred hats and Innova discs today.

RANDOM DUBS

1️⃣ If you’re bored this weekend and TX States isn’t the remedy, then tune in to Terry Miller’s channel. He’s heading down to FL and will have coverage coming out for The Open at Tallahassee (A-Tier).

Although McBeth recently dropped due to a split finger, there will be many touring names going for the win. Check out The DG Guy’s coverage for Silas Schultz, Casey White, Charlie Goodpasture, and the Ageless Wonder - JohnE McCray.

Last year, this event was a Silver Series held in early April. Albert “The Bazooka” Tamm & Stacie Hass both took down their 1st DGPT wins.

2️⃣ Every 2 years, Finland’s University of Jyväskylä publishes the results of their “physical activity behavior of children and young people” study. If you needed more proof that European disc golf is thriving, then look no further.

MEME OF THE WEEK

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw new discs this weekend!

- Charlie