☕ The Lone Star tea

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The only newsletter that gives you the same feeling as hearing the clang of chains - instant joy.

Let’s get into it.

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NEWS
Texas Swing Drama

Home to Lone Star Disc, the city of Conroe, TX is looking more and more like Boston. All the tea surrounding their relationship with Josh Hofstra and others continues to get spilled.

There are too many layers to this onion, but let’s peel back what’s been made public. Who’s Josh Hofstra, and what’s his side of the story?

From the Cool Daddy DG Podcast:

• JUN 2021: Joined LSD’s marketing team part-time

• OCT 2021: Became their full-time Director of Marketing - helped grow their IG following from 300 to 12k

• DEC 2023: Left company after disagreements on “cash grabs” and unwelcome interactions. Then started Dropship - a new media brand with fellow ex-coworker

• FEB 2024: Started Meridian Discs - a new disc brand sourcing from overseas manufacturers

• Last week: Hofstra revealed the threats he and others received from LSD

These two have some serious Vitamin D deficiencies from all the shade they’re throwing at each other. Either way, Hofstra’s 50-minute story was very telling.

Jump to yesterday, a new side character revealed himself. Chandler Kramer announced his return to LSD’s team after leaving it in the off-season.

For the past 3 months, Kramer’s been rocking an unsponsored bag with some support from retailers, jerky, and Dropship. That partnership is now wiped and LSD is in its place.

It’s not easy out there for a touring pro without main sponsors, so Kramer found a way to bury the hatchet with LSD but had to make a sacrifice in his good friend Hofstra.

Ultimately, I’m only going off of one side’s story and public posts. What happens behind closed doors will likely remain a secret.

This story has no end in sight, and small feuds like these will continue as the sport grows with more money involved. I hope you enjoyed your Thursday morning tea.

TOUR COVERAGE
US Women’s Disc Golf Championships (Major)

PREVIEW (3/21-24)

As the quickest turnaround for a Major, USWDGC starts today in Austin, TX. Staying within city limits, the Tour heads straight to Sprinkle Valley DGC only 4 miles from Harvey Penick.

This Major will mark the 2nd 4-round event in 3 weeks. We’re in a marathon stretch, and this weekend matters the most.

As with all USWDGCs, the vibes are immaculate. It’s the one event all year where nearly 350 women of all ages and levels get to celebrate the sport together.

As for the men, this will be a true off-week. There aren’t nearby A/B-Tiers, so expect to see many supporting their friends and partners on the course as fans or caddies.

Home to Austin Beerworks & Mint Discs, all 4 rounds will be held at the newly installed course that is Sprinkle Valley. These 18 holes will challenge shot-making abilities, placement golf, and scrambles through the TX rough.

LAST YEAR RECAP

Only 6 months ago did Kristin Tattar tap in her final putt. It was back in Burlington, NC on the very difficult Regulator course.

This victory finalized her Major sweep becoming the 1st official FPO Grand Slam. To cap it off, she pushed her 2023 earnings past $100k to become the 1st player to hit 6 figures twice.

As with many USWDGCs, the course became a focus of debate. Because of its rotating nature, the difficulty level can swing drastically compared to standard Tour stops. This year’s will certainly add to the conversation.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

It goes without saying that Tattar could make history again. Just days ago, she was beaten by an unstoppable Ohn Scoggins but maintained a 1000-rated event and beat the rest of the field by 5.

Joining the field is Kona Montgomery back from a 6-month absence. She successfully battled thyroid cancer, had major surgery, and underwent recovery forcing her to revamp her game.

Like Paige Pierce’s comeback, she has zero expectations. Either way, Montgomery’s homecoming will be great to see.

Live coverage starts today on YouTube with simultaneous broadcasts on DGPT and JomezPro. Big Jerm plus guests will host a companion stream - JomezCast - commentating on the 1st round live.

POWERED BY INFINITE DISCS
Don’t sleep on This

For the past 6 years, Infinite Discs has slowly built a lineup that can stand against any. It’s now 27 strong, and more are on the way.

Their latest drops today (3/21) in the form of a midrange - the Khonsu (5|5|-3|0). Other favorites include the Emperor (12|5|-1|2.5), the Exodus (7|5|-0.5|2), and the Alpaca (3|3|0|1).

Manufactured by Innova, these originate from fan-favorite molds with unique processing and plastics. These discs may be reminiscent of a Destroyer, Eagle-L, or P2, but they’re tailored to create a perfect lineup.

With run numbers and specific flight ratings on every stamp, the Infinite Line is fine-tuned for any bag!

QUICK HITS
Random Dubs

1️⃣ We made it. Spring is finally here. That means many of you in colder climates are back to doing fieldwork or at least thinking about it.

Besides a set of cones, one of my favorite fieldwork tools is a pair of 72-inch orange reflective rods. They’re typically used to mark parking lots, but to me, they’re a gap to hit.

Head to your big-box hardware store and grab two for $10. Then stick them in the ground to create different-sized gaps and orient yourself at a variety of distances and angles.

You’ll get instant feedback on your aimpoint while increasing your gap-hitting confidence. Plus you’ll make Coach Uli proud.

2️⃣ The change in seasons also signifies the end of the “official corridor for Ice Bowl events.” Ice Bowls are uniquely ingrained in our sport as a community winter event that raises funds for local charities.

And one region that does it big is the LoCo Disc Golf Club based out of Northern VA. For the 2nd year in a row, the club’s Ice Bowl Series raised over $40k to fight hunger in Loudoun County.

Since 2012, the club has raised over $194k for Ice Bowl Charities. The season might be over now, but do your part in helping your local community next winter.

Meme of the Week

Thanks for reading today. Get out and blow past the basket this weekend!

- Charlie