💶 The man behind Kristin Tattar

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The only newsletter where a tax return = new discs.

Let’s get into it.

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DISCUSSION
Managers Are The New Normal?

Some of the hardest work for touring pros happens off the course nowadays. Responsibilities to promote their brand (and wallets) include social posts, vlogs, interviews, and travel logistics.

For the 90% who are still establishing themselves as a household name, they’re doing everything on their own on top of training for the next event. As for the McBeth’s, Wysocki’s, and Tattar’s of the world, they choose to have a little help on the side.

This wasn’t always the case, but as the money has risen so has the responsibilities. For Tattar specifically, she came off her historic 2023 season as a real A-list athlete in Estonia and it was overwhelming.

This led to conversations with a friend - Matthias Vutt - that turned him into a business partner and her sports manager. Thanks to the official press agency of PDGA Europe - FrisbeeGolfMedia - Vutt revealed his story.

• Professional experience: 20 years at ad agencies ranging from startups to large corporations

• Disc golf experience: 8 years, founded one of the largest clubs in Estonia (Five Under)

• Since the beginning, Vutt trained with Silver Lätt and received lessons through their academy

Vutt’s relationship with Lätt & Tattar quickly went from friends to business when he became involved with the 2023 European DG Championship in Estonia. That event changed his career.

It’s now been 6 months since he went full-time as Tattar’s manager plus overseeing the upcoming DGPT European Festival. In that short period, the pair has made progress toward her true goal as an ambassador of our sport.

Strategically, Tattar & Vutt have targeted her recent sponsors with progress on the mind, not money. Disc golf is one of the largest sports in Estonia, and with Tattar’s x-factor, they want to keep that wave going.

While Estonia is a small country, Tattar & Vutt are setting the example. If disc golf ever “makes it”, it’ll be because of individuals like them.

TOUR COVERAGE
Jonesboro Open

PREVIEW (4/12-14)

The Tour moves to Jonesboro, AR to start the next chunk of events. Here they’re taking over the Disc Side of Heaven with its iconic rolling hills and bomber drives.

This year the course saw a little rework to step up its flow and spectator experience. Right off the bat, the demanding, downhill Hole 14 has moved to the very start.

And for the most part, the other iconic holes still exist but are in a different order. Coming down the stretch now, pros have to tackle the island as Hole 15 and the infamous rollaway bucket as the finishing hole.

Regardless of the tweaks, the pros seem mostly happy with the course and how much work the crew has done. Jonesboro is always a Tour favorite, so buckle up and watch the big dogs eat starting tomorrow.

LAST YEAR RECAP

MPO/ In almost dead-calm conditions, the main story of the event was James Conrad’s -17 1102-rated Round 2. Unfortunately, the AR winds went back to normal and he shot a -1 final round to finish 5th.

As for the winner, Heimburg continued his Jonesboro streak. He defended his 2022 title, became the 3x champ, and took down his 3rd event of the year.

FPO/ All Sunday long, it was a battle between 3 young FPO stars: Mertsch (age 21), King (21), and Castruita (17). But in the end, it was Kat “Macho Man” Mertsch who won her 1st DGPT in her home state. There wasn’t a dry eye to be seen afterward.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

It’s been 347 days since Calvin Heimburg’s last win (this event). While he was always in the mix and even won Player of the Year, his 2023 season didn’t end the way it started.

Heimburg’s still nursing his tendinitis injury by avoiding FHs but is still managing top 5 finishes. This could be the week that Vinny proves he can still win over the young guns.

Over in FPO, one of its best throwers will be missing. Henna Blomroos twisted her ankle during the off-week but hopes to return shortly.

So instead, I’d keep my eye on Ella Hansen. She’s fresh off her short, 2-week tour in New Zealand with Avery Jenkins.

There she won $625 through 2 events in a field of 8 and 5. Maybe she can translate her Down Under winning ways to the Tour.

POWERED BY INFINITE DISCS
Mystery Challenge Events

If you haven’t already seen Infinite Discs Mystery Challenges popping up in your area, then you need to check them out. Like ace races, this fun event is a changeup to serious tournament rounds.

Besides the matching mini and drawstring towel bag, each player gets 2-3 mystery discs that they must only throw. Events are extremely affordable.

Search for a local one on Disc Golf Scene. If there aren’t any, then visit here to easily run your own. All you need are at least 10 participants and packs run from $15-19.

QUICK HITS
Random Dubs

1️⃣ Every time I open UDisc, it feels like a new, mini feature has been added. This time I noticed the head-to-head history.

You can find it by going to the “More” tab → “Players” → tapping on one of your friends. It’ll look something like this:

Hopefully, your matchups are a little less lopsided than this… Or not, if they’re in your favor.

2️⃣ Joonas Merelä is one of the coaches for Team Finland. He’s obsessed with technique and is constantly developing drills and exercises with his disc golfers.

His latest focuses on the kinetic chain that creates proper BH timing. You must remember…

• The hips/pelvis are an anchor for the throw

• Rotating your pelvis fast does not increase power

• Your trunk/core generates and transfers power into the disc

To ensure you’re creating a kinetic chain, your brace order is as follows: ankle → knee → hips → center of mass. None of these elements should be in front or on top of the other.

Meme of the Week

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw some off the rack this weekend!

- Charlie