🍾 The perfect cure to a Worlds hangover

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The only newsletter that cares more about McBeth’s injury than those on my fantasy football team.

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If you missed the Worlds recap, then I got you: Gold Mountains

Let’s get into it.

DISCUSSION
Professional Sports & Injuries

There are two things keeping pro disc golfers up at night: Walmart shopping carts & lingering elbow pain. From pros to ams, everyone deals with injuries.

6 months ago, Caroline Henderson burst onto the scene with a 9th finish in Vegas. No one had heard of her, and she didn’t have a disc sponsor.

She’d go on to hit the Tour hard and join the Prodigy team. But for the past two months, she disappeared.

With her large social media following and other coverage, she was completely MIA. A week ago, she gave an update on Instagram.

Back in July, Henderson collapsed while working out due to sudden back pain. She went to the hospital and found out she had severe degeneration in her L4-L5 nerve canals.

Since then, she’s been going through physical therapy and surgery consultations. At this point, she’s unsure about touring again due to it being related to overuse.

This news comes at an interesting time in the season. There are only 5 tournaments left, and the cases of burnout/injuries are on the rise.

Obviously, Henderson is a unique case. She’s been a competitive athlete for years, so overuse has been an issue before ever picking up a disc.

But this is still a developing situation in disc golf. On the Fish Golf Brah-dcast, Fish, Zach Melton, & Ben Callaway discussed the struggles of touring.

If you get unlucky and injured, then there’s no guarantee you’ll get back to the level you were at before. Players like Eagle McMahon and possibly Paige Pierce come to mind.

But the true dangers lie in the grind. Those without large, guaranteed contracts play in every event hoping it’s their week to pop off.

So what now? The grind continues, but pros will continue being selective in their schedule. Unfortunately, injuries and sports are intertwined but hopefully payouts and contracts will continue to rise.

TOUR COVERAGE
Discmania Open (Silver)

PREVIEW (9/8-10)

Isaac Robinson isn’t the only one with a Worlds hangover this week… But the only way to cure it is more disc golf.

What’s even better is this Silver Event’s backdrop rivals VT’s Green Mountains. Starting tomorrow, Prince Edward Island will host pros looking for a quick getaway just 11 hours through Maine.

Outside the seafood and nature, PEI’s Maritime Association is known for its dedication, hospitality, and course design. Unfortunately due to a disagreement, the Maritime’s #1 course (#13 in the world) will not be featured.

Designed by John Houck, Hillcrest Farm is the flagship course for Canada. But its owners weren’t cooperative with the Tour or willing to convert to a Discmania-sponsored course.

In Hillcrest’s place, Rose Valley will showcase signature open holes paired with traditional tight woods. No matter the change, the potential is high for this hotspot, and Ben Smith - TD & biggest advocate for PEI - will do everything he can for it.

LAST YEAR RECAP

This will be the 1st year of the Discmania Open. But last year the Canadian Nationals (A-Tier) took place with Round 2 at Rose Valley.

It was the weekend after Worlds and the Butler County Classic (Silver) was happening simultaneously. So the field wasn’t the draw, but those who came went for the courses and experience.

MPO/ 🥇Thomas Gilbert (-14) 🥈Matt Bell (-11) 🥉Casey Hanemayer (-2)

FPO/ 🥇Ella Hansen (+8) 🥈Kathryn Tang & Jordan Moens (+23)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Speaking of Mr. 1x, Robinson is taking no time in flashing his ring and playing as the defending World Champ. He’s making the trek to this remote destination to hopefully pad his points over Gannon Buhr.

Sitting in 2nd behind Heimburg, Robinson has 6 DGPT points over his good friend who isn’t competing. A win here would be his 1st Silver title and give him a leg up as POTY.

But like last week, Eagle McMahon will stand in his way. This is his 1st time playing in PEI, so it’s safe to say there will be a new course record.

POWERED BY POWERGRIP USA
The Next Evolution of Kastaplast

Months ago, Kastaplast announced the retirement of the Grym (13|5|-1|2). The news was met with concern, but the manufacturer promised its predecessor would be better.

On Tuesday, the Kastaplast Vass (12|5|-1.5|2) was released and it fills the void perfectly. Meaning sharp in Swedish, this flagship driver is an immediate replacement for any and all brands’ counterparts.

Like all new Kasta, the collector’s market moves quickly. You already missed out on the Mint 1st Runs, but luckily there are plenty of stock K1 Vass looking for a new home.

Shop them and more with Powergrip USA!

ILLEGAL DISC & NATURE’S CALL
Random Dubs

1️⃣ Every week, there’s a new distance hack or cheat code circulating on YouTube. For those that want to try an actual cheater disc, then look no further than the “Stupidome Destroyer”.

It’s PDGA illegal, but clearly improves glide and flies far. From the creator (Flint_Hyzermatic), here’s how you make your own:

1. Fill a stainless steel dog bowl about 75% with water

2. Put it on your stove and bring the water to a boil

3. Put a driver on it upside down and remove from heat (Caution: take it outside)

4. As the water cools, a vacuum will be created sucking the disc down

While I don’t condone cheating, this could be fun to mess around with. It goes without saying, try at your own risk.

2️⃣ There’s always that one course where you have to stay vigilant while playing. It’s great, but some of the regulars can get a little carried away.

That was the case for George Ward Park about a year ago…

Unfortunately for locals, the issue has resurfaced. I’m not sure if it’s the same culprit, but regardless, it’s not suited to disc golfing.

While there’s not always a ton you can do to prevent this, being an advocate with your local Parks & Rec or continuing to play at these courses will help.

Meme of the Week

Thanks for reading today. Get out and huck this weekend!

- Charlie