🤝 Putting all our eggs in DGPT's basket

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The only newsletter where throwing Star Destroyers is mandatory today.

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If you missed Jonesboro’s recap, then I got you: Disc Side of Hell

Let’s get into it.

DGPT ACQUIRES JOMEZPRO

On Tuesday, JomezPro announced they’d been acquired by the DGPT. Is this the best union in disc golf since frisbees and bevel rims?

There are strong opinions on both sides of the coin. In case you blinked and missed it, here’s everything you need to know about this massive media consolidation:

• With the exit of their managing partner (Juan Garcia), it’s been in the works for the past year and the addition of FPO coverage on their channel was paved by it

• With 18 full-time employees, they need help with administrative operations and business development

• Combining forces will maximize efficiency and allow JomezPro to focus on what they do best - filming disc golf

• Other channels - Gatekeeper, GK, and Ace Run - will not be affected and continue to be contractors for now

• The previous $250k/year licensing fee can now be better spent within the 2 brands

• JomezPro will continue to be an independent brand and its revenue streams will stay intact - Patreon, merch, and ads

• “Non-competition media” will increase starting with a docu-series of McBeth’s Europe chronicles

What does this mean? To the average watcher, nothing changes. Post-produced & next-day coverage will remain free and on their YouTube channel… for now.

It’s not just the “Year of Efficiency” in the tech world. Disc golf is feeling the effects of slowed growth, and there are more companies behind the scenes feeling its negative effects.

As of now, all our eggs are in DGPT’s basket. Thankfully, their “basket” has proven to be more trustworthy than the Prodigy ones at Jonesboro.

A-TIERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

It’s an off-week for the Tour. Many of the big-timers are driving the 30 hours from AR to CA, while others are going on vacation (Lizotte’s in Puerto Rico).

But the true weekend warriors are staking their claim at 3 different tournaments each covered by a post-produced media outlet. It’s a three-screen kind of weekend on DG YouTube.

SANTA CRUZ MASTERS CUP (CA) - Coverage by CCDG

Downgraded from a Silver Series, this legendary event plays at Santa Cruz’s Delaveaga. This old-school course has many signature holes like Top of the World, Refrigerator, I-5, and Gravity.

Last year, Gannon Buhr took home his 1st DGPT win by a stroke over Matty O and Conrad. This weekend, he’s back to defend his title against names like Cole Redalen, Alden Harris, & James Proctor.

As for FPO, Sai Ananda is making her way back to competition after her Silver win back in March. She’ll fend off Ohn Scoggins and Cat Allen.

THE 303 OPEN (CO) - Coverage by Gatekeeper

There’s more than just a title on the line at this event. This is a USDGC qualifier and with the smaller field, it’s a no-brainer for players who haven’t earned their spot.

Those attending include Joel Freeman, Joe Rovere, Aaron Gossage, Evan Scott, AJ Carey, and Tony Ferro. Natalie Ryan is also making an appearance and continuing her A-Tier circuit.

HUK CENTRAL (SC) - Coverage by The DG Guy

The brand new Oconee National DG Complex will be hosting this event. It’s 90 acres of beautiful woods and will eventually have 3 championship courses, a pro shop, an RV park, pickleball courts, and more.

Located outside of Clemson, this private property’s 1st course has yet to see public play except for this weekend. Evan Smith (local touring pro), Aidan Scott, and Michael Johansen are names to watch for.

SHOP MVP WITH POWERGRIP USA

Team Powergrip’s Simon Lizotte has made it clear that his switch to GYRO® couldn’t have been smoother. His MVP teammate - James Conrad - would agree, and his -17 round at Jonesboro speaks for itself.

Grab yourself a disc from Conrad’s line of discs:

• Zenith (11|5|-0.5|2) - Flies like a slightly beat-in Photon or Innova Wraith

• Terra (8|5|-0.5|2.5) - The Electron (baseline) plastic version beats into a reliable, straight fairway driver

Or browse Powergrip USA’s extensive list of MVP, Axiom, and Streamline discs. Don’t forget to visit their store in person if you’re in the Central Illinois area.

RANDOM DUBS

1️⃣ Something made my ears perk up during Tuesday night’s premiere of Best Shot Triples with Oakley, Proctor, and McBeth. Beneath Oakley’s yelling, I heard McBeth and Proctor speculating on Dynamic Discs’ contracts.

The following exchange has since been scrubbed from the video and re-uploaded onto the Whale Pants channel. But here’s what was at the 38:15 mark before it was removed:

McBeth: “[Wysocki’s] contract is only valid if they want to uphold it, ‘cause it’s a new company. So the contract technically could be void.”

Proctor: “Oh, shit. I didn’t know that. Kona’s too probably?”

McBeth: “Yeah. So when companies are in trouble, they’ll go bankrupt or sell the company, and then it’s a brand-new company. So they can start fresh or keep what they want and keep who they want.”

I’m not a lawyer, but there’s one thing for sure though… McBeth is business-savvy, and convos are circulating about DD’s big contracts and their acquisition by House of Discs.

Maybe we can get DiscGolf.Law on the case…

2️⃣ Brodie Smith has had a rough start to the season. Besides his 10th-place finish at TX States, he’s missed the cash line 3 times and hasn’t placed in the top-25.

On Twitter, PDGA Stats pointed out that Smith’s accuracy on long drives has gotten worse from last year. That combined with poor decision-making and nearly double the triple bogeys makes for poor scores.

Drew Gibson would agree and admits to also suffering from Big Boy Syndrome.

MEME OF THE WEEK

Thanks for reading today. Get out and don’t finish last this weekend!

- Charlie