👊 Random Draw Tuesday - July 30, 2024

Random Draw Tuesday 🤜🤛

Hello and welcome. This is Charlie from The Players Meeting. 

Every week, I handpick the 5 best things I saw in the past 7 days. These could be storylines, highlights, memes, Gossage’s Estonian gift, or even news.

But no matter what, it will always be about disc golf AND only what I find interesting.

Let’s get into it.

#1 👊 

Now add in Paul McBeth coming alive in Europe, and you’ve got something to really cry about. The Europe Swing’s last event had all the fanfare worthy of its finale.

From the iconic starting hole to Nike sponsorships, the European Disc Golf Festival showed off Estonia’s love for the sport and how production, venue, and crowds can be taken to the next level.

And while the park-style course wasn’t super tough or interesting, it was great entertainment. Ricky Wysocki used his superpower, fed off of the 4,000-strong crowd, and did “just enough to get the job done.”

Wysocki completed his tear through Europe and has his game dialed.

• He’s won 3 times in the past 5 weeks

• Shot 3 course records in 3 straight weeks

• Shot the 3rd highest-rated round ever (1119)

In FPO, Missy “Just Hang Around and Win” Gannon did what she does best. Her 1-hole playoff victory against Eveliina Salonen solidified her #1 spot in the Tour standings.

Conversely, Kristin Tattar did not show up to the biggest event in her home country. She finished 8th, tying her worst FPO finish (2018 Worlds), but continued her streak of never missing a Top-10 in her career.

Either way, she and both fields have a year to prepare for back-to-back Majors in Europe. Come July 17, 2025, the Tour will be back at the Song Festival Grounds, followed by Worlds 10 days later in Finland.

#2 👊

Disc golf is a mental game. And no matter how good you get at it, it’s easy to fold to anger after a silly mistake or unlucky kick.

Many pros like to release that anger by taco’ing their putter. Two Saturdays ago, Simon Lizotte did that after missing his putt on Hole 16 at the European Open.

He later signed it, gave it away, and its new owner posted it up for auction. In a Swedish FB group, his folded Pixel sold for SEK 5.000 (~$463 USD).

Who knew Swedes love tacos so much?

#3 👊

Fifty-two minutes in, Casey White struck gold with his European Open vlog. He captured what will be considered another cult-classic Ken Climo story from the one and only Gregg Barsby.

In the clip, Barsby recounts his 2009 Masters Cup roller ace. His story has it all: a Kenny impression, Feldberg reaction, cigarette in mouth, and how his disc rolled into DeLa’s Hole 4.

Do yourself a favor and watch the 2.5-minute clip. Then follow it up with a re-watch of Barsby’s “The Iron Leaf.”

#4 👊

The 3rd DGPT+ event starts in TWO days. This year, the Ledgestone Open will play 4 rounds at Eureka Lake (MPO) and 4 rounds at Sunset Hills (FPO).

The once-called Major of the Midwest is one course less epic this year. Northwood Park was already featured at the Champions Cup three months ago and will not torture players this weekend.

For those who stayed in Europe, this will be a very quick turnaround. I expect many social media posts that will cite jet lag, lack of practice days, etc., as an excuse for poor play.

With that said, here’s who you should keep an eye on during this long weekend:

• Both Ohn Scoggins & Holyn Handley took a break, skipped Europe, and are in prime position to win their first Ledgestone. None of the European players will be here.

• This event helped earn Big Money Missy Gannon’s namesake. She’s the 2x defending champ and looks to stack on more winnings.

• Ricky Wysocki’s momentum feels unmatchable. He’s already won Ledgestone 3x, and another win here would push him into the POTY convo.

• Last year, Cole Redalen won easily by 5 strokes. This year, his season hasn’t been very flashy, but a great finish here will do wonders.

#5 👊

Ladies & Gents, it’s time for the yearly Disc Golf Fandom Survey, and it’s bigger than ever.

Created by the marketing research group First Available Research (FAR) in partnership with Ultiworld, this 20-minute, anonymous survey will probe your feelings about certain pros, manufacturers, commentators, and more.

The survey closes on August 26th, so do your part and take it now. It’s the perfect Tuesday to put off some work, throw on the Olympics, and record how much you love or hate Paul McBeth.

After the survey closes, FAR and Ultiworld will publish several articles that break down what makes us weirdos tick. Last year, my readers made up at least 3% of the 3,000 participants.

 Take the survey here. For the final question, pick “Other” and say “The Players Meeting.” Let’s pump that number up!

Thanks for reading today. Get out and throw this week!

- Charlie