👊 Random Draw Tuesday - June 25, 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, KJ USA’s favorite Destroyer, 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 👊 

The Preserve had it all. Big crowds, quick downpours, and blazing hot rounds made it races ‘til the end.

But what enhanced or distracted the action was the Prodigy T2 baskets that spit more than the ‘Hawk Tuah Girl.’ So let’s beat this dead horse one more time.

In front of thousands of spectators and many more at home, there were several spit-outs that affected more than what should be possible. What’s worse, the argument for putting’s loss of “touch” had no place here.

During the pre-event presser, Phill Diloné (DGPT Asst. TD) shared they’re drafting more standards for the already-approved baskets. These are being worked directly with the Player’s Council.

The plan is to reduce the number of baskets approved for use on Tour, possibly next season. So change is coming, and hopefully, the current Prodigy T2s and DD Veterans won’t make the shortlist.

#2 👊

The next generation is here. It’s a changing of the guard on Tour.

While we applaud the field’s young guns every other week, this time, we’re celebrating career longevity. Even if Wysocki can’t overcome his 7-year Major drought, he’s a threat at almost every Elite.

And at Cale’s Gotta Go Throw’s place, the 31-year-old whipped out the Raptor Legs for the third time. Another example of veteran success was Catrina Allen.

At 8 months pregnant, she carried her bag every day, finished T16, and even beat recent Portland Open winner Paige Pierce by two. This is her last DGPT event, and she hopes to return for the Green Mountain Championship (Sept).

On the other side of the coin, The Preserve was another lackluster event for Paul McBeth. Finishing in 53rd, it was his 4th event of 2024 where he missed cash.

To put that in perspective, he missed cash only three times from 2010 to 2023 (not including DNFs). He may not be as consistent as before, but McBeast still has a good shot at Worlds on his designed courses.

#3 👊

In the past 10 days, KJ USA went to Bonnaroo, abruptly left Prodigy, joined Innova, and had his third-best finish (T28) this season. Despite the muted announcement on Friday, he’s had a pretty good start to summer.

The details of his sponsor swap will likely be kept in the dark, but here’s what’s out there:

• KJ can’t speak on any details due to an NDA.

• Will Schusterick (Prodigy Sales Director) said, “It was a good opportunity for [KJ] and made sense for both parties.”

• The contract length was not announced, but if I had to guess, he’s on the team until the end of next season.

Either way, KJ’s already comfortable with his new Innova bag filled with old plastic.

Days after this news, Innova made another mid-season move by picking up Connor Rock. Not only is he the LVC winner who beat Buhr & Heimburg, but he took down the Beehive Classic in Ogden, UT and is leading the Q-Series points standings.

#4 👊

This isn’t the first time I’ve talked about Joonas Merelä, nor will it be the last. He’s the coach for the Finnish national team and is very dedicated to his craft.

Recently, he shared one of his many light bulb moments. The age-old adage of slow is smooth, smooth is far is wrong.

To further prove his point, I found a completely unrelated tip from Babcock & Buhr on Bodanza’s channel. When throwing power FHs (400-450’), the key is to “keep things nice and smooth” and add “a little extra acceleration at the end.”

It should be a stock throw but ending harder and faster. So really, the phrase should be: Slow is smooth, THEN fast is far.

#5 👊

Over the weekend, another DGPT event took place at “the best course on the planet, and it’s not even close.” In Nol, Sweden, the Ale Open was the Tour’s fourth Silver event.

In MPO, Daniel Davidsson won by four strokes and has been declared by his peers to be Europe’s best BH driver. In FPO, Silva Saarinen continued her insane win streak with 4 in a row.

This weekend, the DGPT’s third European Elite will remain in Sweden. The Swedish Open marks the beginning of increased American participation.

The following pros are trading pond hopping for a lengthy Euro trip and are staying for 4-5 weeks.

• MPO: Ricky Wysocki, Eagle McMahon, Paul McBeth, Bradley Williams, James Proctor, Joey Buckets, James Conrad

• FPO: Ella Hansen

Thanks for reading today. Get out and listen to Sockibomb’s song this week!

- Charlie