👑 Short course kings

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The only newsletter where it’s better to be lucky than good 🍀.

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If you missed WACO’s recap, then I got you: Wacky WACO

Let’s get into it.

SHORT COURSE KING

Name a more iconic duo… Early season & Golf course hate.
Before we move on to the next TX stop (ball golf course), let’s reminisce about the weekend at the shortest course on Tour.

In the past few years, WACO’s the BEast has gained traction as a Tour favorite due to its tendency for drama. At the same time, pros have a love/hate relationship with it.

• Some complain there’s too much luck involved

• Others love the wooded reprieve from “throw as far as you can 5 times”

So what makes this event exciting? Why should we see more of it?

• Feels like anybody’s game. Nobody will run away with it because of the hole and shot shape variety

• Short, wooded holes keep pros in check. They have to execute a “simple” shot when it matters

• Viewers can relate more to pros struggling on short holes

• More drama equals more eyes & money, especially with FPO

• The last 3 chase card victories happened at WACO, Maple Hill & Idlewild. Is it a coincidence those 3 are up there as favorites?

With all that in mind, WACO will likely change with the addition of a golf course to the BEast. The Tour has moved towards that template so coverage quality, spectator numbers, and sport legitimacy can continue trending up.

As always, the question without a clear answer… How can we grow the sport without taking away the reason we fell in love with it?

HIT THE COURSE ANYTIME WITH BIRDIE PRO

Beat your friends on and off the course. The DG board game - Birdie Pro - is currently funded to $10k+ with >130 backers.

In the game, you’ll use skill chips (driving, putting, & focus) to run the ace like Hammes or channel McBeast to save par. Back the Kickstarter today.

THE OPEN AT AUSTIN

PREVIEW (3/17-19)

Following up the short king on Tour is a new event with a new course. The Open moved 60 miles south from Belton to Austin’s Harvey Penick Golf Campus.

This new Tour stop is thriving as UDisc’s #8 city with Mint Discs’ headquarters and SXSW happening down the street. Paige Pierce & other music-loving pros will be checking out the festivities.

As for the never-before-seen temp course, it’s a complete 180 in style from WACO:

• Open ball golf

• Lots of OB-lined fairways, hazard bunkers, and mandos

• Water features won’t really come into play

• Dangerous, undulating greens

• An elite sidearm (>400ft) will be an advantage

• Managing landing zones and expectations is important

With all those differences, the course does have one thing in common with The BEast… At 8,700ft, it’s a shortie compared to other stops.

THE OPEN @ BELTON RECAP

MPO/ 🥇Chris Dickerson (-25) 🥈Paul McBeth & Ricky Wysocki (-22) 🥉Nikko Locastro (-21)

In this Silver Event, Dickerson battled TX winds and a McBeast looking for his 3rd win in a row. By Final Round, he transformed into Robot Chicken and let the field battle for 2nd in this wire-to-wire win.

FPO/ 🥇Catrina Allen (-16) 🥈Valerie Mandujano (-15) 🥉Kristin Tattar (-14)

It was nearly a chase card victory by Mandujano, but the reigning world champ clutched up to birdie Hole 18 and win her 2nd event of 2022.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

For possibly the 1st time this year, the full MPO field will battle it out. We’ll get to see the likes of Wysocki (🤞), Lizotte, McMahon, and Dickerson in the early season.

The gang’s all here, and none of them have experience on this track. Will Lizotte prove his golf course advantage? Or can Wysocki stay healthy enough to add another TX win to his belt?

DRIVE FOR SHOW WITH POWERGRIP USA

Powergrip is a multi-continental retailer AND team sponsor. Along with Big Sexy & Lizotte, the Finnish Phenoms - Eveliina Salonen & Henna Blomroos - are additions to Team Powergrip.

Releasing today (3/16) at 12PM ET are the latest from Trilogy’s new manufacturing conglomerate - Savior, Trust, Glory, & Felon. Add some zero-flashing plastic to your bag along with the Finns’ latest distance hack - Innova Charger.

Use code LONGDAYS2023 for 20% off non-sale items.

RANDOM DUBS

1️⃣ Hey all you cool cats and kittens, there’s a non-profit called Discers 4 Whiskers that’s been active for over 12 years. They’re trying to create a National Network of DG pet food events.

These events raise funds to donate pet food to local pantries. That sounds great, so how do you get involved? You can host your own event with their guidance or check for a Discers 4 Whiskers event by you.

Visit their site for more info or reach out to Jim Gilbert. Help keep pets in loving homes and out of shelters by throwing frisbees.

2️⃣ Listen to 2x World Champ and Hall of Famer - Barry Schultz - when he says to trim down the # of molds in your bag. We all love trying new discs, but when it comes to competition you need a better game plan.

The Barry method means only carrying a few molds you love and trust. Bag 2-5 discs in that mold of varying wears, plastics, or just duplicates.

Being comfortable with them can give you the confidence to play to your full potential. “You’ll be better with it if you think you’re better with it.”

So save your new triple-foil gyro for casual rounds, and be like Barry with 4-5 Aviars & Rocs on tournament day.

MEME OF THE WEEK

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

- Charlie