⏱️ Is it Time for new rules?

Ledgestone Experience, Judgement Day, and TX Blooms

August 11, 2022

Hello and welcome, this is The Players Meeting. The only newsletter that gives you the same feeling as hitting the gap on a tunnel shot.Email Read Time: 5 Minutes & 17 Seconds

If you missed the MAO recap, then I got you: The Mid-American Sauna

Let’s get into it.

On The Clock

The ever-popular time violation debate has resurfaced after the Mid America Open. Gannon Buhr was chasing down his good buddy, Alden Harris, live on Sunday’s lead card.

With the chase card long gone, Buhr’s routine (chalk bag, wind check, grip check, repeat) was on full display. This gave pros and fans much to say on the topic.

Buhr violated the 30s rule on nearly every throw including tee shots and routine C1 putts. Some say this is a bad look for the sport and DGPT… It hurts the live broadcast, creates awkward dynamics, and gives an advantage to those who do it.

So how do we peel this orange? Here are some suggestions:

  • Take away self-officiating with more marshals - on specific cards, holes, or as many as possible

  • Big Jerm suggests increasing to 45s with 2 announced extensions at any point

  • Switch to a pace of play rule without a defined limit. If there’s an obviously slow group, then they will be marshaled along

So what’s your take? Remember to consider what’s even possible in the current state of the Pro Tour.

Ledgestone Open

PREVIEW (8/11-14)

This is a culmination of the year-long hype generated by Nate Heinold’s crew. Their constant drops of limited edition plastic have finally come to a close.

But it doesn’t line their pockets, this is the largest charitable event in all disc golf. Since 2014, they’ve raised over $382k for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and other organizations.

Even with that, this isn’t just any event. Ledgestone is an experience for 2200 players all week long. There are 11 flex C-tiers, socials, player signings, dunk tanks, etc.

Starting today, pros will tackle 2 rounds of Northwood sandwiched between 2 of Eureka Lake. This could be the hardest combo of courses on Tour.

Eureka’s OB ropes paired with Northwood’s impossible woods will test players in all aspects. These next 4 days will be the most important outside of Majors.

LAST YEAR RECAP

MPO/ Starting with defending Champ, Ricky Wysocki, tying Drew Gibson for the hot 1st round (-11, 1084 rated) at Eureka. Then Northwood Black gave everyone trouble.

On the course’s premiere, Calvin Heimburg’s course record -7 (1062 rated) gave him the lead over Gibson & Wysocki. Then in Round 3, Wysocki caught up to Heimburg, and the pair ended tied for 1st.

Championship Sunday started and ended abruptly with a bang. Lead card was on hole 4 when lightning forced players off the course, and play was suspended.

Trying to wait it out, the DGPT canceled the final round hours later causing a unique finish. Tied after 3 rounds, Heimburg & Wysocki became co-champs.

FPO/ Things played out a bit differently for the women. All 4 rounds were finished, and they played 2 rounds of Sunset Hills (old ball golf course) sandwiched by 2 of Northwood Black Short.

It was another one of those runaway victories by Paige Pierce. She never let up the entire weekend - averaging 998 rated golf. Her lead started at 3 and ended at 11 strokes better than the field. This was only her 2nd Ledgestone title.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Starting today, JohnE McCray AND Kristin Tattar are back on Tour.

Since his heart attack in February, McCray has returned to competitive shape. He’s already racked up 3 wins including Masters World Champ, so keep the man on your radar as he’s always in the hunt.

After an incredible start, Tattar has been out for over 3 months. She’s been dealing with hand/elbow pain due to a pinched nerve. Still experiencing some pain when throwing powerful hyzers, she plans to stay until the DGPT finale.

You’ll be able to watch live all weekend on DGN, but for Northwood days the broadcast will start on the Back 9. Or on next-day coverage from JomezPro, Gatekeeper Media, and GK Pro.

Today’s Edition is Sponsored by Powergrip USA

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Save 10% on every order this month with code PLYRSMTGAUG22. Happy shopping, my friends.

Random Dubs

1️⃣ On Tuesday, the PDGA ban hammer came down on Nikko Locastro. He’s suspended for 9 months with 15 months probation by the Disciplinary Committee for a Class A offense.

Some think it’s too little while others think it’s too much, so it’s probably a good result for Locastro. Based on past suspensions and the A classification, he could’ve been hit with 24 months instead.

Now he’ll miss the rest of the season and the 1st quarter of 2023, but he’ll hop back on Tour May 8th. And there will be plenty of events left for Locastro to show he’s changed if at all.

2️⃣ To get more women involved, a few Texans are running a women-only tour in 2023. The Wildflower Disc Golf Tour features 8 stops all in TX.

The crew is sponsored by Mint Discs and originated from this year’s successful WTF Open (>70 women). Krissie Fountain, Renae Farr, and Des Reading decided the one event wasn’t enough, so they created “a tour by women, for women.”

You can support the efforts by buying a fundraiser Mint disc or help grow women’s involvement in your own state.

Rivalry of the Week

Thanks for reading today. Get out and start something this weekend!

- Charlie

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