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Signature Disc Giveaway [Part 2/2], DPGT 2024, The new FPO Tour & another PRO-TIP...

Signature Disc Giveaway [Part 2/2], DPGT 2024, The new FPO Tour & another PRO-TIP...

Sean Malone
October 23, 2023

And the winner of the 2023 CALVIN HEIMBURG TOUR SERIES DESTROYER by Innova is:

Watch the LIVE random drawing on our IG profile:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyr-ykGKzOX/
Make sure to “Follow” the account - much appreciated!

Congrats jramsay!

So excited for you!

Please look for an email from [email protected] to confirm your shipping address, and your FREE disc will be on it's way!

And now, let’s get into today’s newsletter…

Estimated read time: 7 minutes 20 seconds

THIS WEEK’S TWO SCOOPS:

The 2024 DGPT Schedule Throws A Change-Up

Exciting Announcements for the 2024 Season

Daily Disc Golfers!

The Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) is coming back in 2024 with a bang!

With 2023 in the rearview mirror, it's time to set our sights on what promises to be an exhilarating 2024 season.

They’ve taken a deep dive into planning this upcoming season with the ultimate goal of enhancing the experience for both players and fans alike.

Buckle up and get ready for a roller-coaster ride of top-tier Disc Golf action!

The 2024 Schedule Unveiled

In a move that has been the talk of the town, the DGPT has announced its 2024 season schedule.

The curtain-raiser for the season is an exciting departure from past traditions: the Tour is set to kick off in the sunny state of Florida!

Yes, you read that right.

Instead of the familiar southwest US beginnings in Nevada (Las Vegas Challenge) or Arizona (The Memorial), Florida will now be the battleground for the season's early movers and shakers.

The itinerary for next year’s professional disc golf tour is as follows:

Why Florida?

Tampa, FL Disc Golf

The decision to start in Florida is not arbitrary. It stems from the DGPT's commitment to minimizing cross-country travel, ensuring players get the most out of their season without the undue strain of extensive travel.

As mentioned in their official press release, the aim is:

"The aim for the 2024 season is designed as the foundation of our long-term planning and Tour Card Holder support for limiting cross-country travel each season."

Jeff Spring - CEO of DGPT

From Florida, the Tour will meander through Texas, grace the Southeast, and then head westward for the West Coast showdown.

A brief stint in the Midwest, with the optional detour to Finland for the European Open, will be followed by a return to the east in preparation for the grand World Championships, the DGPT Playoffs, and the season's two crowning jewels: the USDGC and Champions Cup.

DGPT CEO and Tour Director, Jeff Spring, couldn’t have put it better:

“The 2024 season schedule is a blend of legacy and innovation. We aim to enhance the world's best events while crafting a logical, geographically-friendly route. This approach benefits not only the players but also the fans, ensuring that the DGPT experience is immersive, both onsite and online."

A New Era: Elimination of Silver Events

The DGPT, in its continuous pursuit of excellence, has revamped its structure for 2024.

Silver events, which were known to offer fewer points and didn't often attract the top-tier professionals, are no longer part of the lineup.

We're now looking at four primary event categories:

DGPT
DGPT+
DGPT Playoff
PDGA Major

Each of these categories has a distinct points structure.

For instance, while a DGPT event victory bags 100 points for the winner, triumphing in a DGPT Playoff event can earn the winner a whopping 150 points!

The idea is to rank events based on their prestige, and consequently, allocate points that befit their stature.

However, DGPT is not just about exclusivity.

Recognizing the value of second-tier events, DGPT shared,

“Select U.S. Silver Events from past seasons will form the DGPT Qualifying Series, offering players a golden chance to earn their Tour Card for the subsequent season.”

SILVER EVENTS REMOVED FROM TOUR

The following Silver events are not getting brought onto the 2024 primary Tour:

Lake Marshall Open
New World Championship
Blue Ridge Championship
Cascade Challenge
Zootown Open
Kansas City Wide Open
Mid-America Open
Rochester Flying Disc Open
Discmania Open

Only 2 of the 11 Silvers from 2023 — Texas State and Beaver State Fling — got the call up.

It’s also worth noting that there are no announced wraparound events this fall/winter.

Tournament Shakeup!

The 2024 season will witness several tournaments being added, some elevated, and a few making their exit.

Let’s spin into the details:

New Entries:
Florida is not just the starting point of the tour but also the location for the brand new 'Florida Open'.

It's noteworthy to mention the ongoing lawsuit against McCease LLC, associated with the Gran Canyon property.

This, however, should not detract from the excitement of the new entry!
Elevation:
A few tournaments like the 'Texas State Championships' and the 'Beaver State Fling' are making a roaring comeback in the DGPT roster after a hiatus.

Similarly, 'Waco Annual Charity Open' and the 'Discraft Great Lakes Open' are getting bumped up, a testament to their success and popularity.
Departures:
While we usher in the new and celebrate the return of the old, it's also time to bid adieu to some stalwarts like the 'Las Vegas Challenge' and the 'PCS Open'.

It's important to note that while they don't feature in the current lineup, their legacy remains intact.

More To Come!

Picture Credit: Jack Tupp

While the above encapsulates a significant chunk of the 2024 plan, there's more in the pipeline:

The DGPT is soon to unveil plans for the continuation of the "United Series," a testament to its commitment to inclusivity and gender equity.
European fans, fret not! The DGPT hasn’t forgotten you. Plans for European events are under wraps and will be disclosed soon.
Details about player qualification for each of the Playoff events are still being fine-tuned and will be communicated in the coming days.

As anticipation builds for the 2024 season, the DGPT remains committed to its vision: to promote the sport, uphold its legacy, and offer unmatched experiences to players and fans.

Stay tuned, stay excited, and see you on the green!

“The United Series” Appears To Have Traction

United Series and Reinstating FPO Division at Upcoming Events

About 2 months back, there was a landmark decision made and the DGPT announced the launch of the "United Series."

If you didn’t know, this new series underscores our commitment to both inclusivity and competitive fairness in the sport.

One of the highlights of the United Series is that it will permit transgender women, like Natalie Ryan, to compete in the FPO at specific events.

Moving forward: The Ledgestone Open’s Dual Designation

The Ledgestone Open will now be both a DGPT and a United Series event.

An exciting update for the Ledgestone Open (and other events to come): they will now function as both a DGPT event and a United Series event.

This change ensures a wider representation and a more inclusive approach to the sport.

United Series' Regional Focus

It's worth noting that the United Series will be featured in states known for their strong anti-discrimination laws centered around gender identity.

In these states, transgender women participating in the United Series need to meet one of the three PDGA criteria for their Gender-Based Division Eligibility policy.

In a recent statement, Jeff Spring expressed his views on the matter,

“Gender eligibility is a topic that transcends the sport of disc golf. The DGPT has consistently showcased its commitment to inclusion while addressing competitive fairness. The United Series is our effort to offer both. Our ongoing dialogue with players has shaped this durable solution that we believe caters to all.”

The Bigger Picture: Keeping the Spirit of Disc Golf Alive

I think we can all agree that fostering a sport environment where every individual feels respected and included is the only way to move forwad. With this said, it's essential to preserve the competitive spirit and integrity of disc golf.

The sentiment among players is mixed.

Some, like Kristin Tattar, believe in stricter eligibility criteria, while others, like Sarah Hokom, feel that the United Series, though not perfect, is a step forward.

Looking Ahead

The DGPT envisions the United Series extending into 2024 and beyond.

They believe that this new series will pave the way for a more inclusive, fair, and competitive future for the sport of disc golf.

Time will tell… and we shall see.

What are your thoughts on this?
(hit reply and tell me, or drop a comment below!)

PRO-TIP:

Shake That Money Maker… Right?

Coach T from Slingshot has done it again.

He has a knack for simplifying complex techniques, and his recent explanation on the role of the hips in disc golf is no exception.

In this vid, he meticulously breaks down what your hips are truly meant to do during a disc golf throw, emphasizing the significance of proper form.

A compelling testament to Coach T's expertise is the transformative journey of one of his students.

Imagine this: initially struggling to hit the 300-foot mark, one of his students, under Coach T's guidance, tapped into the true potential of engaging the hips.

The result?

A whopping increase of more than 200 feet, with the student now consistently maxing out at an impressive 525 feet!

All this, thanks to a singular tip about hip engagement!

For those who dream of mastering the disc's flight, this is a game-changer.

Witness this technique in action and dive deeper into its nuances by watching Coach T's freshly dropped YouTube video by clicking here.

And if you, like me, are now a newfound fan of Coach T's approach, join his discord community and engage in lively discussions by hopping into his Discord server: Join Coach T’s Discord Conversation.

In fact, he’s breaking down Cole Redalen’s form in the coming days, you don’t wanna miss it!