The Road To The World Championships

Hey Daily Disc Golfer!

So here we are, another lazy Sunday morning, and yours truly is grindin' away, cookin' up this fresh edition of the Daily Disc Golfer Newsletter.

Monster and I?

Oh, we just barely scraped through an epic 80's surprise bash last night. Leg warmers, neon shades, the whole shebang! And let me tell ya, the costume game? On point. 🕶️

When our disc golfin' compadre, Kate, rolled into her crib for her surprise party?

Tears, my friends.
Pure joy-tears.

Now, as wicked-rad as that was, Monster and I are basically buzzin' outta our skins for what's coming up.

Drumroll... The 2023 World Disc Golf Championship! 🥏🏆

And the cherry on this rad sundae? We're packin' our bags and hittin' the road to VERMONT to catch all the action LIVE! #SoPumped

Anyway, let’s get into it…

Estimated read time: 4 minutes 29 seconds

THIS WEEK’S SCOOP:

The Road To The World Championship…

Who’s gonna win?

Guess what time it is? If you're thinking "turkey dinner," you're a few months early.

We're ramping up for the 2023 World Disc Golf Championship in the lush playground known as Vermont. 😍

Now, anyone who's tossed a disc knows it ain't a walk in the park to grab that World Champ title.

In this sport, you've gotta evolve or be left behind.

From our greenhorn players transforming into eagle-eyed pros (thanks to a lil' mentor love from the top dogs) to those mad scientist manufacturers in the labs, constantly cookin' up next-gen discs that just soar... and I mean literally defy gravity! 💿✨

Heck, this sport's got kiddos barely out of middle school already looking like they're on the path to stardom. Enter players like Gannon Buhr, or Cole Redalen.

And thanks to our sugar-daddy sponsors digging deep into their pockets, teams are poppin', individual player sponsorships are booming, and those courses?

Whew, they're stretching out like they've had a teenage growth spurt and continue leveling up for players to throw and spectators to catch all the action.

But yo, the World Champs?
They've got their own flavor.

Five rounds, not four.
That means you've gotta bring that A+++ game.
(Especially after a pretty long and grueling season)
No pressure, right? 🤪 

And let's spill some tee: while some folks are busy debating player consistency over a season is the metric that makes the best player, in the end, it's those shiny World Championship trophies that count, Am I right?

It's the ultimate mic-drop for any pro disc golfer.

Who's the GOAT?
Count the World Title trophy bling! 🐐🏆

Now, a quick trip down memory lane:

Last year it came down to the wire for the MPO division…

But have you heard about Paul recently? Man's been MIA for the last few tourneys, nursing a moody shoulder and just announced he and Hannah have a baby on the way. But if Insta's to be believed, he's prepped and pumped for kick-off this Wednesday.

And for the FPO division?

Well, there’s only one name that comes to mind… Kristin Tattar.

From the words of the Zoolander, “That Kristin is HOT right now!”

Straight outta the European Championships, snatching that win with flair, and now she's got Estonia putting medals on her!

But whispers around the campfire talk about some old elbow troubles. Repeat win or dramatic plot twist - that’s the question? 🤷

If history were to repeat itself, here’s a quick look:

And for the future?

Who's on fire this season? 🔥

There’s so many names that we could put at the top of the list, but here’s my top 8 picks…

1. Paul McBeth 
   Dancing between the #1 and #2 spots at the world championships since, what, 2012? And let’s be real, he might just be the GOAT when it comes to the fine art of chucking discs.
   

2. Simon Lizotte 
   Step aside, folks, the spotlight’s bestie has arrived! Simon’s bagged a few shiny medals this year and seems like he's found his frisbee Zen with MVP. And now that he’s swimming in one of disc golf's ritziest sponsorships, our boy’s looking sharper than a brand-new disc. His throws? Poetry in motion.
   

3. Eagle McMahon 
   Remember when Eagle was the kingpin of DGPT? With a putt game that could charm the birds from the trees, he's our dark horse for world's best. Those unreachable holes? Eagle’s playground. He’s had some top-tier stats with the GMC, but only time will tell if he can flex those 2022 European Open vibes.
   

4. Calvin Heimburg 
   “Big C’s” sitting pretty as numero uno globally, but World Champs? Uh... not his best playground. Despite his rollercoaster World's history, you can’t ignore his DGPT trophy collection. Will this be his breakthrough? Hold onto your putters, kids.
   

5. Gannon Buhr 
   This 18-year-old prodigy's packing heat with a #5 global rank and the reigning USDGC champ title under his belt. I'm not saying he'll snatch the win, but if you’re not betting on a top 10 finish, he’s your guy? Future world champ vibes? Heck yeah. And lowkey hoping for more of those hilarious Alden Harris vids if he does.
   

6. Isaac Robinson 
   Alright, keep an eye on this sneaky talent. Brewster Ridge and Fox Run are basically his backyard. While most are fawning over Gannon, let’s not snooze on our boy Isaac.
   

7. Ricky Wysocki 
   Ricky’s been itching for a big W. Globally rocking the #2 spot and fresh off a Preserve victory – it’s high time, right? But Emporia 2022? Maybe he wanted it too much. Now, imagining Ricky nailing those 40-footers and doing his iconic raptor strut? Priceless.
   

8. Chris Dickerson 
   Consistency’s the name of his game. But those World ranks? A mixed bag of tricks. He's had a chill 2023, rocking only 10 tournaments. And even if he hasn't replicated that stellar 2020 form, don’t sleep on Chris. Plus, just imagine the wild camo-and-orange ensemble Discraft might whip up for his victory lap.

What about the FPO you ask? Here’s my top 8.

1. Kristin Tattar 
   When you're on a roll, you're on a roll. World champ and points boss? That's our gal Tattar! If betting's your game, she’s like that vintage vinyl you snag on every visit. Even if she's not taking the gold, Miss Never-Below-Top-10 since July 2022 is always a solid choice.
   

2. Hailey King 
   She’s the rock star with the course record at Fox Run. And let's not even talk about those world championships placements! Her secret sauce? That combo of wooded courses mastery and her killer instinct on the fairways. The hiccup? An OB rate that might make you wince, especially with those unforgiving white stakes at Fox Run.
   

3. Catrina Allen 
   Still shining bright at 38, Catrina's the name that just won't quit. Keep those eyes peeled for FPO 40 – she’s coming! We all know this chica’s got some wins in her pocket. First-round magic? She could totally steal the show.
   

4. Holyn Handley 
   Can we just talk about how Holyn's been almost there this entire year? Sure, Smuggs might not have her name in its books, but with 10 DGPT Top 5s, this year? She could very well be the dark horse you didn’t see coming, especially if her putting game's on fire.
   

5. Henna Blomroos 
   Runner-up at both Worlds and GMC in 2022? That’s our Henna! She’s got the arm to make Fox Run look like child’s play. Buckle up if she nails that initial putt ‘cause she'll take us on a wild ride to the top!
   

6. Ohn Scoggins 
   The crème de la crème of FPO putters and a 3x FPO 40 women's champ! But Fox Run's distance? Might just throw her off her game. But I'd watch out for her on Brewster - those putts are her “chef's kiss”.
   

7. Ella Hansen 
   I can hear the gasps. Ella? Yes! 2023’s unpredictable star. She's got the prowess to give Tattar a run for her discs. But stringing four top-notch rounds? With 6, 1000+ rated rounds this year, I'd say keep an eye on this one.
   

8. Valerie Mandujano 
   Post-ankle-injury Valerie might've been low-key, but remember those 2022 wins? She's the underdog ready to challenge Tattar. Her fairway game? Nearly unmatched. Just hoping she navigates those OBs.

Location check-in… 

We’re headed to the legendary "Smugs" AKA Smugglers Notch.

It's serving us double trouble with two elite level courses, Brewster Ridge and Fox Run Meadows.

Be ready for those loooong drives and "did-I-just-see-a-ghost?" forest gaps.

With all those uphill-downhill ski town vibes, players better have their mountain goat mode on.

Word on the green is "Smugs" has left many a pro teary-eyed.

Buckle up, it’s gonna be one wild ride!

Want the scoop on Smugglers Notch?

1. Course #1 - Brewster Ridge UDisc Profile - CLICK HERE

   • 2023 PDGA Caddie Book - Brewster Ridge - CLICK HERE

   • 2023 Course Map - Brewster - CLICK HERE
     

2. Course #2 - Fox Run Meadows UDisc Profile - CLICK HERE

   • 2023 PDGA Caddie Book - Fox Run Meadows - CLICK HERE

   • 2023 Course Map - Fox Run Meadows - CLICK HERE

Want the Event Deets?

• PDGA Event Site - CLICK HERE

• Watch Live on Disc Golf Network - CLICK HERE

• DGPT Event Site - CLICK HERE

So, who's your money on? Drop me a line and spill it. I’m Always here for the tee. ☕😉

PRO-TIPS:

The “BRACE” in Disc Golf

Pop quiz time: What's the secret sauce in amping up those throws?

If your mind shouted "THE BRACE!", then you've been paying attention.

And if not?
No worries, we got you!

Mikey and Josh, from the legend-status Overthrow Disc Golf Youtube Channel, have turned into Sherlock and Watson for this one, breaking down the 'brace' element in disc golf.

So, whether you're still in your disc golf diapers or you've been slingin' them longer than Yoda's been dropping wisdom, you NEED to check this out.

🔹 Here's the DL (Down Low for you newbies):

• First off, wrap your brain around this brace business. It's simple, but oh boy, is it a game-changer!

• Wanna stop your momentum without faceplanting? This vid is the 411.

• Dig into some juicy drills. We're talking about getting that brace down like it’s your favorite dance move.

• And fam, always remember: We're shooting for the stars, but even NASA had to start somewhere. Progress over perfection, always!

Alright, I’m throwing the frisbee in your court now.

Slide into those comments or DMs (or hit reply) and spill the beans:
Which style of brace has you grooving, and has it transformed your game?

Let's chat! 😜🥏

-sean 🔥🕺

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