The 2021 European champion is making his US debut.
February 21, 2022 by Bogi Bjarnason, Jesse Weisz and Steve Andrews in Interview with comments
Niklas Anttila at the 2020 Prodigy Disc Pro Tour – Tampere. Photo: Mikko Koskinen
This is the the second of our Q&A interviews in our European Re-Open series that highlights European disc golfers as international travel reopens in 2022.
The Finns can be a hard bunch to follow. Whenever you think you’ve made sense of who the top crusher du jour is, another wunderkind will break through the 1030 barrier while cruising to a win in an event you thought Simon Lizotte would have on lockdown.
The latest such breakout to take a seat in the pantheon of Paju-Makela-Vikström is the kid from Kuipio: Niklas Anttila. The 1032-rated reigning European champion, who came eerily close to nabbing a six digit PDGA number, has spent more time in the last year on the shooting range of the Finnish military than on the driving range of his home course. He is set to compete in the US starting at the Texas State Championships through the Dynamic Discs Open. Expect him to be back for Worlds and more later in the year.
Read on for a refreshing breath of youthful exuberance; how, despite the odds, Anttila plays the opposite of Army Golf; and a subtle reminder that American disc golfers should be losing their damn minds right about now.
Ultiworld Disc Golf: If you have toured the US before, are there any lessons that you learned that will help prepare you for this year? How is it different from playing in Europe?
Anttila: I haven’t been to the US before. So I’m going there with a humble mindset. I think the biggest difference is that the field is bigger and better than in Europe. There are more players who can win every weekend.
Which event are you most excited about?
I’m most excited about the PDGA Champions Cup. The WR Jackson course suits me well and I am excited to show my accuracy in the woods. Plus, a Major is always huge.
Who are you touring with? How will you get around and what will your accommodation be like?
I am coming with my brothers (basically :D). I think we have seven guys coming from Finland in our company: Väinö Mäkelä, Niko Rättyä, Luukas Rokkanen, Lauri Lehtinen, Ville Ahokas, Mikael Häme.
How are you funding this tour?
Thanks to Discmania, I am able to call disc golf my job. Discmania makes this kind of tour possible!
What would you need to accomplish on this tour for you to consider it a success?
As the level of players increases, I need to have different kinds of goals. Top 10 finishes would be nice and even a top 3 is possible. I just want to be happy with my game, and everything else is extra.
What has been the most difficult aspect of preparing for this tour?
My offseason was pretty short because of my military service which ended in December. Also the cold winter in Finland makes training a bit harder but it won’t stop me. I will be spending about 10 days in Spain before leaving for the US to throw in warmer weather.
Of the three tours this year (DGPT, European Pro Tour, PDGA Euro Tour), which are you most focused on?
Easy. DGPT for sure. I will be playing the European Pro Tour when I am in Europe but my focus is in the US, Majors, and National Titles.
Outside of disc golf, are there places or sights in the US you plan on visiting?
Haven’t planned yet. I think just the fact that everything is so big for a boy like me will be an experience. Hope to see some nice sights and places!
With the amount of young talent coming out of Finland in the past few years you really feel that anyone out of 10 different names could pop off at any given tournament. You were certainly one of the players to watch coming into EDGC Konopiste, but out of a short list of names with similar ratings as you, was there something specific that fueled your break-out performance?
I was coming into that event with high confidence. I had a win streak of three before that event. I just believed in myself and knew that it was possible for me to win.
After witnessing you slice up Franz Ferdinand like a supple side of venison, we’re particularly looking forward to seeing you tackle the Disc Side of Heaven at Jonesboro. It’s notable that your short spring run of US events centers around a series of bomber courses in very windy locales. Is that a deliberate choice, or is it simply the way the stars lined up?
That is just how stars lined up. I am definitely not a bomber. Franz Ferdinand was a course where I shouldn’t have been winning. I think my strength is accuracy and placing my shots on the fairway. I am still excited for the spring.
Given the massive improvement to your game during the COVID-induced split of the continents, you must be chomping at the bit to test your mettle against some North American super stars on their home turf. Is there anyone in particular who you’d like to see joining you on your first round card, and if so, at which event?
Doesn’t really matter. I want to challenge all of them. But if I have to say one name it would be Paul McBeth. I was his big fan growing up and he is still the guy to beat.
Is there any European player, male or female, you are expecting to have a break-out season in the US this year?
I think all of us. Americans will be out of their mind when we get there. Because of COVID, we couldn’t have done it [last year]. I am impressed with the amount of great players we have in Europe nowadays. Now we only have to perform.
Finally; will we see another Linus Carlsson vs. Niklas Anttila battle go down this year? Maybe those will be the Paul vs. Ricky battles of the 2020s?
I really hope so! I am sure Linus and I will push each other to be better in the US too. Can’t wait.
Scottsdale, AZ, February 21, 2022 –(PR.com)– Defending champion, Paul McBeth, is the #2 ranked player in the World and signed the largest contract in disc golf history ($10+ Million) with presenting partner Discraft, based out of Michigan. He will be looking to make it back-to-back Memorial titles in 22’ and will be considered a favorite going into the week. Nationally ranked, local (Mesa) disc golfer Anthony Barela will do his best to give McBeth a run for his money. Anthony (or AB as he’s known around the scene) was the winner of the Shelly Sharpe Memorial in Scottsdale, the first PDGA A-Tier of the season and a Memorial warm-up on the Vista XL championship layout.
Fans are encouraged to come watch and it is free to attend. Tee times start everyday around 7am and the last card of the day will go off around 2pm. Areas will be designated for people to watch and even interact with some top professionals throughout the week! We expect, like previous years, our largest crowds to be Saturday and Sunday in Scottsdale at Vista del Camino Park. You can find a schedule on the event page at DiscGolfScene.com.
The Memorial Championship partners locally with folks like Huss Brewing Co. and Duke’s Sports Bar and Grill to bring the top disc golfers out to compete in the Valley.
The tournament is sanctioned as an A-Tier by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). The PDGA is the international governing body for the sport of disc golf and sanctions well over 5,000 tournaments in all states and 29 countries each year for professional and amateur disc golfers.
Disc Golf, or Frisbee™ Golf as it is also referred to, has seen unprecedented growth during the Covid-19 pandemic and is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. It is a great way to get outside by yourself or with others and can easily allow for social distancing. Disc golf is also very inexpensive to get started, most courses are free to play, and beginner sets (Driver, Midrange & Putter) start as low as $19.99 The sport is played using the same general rules, terminology and etiquette as traditional golf, but instead of using a club to hit a ball into a hole in the ground, the player throws a high-tech flying disc into a standardized target. Most courses are comprised of 18 par rated holes with diverse terrain and natural obstacles and the object, just as in traditional golf, is to play in as few throws of the disc as possible. Competitors carry a bag of approximately 10-20 discs, each one having a different flight characteristic, but the sport can be played recreationally with only one disc. Golf discs are very different in design from the Frisbee™ for throw and catch, they can be skillfully thrown by the sport’s top professional players as far as 500’ with amazing pinpoint accuracy.
Tournament Director Keith Murray stated, “Scottsdale is a world-renowned destination point. We have a thriving disc golf scene here and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to host this premier disc golf event in the Valley of the Sun. Our team, along with Discraft and the PDGA, are confident that we will put together an unforgettable experience for both players and spectators.”
For additional information, please contact Tournament Director, Keith Murray at 480-941-2513.
Grass Valley’s Gregg Barsby finished in sixth place at the 2021 PDGA World Championships, June 26, in Ogden, Utah. The longtime pro won the World Championship in 2018 and has more than 70 wins in his PDGA career. By MarKing, @markingofdg on Instagram
It can be challenging, and It can also be relaxing. It can be played solo, and it can also be a fun way to connect with friends and family. It’s relatively cheap to get started and most courses are free to play. It’s usually outdoors and no two courses are the same. And, it’s socially distanced by nature.
It’s no wonder disc golf has continued to gain in popularity over the years, and that trend wasn’t hindered by the pandemic.
More than 50 million rounds of golf were played around the world in 2020, according to a study conducted by UDisc.com. That’s more than 135,000 disc golf rounds per day.
The Professional Disc Golf Association also saw an increase of 26,632 new players in 2020, marking a 13th straight year of growth.
The sport recently drew global attention after James Conrad’s incredible 247-foot throw-in on the 18th hole of the 2021 PDGA World Championships to force overtime. The crowd in Ogden, Utah, erupted as Conrad charged down the fairway in celebration. Conrad’s “shot heard around the world” is both a viral and defining moment in the sport’s history.
Gregg Barsby, the 2018 PDGA World Champion, has been a pro player for nearly 20 years, and has witnessed disc golf blossom into one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
The Grass Valley native got his start at Condon Park as a teen in the 1990s, and parlayed his countless hours on the course and passion for the sport into a career that has taken him all over the world.
Fresh off his sixth place finish at the 2021 World Championships, I took some time to talk with the No. 20 ranked men’s player in the world about the sport’s popularity, his maturation as a competitor and what he still hopes to accomplish.
FORD: After that James Conrad throw-in on the 18th to force sudden death at the World Championships, the crowd went wild. It seemed indicative of the excitement around the sport and how the sport has grown in popularity. Do you agree?
BARSBY: For sure. I think that through the pandemic a lot of people were exposed to the game because all the other sports weren’t available. So, there’s been a ton of growth as far as new players and people coming into the sport.
And, I mean, there’s not much you can say about what James (Conrad) did. It was unreal. The energy on site was electric. People were hugging people they didn’t know. It was one of those shots that really brings people together, and I think more than anything else it’s a catalyst. A shot like that brings media attention, all these outlets are picking that shot up.”
FORD: You’ve been a pro for awhile now. How has the sport grown over the years?
BARSBY: When I started playing pro I was 15, I was still going to Nevada Union. Back then, there was not really even a tour. When I started touring in 2007, there were maybe a dozen people who were on tour. There wasn’t the amount of people or companies or sponsors that were involved. It was still very much a backyard, grassroots sport. The growth has come from, I think, people that enjoy the game and can see it for what it is.
Besides just being a recreational sport, I think people have fallen in love with it. You’re always in constant pursuit of another level, or being able to control your disc, and getting that empowerment from making great shots or creating great shots. I think people have really fallen in love with it because it’s so much fun to play, it’s relatively inexpensive to get involved and most the courses we play are free. So, the accessibility is there and with the way the world is, things being very expensive, I think it’s a great alternative to a lot of other sports.
Gregg Barsby is currently the No. 20 ranked men’s disc golfer in the world, according to UDisc.com. By MarKing, @markingofdg on Instagram
FORD: As someone who has been a part of the sport as it grew from those early grassroots years, what have been some of the turning points for you along the way?
BARSBY: I think some of the big stepping stones for me were going to Europe and experiencing some different cultures because of the game. It wasn’t that I just went to Europe to experience it, I had a goal in mind, a mission when I first went in 2014. I got top 10 at the European Masters that year and started to make a name for myself across the pond as well. I was able to use disc golf as a platform and catalyst for going to these different places, experiencing different cultures and meeting people from all over the world…
And, obviously I’ve had some great finishes. I’ve got a bunch of top fives in majors, but more than anything when I won the World Championship in 2018, that was a real catapult for what I was doing. I had already been touring relentlessly, pushing for months on end in Europe, doing clinics for months on end and I think winning the championship really put a statement on what I had already been doing, and was more of a validation point.
And, I’ve experienced a little bit of growth since then. I’ve been able to host my own series (Barsby Battle Series) of events. I’ve hosted around 70 of my own events with my girlfriend since I won the World Championship. It kind of gives me the opportunity to meet my fans and my friends all over the place. That was the big one, though. Winning the World Championships is life changing.
FORD: When you look back to your teen years playing at Condon Park, did you ever think this would be your life? That disc golf would pay the bills and take you all over the world?
BARSBY: I always wanted it to be. That’s the big kicker, right? When you’re passionate about what you’re doing, you’re really the only person that can stop it from happening. Over time, I’ve learned from my mistakes, I’ve been able to maneuver through an emerging niche sport and build a fan base, and a friend base — which is more important. If you don’t have the friend base, it’s hard to build a fan base. Your friends are going to promote you through word of mouth and that’s still the strongest form of marketing.
I love thinking back on those times, and thinking back to the people who said I was not going to be able to do this, because I’ve proven them wrong and proven myself right, which is a good feeling.
It doesn’t come easy. Some guys win when they are young, but I feel like having the experience of being on the road for so long, and then finally achieving that ultimate goal of winning the World Championships was more of a reflection and introspective point for me, where I could see that all of the time I put in was really worth it. Now, I’m at a point where I’ve kind of got to make this count. In athletics, you only have a certain amount of time to capitalize on your successes. And, that’s what I’ve been focused on doing.
FORD: How much longer do you think you can compete at this high of a level?
BARSBY: I can see myself playing at a high level until probably my mid-40s. If I can keep my mind and body healthy, I don’t see there being an issue. There are really good players in their 40s that can still compete.
With the pro tour, it’s kind of morphing and some of the courses are getting longer. I’m not known as a very long thrower anymore. I mean I can throw a long way, I can throw 500 feet accurately, but some of these guys can throw a really long way and they have been setting up some of the courses for those long bombers. But, I think I can be competitive in certain arenas into my mid-40s, but like anything, there are certain courses that cater to the game I like to play and other courses where it doesn’t really cater to me too well. As the years go on I think I’ll be able to be a little more definitive in which events i want to play and where I want to spend my energy. Disc golf is a lot different from golf in the sense that our courses vary dramatically. We’ll play on a traditional golf course one weekend, then the next weekend, we’ll be in the tight woods, in the forest.
FORD: What is it about Nevada County that produces high-quality disc golf talent?
BARSBY: We just have a rich history of the sport where we’re from. You know, we’ve got hall of famers in town like Johnny and Geoff Lissaman and Michael Travers. He installed the course in Condon Park in, I think in 1992, and I found a disc in 1993 when my parents moved in across the street. I was brought into this kind of underground culture, and back then it wasn’t as much a social sport, it was more just people who had a love for throwing the disc. We have good mentors in Grass Valley. There are a lot of players that know how to play because, again, we’re rich in history. We were in early and we had a lot of good players in town.
FORD: Tell me about some of the events you host?
BARSBY: We host a slew of different style events, but we mostly do PDGA C Tier events, and we host those on the road in between my tour stops. Players come out, get a demo, a clinic, they play a round, players get a rating, and then they get a custom disc and a whole bunch of swag. We try to make it memorable. We founded the (Barsby) Battle Series on being an entry level way to get your feet wet, and as kind of like a stepping stone to bigger events.
FORD: You recently moved to Texas. What took you to the Lone Star State?
BARSBY: I had talked to my dad about it maybe six years ago, and this was in the throes of touring a bunch. There was about four or five years in a row where I spent 300 days on the road…
From my house here in Tyler, I can get to 10 states within 10 hours. So as far as hosting events and also promoting my line of discs and also the company that I work for promoting my name and my events, I can get to a lot of places. Whereas in California, it’s a 35-hour drive to get to the Midwest.
Also, the scene out here is insane. Houston and Austin both have tens of thousands of disc golfers. There’s multiple clubs in each of these cities. There’s a much bigger scene out here as far as the amount of courses you can play.
FORD: At this stage of your career, is it all about winning the big tourneys?
BARSBY: Totally. The pro tour has been doing a good job of not only promoting the sport but promoting the players as well. They have really nice events and run a super clean show.
At the big events, the cream really does rise to the top, and it really all depends on where your head space is. And that’s where my head has been focused, on the biggest events and on the biggest stages. Sixth place (at Worlds) isn’t exactly what I really wanted, I would have loved to be in the top five, but I did finish higher than the No. 1 player in the world, which was cool. There was a bunch of good players that I beat out at that event. They’ve been beating me all year and then it came to the Worlds and I shot a really good game. But there’s always room for improvement.
The US Open is the one I haven’t won and it’s actually the lowest finish of any of my majors. That’s the one I need to grit my teeth, buckle down and sharpen my skills come early October.
FORD: What would you say to people who dream to be a pro disc golfer?
BARSBY: I would tell them to stay off social media and focus on the game. I think social media is an important component in building your brand, but it’s more important to focus on the things you can control, which is the disc. Just practice hard. And don’t let anyone tell you, ‘you can’t do it.’ Because, ultimately, it’s going to be you who makes that decision.
Eight-year-old Carida Booker, of Delhi, watched by grandmother Christine Guest, plays in the snow Monday along the Waterford Heritage Trail. They were among the many people who took advantage of sunny weather on Family Day to get outdoors. Vincent Balljpg, BR
Area residents took advantage of sunny winter weather to get outdoors and enjoy Family Day.
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“It’s refreshing,” Jackie Murphy said as she watched her son, Spencer, and her granddaughter, Everleigh, toboggan in Waterford. “This is the kind of day I think we all needed.
“We’ve been cooped up for too long. And all us, especially our children, need to get outside and play.”
Murphy enjoyed watching Spencer and Everleigh slide down the hill on the First Concession, just up the road from the Waterford Deer Park. Later, they planned to get some hot chocolate.
Carida Booker, 8, of Delhi, spent time with her five-year-old sister, Fionnagh, and their grandmother, Christine Guest, playing in the snow by the Waterford Heritage Trail.
“This is wonderful,” Guest said. “Just wonderful….”
For those who wanted to learn about Norfolk County’s history, the Waterford Heritage and Agricultural Museum was open.
In Brantford, residents gathered at Harmony Square to skate on the outdoor rink and went swimming at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre.
Jon Kristman, of Burford, ties up his son Grayson’s skate while his other son Landon waits to get on the ice at the Brant Sports Complex in Paris. They were among about 80 people who visited the sports complex on Family Day. Vincent Balljpg, BR
In Brant County, about 80 people took advantage of a free Family Day skate at Brant Sports Complex in Paris, while others visited the Simply Grand Dog Park at the Green Lane Sports Complex.
Brad Trickett, Lara Phillips, Stephen Van Horne and Joan Phillips, of Burlington, visit Green Lane Sports Complex in Paris on Family Day to play a round of disc golf. Sunny weather and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions brought people outdoors to enjoy activities. Vincent Balljpg, BR
The Green Lane complex in Paris has become a popular spot for many people who enjoy disc golf, such as Brad Trickett, Lara Phillips, Stephen Van Horne and Joan Phillips, who were visiting from Burlington.
“We’re here today for Family Day but this is Sunday morning ritual for us,” Joan said. “ We’re out here early in the morning and once we finish … here, we head to Mohawk Park in Brantford.
“We make a day of it and it’s a lot of fun.”
Heather and Aiden Sugden spend part of Monday skating at the Brant Sports Complex in Paris. Skating was one of many activities held in Brant County and in Brantford to help local residents enjoy Family Day. Vincent Balljpg, BR
Those who got outdoors Monday will be especially grateful in light of a special weather statement Environment Canada issued for Brantford and Brant and Oxford counties. The forecast for Tuesday calls for significant rainfall, with between 15 to 20 millimetres possible.
Sunshine and a seasonal temperature of -5 C are expected to return on Wednesday and Thursday.
The City of Toronto is encouraging residents to enjoy a fun, safe Family Day on Monday, February 21 by visiting City pools, skating rinks, history sites, conservatories or zoos. This long weekend is an opportunity to rediscover Toronto and all it has to offer by spending quality time with family and friends.
Open City facilities and attractions include:
Indoor pools
Ten City indoor pool locations will be open for Family Day leisure swim:
Agincourt Recreation Centre (2 to 5 p.m.)
Albion Pool & Health Club (1 to 4 p.m.)
Centennial Recreation Centre (2 to 5 p.m.)
Dennis R. Timbrell Recreation Centre (12 to 3 p.m.)
Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre (2 to 5 p.m.)
Main Square Community Centre (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
Memorial Pool & Health Club (1 to 4 p.m.)
Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre (1 to 4 p.m.)
Trinity Bellwoods Community Recreation Centre (12 to 3 p.m.)
York Recreation Centre (1 to 4 p.m.)
More information is available online .
Skating There are more than 50 outdoor ice rinks and skating trails across the city which will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Family Day. There is no charge for public skating at City locations. CSA-approved hockey helmets are mandatory for children under the age of six and are recommended for skaters of all ages. Check the status of the rink before you head out.
The Nathan Phillips Square skating rink will be open until 10 p.m. on Family Day. A GO-VAXX mobile vaccine clinic will be on site next to the rink providing COVID-19 vaccinations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All GO-VAXX buses are providing first, second, third and booster doses for adults and youth ages 12 and up, as well as vaccines for children age five to 11. Appointments can be booked through the provincial booking system and walk-ins are welcome.
Skiing and snowboarding Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre will be open for leisure programs and private lessons. More information is available here.
Tobogganing There are 26 designated toboggan hills in neighbourhoods across Toronto. Locations and safety tips are available online.
Snow loops Explore seven snow loops for winter walks and snowshoeing at four of the City’s golf courses, with loops ranging from one to two and a half kilometres.
Disc golf Try your hand at disc golf, including 18 holes at Scarlett Woods Golf Course and a new nine-hole course at Dentonia Golf Course. Learn more on the Disk Golf Course webpage.
Riverdale Farm Visit a working farm in the centre of the city. Riverdale Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. Learn more on the Riverdale Farm webpage.
High Park Zoo Toronto’s oldest animal attraction has been entertaining people for 120 years and is open every day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., including on Family Day. High Park is closed to vehicle traffic on weekends and public holidays. Learn more on the High Park Zoo webpage.
Conservatories and greenhouses Both the Allan Gardens and Centennial Park conservatories will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Family Day. Admission is free and the conservatories are wheelchair-accessible. While Allen Gardens is undergoing renovations, washrooms inside the conservatory are closed. Portable washrooms are available outside by the playground. Learn more on the Conservatories webpage.
Ferry to Toronto Island Park The ferry is currently running on the Reduced Service in Ice schedule, with service to Hanlan’s Point from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. A shuttle bus is operating between Ward’s Island and Hanlan’s Point. Learn more here.
Museums and galleries
Over Family Day weekend (February 19 and 20), Fort York National Historic Site, Gibson House Museum, Montgomery’s Inn, Scarborough Museum and Spadina Museum offer guided HistoricTO tours, a cultural experience connecting local communities. No Toronto History Museum sites will be open on Family Day. Tours explore Toronto’s past, present and future through diverse perspectives. Timed-tours must be booked in advance on the City’s Museums webpage. The current exhibit at the Market Gallery celebrates the history of the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair and features 60 artworks from the City of Toronto Art Collection acquired from the fair over the years. Open Saturday, February 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Learn more on the Market Gallery webpage.
Vaccination options
Individuals who are yet to be vaccinated or are eligible for a COVID-19 third “booster” dose can take advantage of one of the many vaccination clinic options operating this Family Day.
City-run immunization clinics at Scarborough Town Centre and Cloverdale Mall will be open to walk-ins only on Sunday, February 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, February 21 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Immunization clinics at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Woodbine Mall and Mitchell Field Community Centre will be closed on Sunday and Monday.
Vax The East: Scarborough mobile clinics will also be running all weekend in different Scarborough neighbourhood schools, including on Family Day. Details on schools hosting clinics, hours and appointments are available online . All Vax The East pop-up clinics offer both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Health cards are not required for vaccination.
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
PEORIA — The 2021 Ledgestone Insurance Open is bigger and better.
Historic big, in fact.
“We have 2,000 participants registered this year, the most ever here for this tournament, and a record as the largest field in the history of the disc golf sport,” said Ledgestone founder and longtime director Nate Heinold. “It’s just massive on a scale hard to imagine. We’re so excited to see the sport thrive like this.”
The Disc Golf Pro Tour’s Ledgestone is bigger than ever in other ways, too. The prize money for the Men’s and Women’s Pro divisions is $130,000 — the biggest purse in the history of the sport.
Nate Heinold:Why the new office and warehouse in Washington? This annual event had outgrown its storage
And the tournament, which has always worked as a fundraiser for local charities, expects to generate a record donation this year.
“We’re looking at raising $150,000 for charities,” Heinold said. “That will be the largest we’ve ever been able to donate.”
Who’s playing in the Ledgestone Insurance Open?
The Pro Men’s and Pro Women’s field is stacked with elite world-ranked players. It includes Ledgestone veteran Paul McBeth, who has $555,000 in career winnings and just finished runnerup in the World Championships at Utah in late June.
James Conrad, who emerged from that tournament as World Champion, is in the Ledgestone field, too.
So is elite world-ranked player Ricky Wysocki ($462,000 in career winnings). And on the women’s side, Catrina Allen and Paige Pierce line up just days after Allen beat Pierce on the final hole for the World Championship.
Wysocki and Allen won the 2020 Ledgestone.
Where is the Ledgestone Insurance Open played?
The 2021 edition of the event takes part on 12 courses around the Peoria area, but the pros will play on Lake Eureka and Northwood Park in Morton. The Ledgestone has grown to 74 staff members, countless volunteers and 12 courses.
Play will happen at Bradley Park (Peoria), Camp Kearney (Canton), Kennel Lake (Morton), Lake Eureka (Eureka), McNaughton Park (Pekin), Megiddo at Westwood Park (Morton), Northwood Park (Morton), Sunset Hills Disc Golf Course (Pekin), Washington Park (Washington), Wildlife Prairie Park (Hanna City), Illinois Central College (East Peoria).
You can find directions to each course here.
New this year is the Northwood Park Black course in Morton. It’s a 10,500-foot course cut into the woods at Morton and designed with U.S. Open style angles and hazards.
“It is, officially, the hardest disc golf course in the world,” Heinold said. “It will challenge the world’s best players.”
Can fans attend the Ledgestone Insurance Open?
The 2020 Ledgestone operated under pandemic conditions, with roped off areas to achieve distancing, masks required and reduced spectators capacity.
But 2021 has no capacity limits or mask requirements for spectators.
“It’s back to a more normal feeling,” Heinold said.
There are various attendance options.
Look back at 2020:How the Peoria area’s biggest disc golf tournament got bigger, better amid COVID-19
VIP Badge: $95 for the week includes parking, event admission, VIP tent access (food on hand), and a spectator pack that includes GRIPeq G Series bag, a limited edition disc, tournament T-shirt, tournament badge.
Weekly parking pass: $35 allows one person parks free and gets event admission, plus a Ledgestone disc and T-shirt.
Daily parking pass: $10 includes admission on days pro open men or women play at Eureka or Sunset Hills. Not available at Northwood Park.
Note: Only VIP or Weekly Parking Pass holders will be permitted to spectate at Northwoods Park in Morton. Also, above admission options are for one person. Additional fees are charged to additional people in the same car.
Ledgestone Insurance Open schedule
Age-group divisions outside the pro levels play throughout the week at various courses. There also are special events and meet and greets. Full schedule is below:
Wednesday, 3-4 p.m. — Discraft pro players clinic with Paul Ulibarri and Ben Callaway at Sunset Hills (Pekin).
Wednesday, 4-7 p.m. — Play with the Champs exhibition at Sunset Hills (Pekin) with pros Ricky Wysocki, Missy Gannon, Nate Sexton and Paul Ulibarri.
Thursday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. — First round: Men’s Pro Open tees at Lake Eureka Disc Golf Course. Women’s Pro Open tees at Northwood Park Black Course (Morton).
Thursday, 6-8 p.m. — Paul McBeth and Paige Pierce meet-and-greet with fans at Eureka. Live music, food, ice cream sundae/root beer floats.
Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. — Second round: Men’s Pro Open tees at Northwood Park Black Course (Morton). Women’s Pro Open tees at Sunset Hills (Pekin).
Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. — Third round: Men’s Pro Open tees at Northwood Park Black Course (Morton). Women’s Pro Open tees at Sunset Hills (Pekin).
Sunday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. — Final round: Men’s Pro Open tees at Lake Eureka Disc Golf Course. Women’s Pro Open tees at Northwood Park Black Course (Morton).
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men’s basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. Reach him at 686-3206 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.
Kentwood in August will ask residents to consider a proposal geared toward city parks, trails, and recreational improvements.
The Aug. 2 ballot imitative dedicates $1 million that, if approved, will support the city’s parks, trails, and recreational facilities and programming.
Millage funds would improve all trails and parks and would expand and enhance programming through increased capacity in space and staffing. Funds also would be used to fund a remodel of the area surrounding Kentwood City Hall into a community recreation center and park space.
“Since celebrating Kentwood’s 50th anniversary in 2017, we’ve dedicated significant time and effort planning for the next 50 years of community growth through collaboration with our residents and other partners,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley. “Available parks and recreation funding has not kept pace with increased residential demand, delaying repairs for the community today and significantly limiting future improvements. If approved, this millage would provide a permanent sustainable funding source to improve, operate and maintain parks, trails, and other amenities and services for generations to come.”
The $1 million proposed millage was recommended by parks advisory committees that included residents and other stakeholders. Planning also included community engagement and a review of Kentwood’s current parks, trails and programming, its projected growth and community needs.
Advisory committees also recommended the city contribute additional funds up to $22 million from other public and private sources to attain the needed improvements. The plan for the millage ballot proposal, which was unanimously approved, was presented to the city commission on Dec. 7, for the Aug. 2 election.
“Our extensive community engagement and planning process has shown our community needs have grown beyond available funding,” said Val Romeo, director, Kentwood Parks and Recreation. “This has been reaffirmed by increased use of our parks, trails and recreational offerings throughout the past two years.”
The proposed millage would support Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades and other improvements and developments, including:
Bowen Station Park:Restroom, playground equipment, signage, landscaping and other amenities
Burgis Park: Trail and sidewalk improvements and a new drinking fountain.
City campus: Splash pad, playground, plaza, shelters, stage, event lawn, parking, restrooms and other amenities
Community recreation center: Approximately 50,000 square feet of year-round, indoor and all-ages programming and recreation space on the city campus
Covenant Park phase one: Trails, sports fields, event lawn, lighting and infrastructure to support future phases
East Paris Nature Park:Trail improvements, signage and other amenities
Home Acres Park: Skate park improvements, shade shelters, lighting, signage, landscaping and other amenities
Jaycee Park: New restroom/program building, added parking, disc golf improvements and other amenities
Kellogg Woods Park: Restrooms, softball/baseball field improvements, new sports fields, lighting and landscaping
Northeast Park: Restrooms, playground, splash pad, landscaping and other amenities
Old Farm Park: Parking improvements, playground, shelter and other amenities
Paris Park: Trail improvements and signage
Pinewood Park: Splash pad improvements, pickleball courts, a new restroom, shade shelters, landscaping and other amenities
Rondo Street Station Park: Playground, bicycle rack and repair center, signage, landscaping and other amenities
Stanaback Park: Playground, parking improvements, signage, pickleball courts, landscaping and other amenities
Stauffer Station Park: Kiosk, bicycle rack and repair center, signage, lighting, landscaping and other amenities
Summerwood Park: Playground and landscaping
Trails: Repairs, replacement and new connections
Veterans Memorial Park: Shelter, added parking and other amenities
According to Romeo, The Parks and Recreation department exhausted current general funds, including a parks millage that expired in 2013.
“We have been able to make improvements only through grant opportunities, which are becoming more and more difficult to acquire. New funding is critical to support our growing community needs,” Romeo said.
If passed, the millage would be levied starting July 1, 2023, with the following tentative timeline:
All parks would receive improvements to address the most immediate needs within the first five years, with all remaining improvements completed within 10 years.
Trail improvements and construction planning would be prioritized in the first year, followed by ongoing trail repairs and expansion to enhance the trails for all users.
Construction of city campus park amenities and community recreation center would begin in the second year.
More information regarding the millage proposal is here.
February 11, 2022 by Charlie Eisenhood in Opinion with comments
Welcome to Ultiworld Disc Golf’s mailbag!
The mailbag is for subscribers only, which helps keep me committed to writing it every week. It will reward subscribers with a weekly column they can count on. And it will allow us to offer a free one-month Mini subscription — which includes access to our Discord server, bonus Upshot podcast segments, exclusive articles, the Cash Line newsletter, and more — for the best question, email, or comment we get and publish in the Mailbag. If you’re already a subscriber, you get a free extra month (or a discount). If you’re not, you can come in and check out the benefits.
You can email me anytime at [email protected] with questions, comments, ideas — whatever you’ve got.
Question of the Week: Innova has been dropping runs of Team Champion Tour Series Discs. From what I’ve seen, James Proctor’s Metal Flake Max has been selling the best out of all of them. This is likely for two reasons: The stamp is a retro Innova style, and people love to buy discs they can’t throw or don’t need (99% of disc golfers have no use for a metal flake Max in their bag).
Seeing this I have some observations:
1. Choose a disc that isn’t also someone else’s tour series disc. Last year, there were both Sexton and Marwede Firebirds. Guess which one people are going to buy if they only buy one? This year, Zack Johnson has a color glow tour series Firebird. Why, Zack?
2. What Innova pro is going to step up and make the Halo Polecat their tour series disc?! That would sell, and they would make a lot of money from it. They could put one in their bag and throw it for lay-up shots or not even use it much but they would become a lot more popular because of it.
3. If I’m on Team Champion, I’m choosing a tour series disc that will make me money, not my favorite mold. Who is going to choose a popular mold that hasn’t been a tour series disc recently? Teebird (not Teebird3) and Leopard (not Leopard3) were #10 and #11 on Infinite Discs most sold discs in 2020. Neither one of these is selected as a tour series disc. Someone pick one of these discs as their tour series disc! These are discs that people are buying and when they lose one they will want to buy another of the same mold.
Am I wrong in my thinking?
– Bill E.
Mailbag: Tour Series Disc Strategy, College Disc Golf Growth, All-Star Wildcards is only available to Ultiworld Subscribers
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DGPT Announces Points and Awards Structure for the 2022 Season
Tour Championship introduces play in qualifier event for bottom two seeds
February 18th, 2022: The Disc Golf Pro Tour is excited to announce its points and awards structure for the 2022 season. An updated points structure will include PDGA Professional Majors* and make adjustments to points earnings for DGPT postseason events. Silver series events will award 25% of standard DGPT Elite Series points. DGPT playoff events will award 125% and PDGA Professional Majors will award points at 150%. To qualify for the first DGPT playoff event (Discraft’s Green Mountain Championship), players must fall within the top one hundred MPO players or the top fifty FPO players based on tour points. The top sixty-four MPO and top thirty-two FPO will qualify for the second playoff event (MVP Open at Maple Hill).
The Tour Championship will maintain the same format as the 2021 season with thirty-two MPO and sixteen FPO players competing over four rounds with the top four scores from each round advancing. For the 2022 Tour Championship, the top thirty MPO and top fourteen FPO players in tour points will automatically qualify and be granted byes based on their final points standings.
The two final spots in each division will be determined by a play-in event to be held the Wednesday prior to the start of the event. The 31st and 32nd seeds on the MPO side and the 15th and 16th seeds on the FPO side will automatically gain entry to the play-in event and will be joined by four additional players in each division. These four play-in spots will be reserved for any players who won a DGPT Elite Series event or PDGA Professional Major but did not qualify for the Tour Championship. If there are still spots available, the invitation is passed to the next player(s) in the DGPT points standings. The DGPT retains the right to add players to the play in tournament based on any future COVID-19 disruptions.
In addition to the silver series and Elite Series events currently on the schedule, the DGPT will host its second Match Play Championship June 16th – 19th in Bailey Colorado at the Bailey Disc Golf Course. Sixteen players from each division will qualify for the match play event with Elite Series winners automatically qualifying and all remaining spots being awarded based on tour points standings after the OTB Open.
After the conclusion of the Tour Championship, the DGPT will announce its season awards in its first-ever awards show to celebrate the completion of the 2022 season streamed live on the DGN. The season awards are as follows.
Player of the Year
Criteria – 33% Media Vote, 33% Tour Points, 33% Average Finish at PDGA Professional Majors + Tour Championship.
Rookie of the Year
Criteria – Given to the player with the highest points total who has not played more than 3 combined DGPT Elite Series events, PDGA National Tour events, or PDGA Professional Major events in a single previous season. Players who have competed in two or more PDGA Professional Majors in a single previous season will also be ineligible for the award.
Most Improved
Criteria – 50% Fan Vote, 50% Media Vote (tiebreaker is DGPT points total).
1st Card All-Stars (4 Players)
Criteria – DGPT Points Standings
2nd & 3rd Card All-Stars (8 Players)
Criteria – 25% Fan Vote, 25% Media Vote, 25% Tour Points, 25% Average Finish at PDGA Professional Majors + Tour Championship.
The first Disc Golf Pro Tour Elite Series event will begin on February 24th in Las Vegas.
* The DGPT will award 2022 tour points for the following divisions at PDGA Professional Majors:
MPO/FPO at PDGA Professional World Championships
MPO/FPO at PDGA Champions Cup
MPO/FPO at European Open
MPO at United States Disc Golf Championship
FPO at PDGA United States Women’s Disc Golf Championships
###
For media inquiries, please contact DGPT Communications Manager, Charles McCracken at [email protected].
WHILE the possible development of homes at the former Reading Golf Club course in Emmer Green has caused controversy, the club’s new home is being transformed.
The club merged with Caversham Heath Golf Club in April last year to create The Caversham at the latter’s course in Mapledurham.
The move was prompted by declining membership at both clubs, a problem which has affected golf clubs nationwide.
The 250-acre course has been renovated and work to transform the old clubhouse will begin soon.
The £6.8 million investment is being funded by the planned construction of 223 homes at the former Reading Golf Club course, off Kidmore End Road, by developer Fairfax.
Reading Borough Council is due to decide whether to approve the plans after receiving an estimated 4,000 critical comments, which is believed to be a record for a single application.
Meanwhile, the course at The Caversham has been updated by Canadian architect Tom McBroom, who has been designing courses for the past 25 years in Europe, America, the Caribbean and, more recently, China.
Twelve of his courses are ranked in Canada’s top 100 and two of his Finnish courses are ranked in the top 100 in Europe.
Mr McBroom says his work combines an understanding of the history of the game of golf with a creative flair and vision and that his designs capture the character of the land on which they are built.
He applies this when crafting a new course or restoring “a weary masterpiece”.
Work at Mapledurham began in May 2019 and was largely completed by August last year. Some work, such as filling in the old bunkers on the course, continues.
There is a new driving range and a new six-hole course for players to improve their game.
Gary Stangoe, general manager of Reading Golf Club, who is now in charge of The Caversham, says: “Practice is so important and we want to provide our membership with state-of-the-art practice facilities.
“The six-hole practice course is built to United States Golf Association standards and will act as an academy course for members.
“It will really benefit members, particularly juniors and females. It’s built to the highest standards and you’ll be able to play there very quickly, which will increase learning and experience.
“We’re delighted with the new main course and it has been recognised as outstanding.
“There has been a subtle rerouting of the existing holes and the bunkering and there are a couple of new greens. This has made it more playable and more adaptable and added a bit of variety.
“It plays exceptionally well in the winter months due to being free-draining — we’ve increased the drainage and there are three new bunkers. The response from members has been amazing.”
The course has a combination tee system, which is unusual in Britain but common in America.
Different coloured tees mean players start at a different distance from the hole according to their ability. A board at the entrance to the course recommends a tee colour based on a player’s handicap.
Mr Stangoe explains: “Normally, the colours of the tee are gendered but we’ve changed it to become gender-neutral.
“There’s so much more we can offer now. We were restricted by the size of the old golf course, restricted in terms of holes and also noise concerns from local residents. There was very little way of improving the facilities.
“We’ve worked with the Golf Environment Organisation to improve the environmental standards as we made our changes. We wanted the course to be low maintenance and the design took that into account.
“We’ve created a meadow of old flowers around the circumference, which has been well received locally and is open as walking routes. Since June we’ve run off solar panels.
“We’ve invested in local companies and local contractors did the majority of the work on the course. We’re delighted to have been able to do that and it has been a real part of the success.
“It’s now a championship level course which could host the elite of professional events.”
The course will host next year’s English Girls’ Championships, which will be a six-day event with 144 competitors from around the world and their families attending.
Mr Stangoe said it would be the biggest event in the history of Reading Golf Club and would bring in a lot of extra spending in the area.
The club already has planning permission to refurbish the clubhouse. There will be a new health and wellbeing suite with treatment rooms, a yoga and Pilates studio and a golf fitness gym.
The club will also introduce a private dining and meeting room, a room to be used for hot desking and a new upstairs area in what is currently empty roof space.
Mr Stangoe said: “The extension will create additional facilities which will bring new revenue streams.
“The jewel in the crown will be a beautiful, south-west facing, 37m long balcony overlooking the golf course.
“There will be seating for up to 120 people and it’s outside dining, which is so important at the moment. It will be one of the nicest views locally to have a dining area.”
He said the staff and members from the two clubs had merged well.
“We’ve retained employment for the staff of both courses,” said Mr Stangoe. “They are really supportive about the future of the club.
“Ninety per cent of the members from both clubs were there at the start on April 1. They’ve all been very positive about the changes.
“Our membership is now full but we have some opportunities in certain categories.
“The fact that we have been so busy is welcome. We’re now facing issues in terms of accommodating all the interest.”
Speaking about the old course in Emmer Green, Mr Stangoe said new green spaces would be created and open to the public.
Part of the old course hosts Fairways Family Golf Centre with a nine-hole golf course, an 18-hole disc golf course and a nine-hole foot golf course.
Mr Stangoe said players took disc golf and foot golf seriously and the centre would be hosting competitive events.
He said: “The prospect of development has created a reaction, which is understandable.
“But less than 10 per cent of the land at the old site is to be built upon. The remaining land will be green and for the first time in 110 years it’s going to become accessible with a country park, allotments, walkways and cycleways.”
