When I first started playing disc golf, I did what everybody does: I went out and threw a 150-gram DX Beast like a beach frisbee. I didn’t know any better. It wasn’t my fault.
Soon enough, a guy at my local course saw me struggling and gave me a two-minute lesson on how to backhand a disc. This helped immensely. I’ll never forget his final piece of advice …
“Hop on YouTube. Watch a few professionals play. Then, come out and do what they do.”
He was right. It did help. And it still does.
Last year, the DGPT’s first attempt at an All-Star Weekend was an epic faceplant. The event felt like a normal tournament. Yeah, there was some doubles action, but nothing all that exciting.
The DGPT learned its lesson, though. And just as “Mr. Miyagi’ taught me years ago, instead of doubling-down on what he didn’t know, Jeff Spring watched (and copied) somebody who did …
Or rather, something that did – the NBA.
The NBA All-Star Weekend is a spectacle. Cities lobby to host it. Celebrities turn out. Even players who aren’t participating spend precious vacation days in attendance. It’s that good.
Here are the details for what the DGPT plans to do over the 2022 All-Star Weekend in February:
2022 All-Star Weekend will feature a new format. #DGPTAllStars pic.twitter.com/AzQp07FDoz
— Disc Golf Pro Tour (@DiscGolfProTour) January 21, 2022
Did you catch all that?
Next, here are the striking similarities our All-Star Weekend shares with the NBA’s version:
- One weekend.
- Multiple events.
- Captains choose teams.
- Two teams of All-Stars compete.
- The winning All-Star team gets paid.
- There’s even a skills competition this year.
Heck, bring out Ben Askren and that one TV chef, and the celebrity game’s covered, too.
I joke, but this is all very good for the future of disc golf. It started with the PDGA and DGPT partnering to form The Disc Golf Pro Tour. Next, the game’s biggest stars are finally getting paid for the value they provide their sponsors. These are player-first, manufacturer-second contracts.
And now this? Pinch me. I accidentally took two Benadryl.
In 2023, I’m calling for Hawaii, Tommy Bahama shirts and an end-of-the-season start date.
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