Growing up, my dad was obsessed with European sports. I have no earthly idea why, but when it came time for me to get involved in organized athletics, it was soccer – that was to be my thing.
Then, a few years later, once I was old enough, I got started in competitive road cycling – the racing with skinny tires and shaved legs, if that rings a bell. This was part of my family’s culture.
While other kids my age worshipped Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter and Tom Brady, I had a poster of Greg Lemond time-trialing down the Champs-Élysées at the 1989 Tour de France in my room.
Why do I bring this up, exactly?
Cycling does something disc golf should adopt.
In road racing, each year, the winner of the UCI Road World Championships is awarded with all the normal, run-of-the-mill stuff you’d expect: a trophy, fat paycheck and widespread publicity. In addition to all of that, however, the World Champion gets to rock THIS jersey next season:
Even better, when that year’s passed, the “rainbow jersey” remains …
Well, a smaller version of it, at least – forever and for always:
Back to disc golf.
At the highest level, disc golf trophies often suck. Most of these guys live out of campervans. It should go without saying they don’t have space for a full-blown guitar in there. What does get golfers pumped, however, are discs with “2X,” “4X,” “5X,” “11X” and “12X” stamps on ‘em.
But it doesn’t stop there …
Commemorative discs are a thing. Tour Series discs are a thing. Signature series discs a thing. Clearly, as a sport, we like our gear to reflect the accomplishments of the game’s finest. Let’s take that SAME custom and use it to visually differentiate between who’s won a major …
And, eh – everybody else.
For major champions, created by an apparel sponsor or manufacturer, set them apart for an entire season with a jersey that indicates just how marked of a man they should be out on the course. Then, after that, dial things back a bit, similar to what you see on Armstrong’s sleeves above.
The cycling example I’ve cited is literally from one race – the World Championships. Wouldn’t you know it, though, every country has its own sanctioned National Road Race Championship. Yet again, the winner gets the same treatment – tell me this doesn’t scream Rock Hill:
Disc golf is still young …
The time for new traditions is now.
Cyclists care enough about the rainbow stripes to do just about ANYTHING to don them for the remainder of their careers – and I mean anything. Blood doping? Sure. Small, hidden motors? Count on it. No, I don’t want outright cheating in disc golf, but more passion is a plus …
Want to inject instant prestige into the PDGA Champions Cup?
Along with all other majors, give it the cycling treatment.
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