If you’re new to disc golf, this might seem weird …
But there was a time when it was all but impossible to imagine the professional disc golf scene without the likes of Paige Pierce, Paul McBeth and Ricky Wysocki. If they entered a tournament, they won. And if they didn’t win, they were ultra-close to making it happen – that or violently ill.
This wasn’t all that long ago, either …
Four, five – maybe six years back.
This year, however, we got a taste of the state of professional disc golf without ‘em. Near the start of the season, Wysocki prematurely came back from a wrist injury, causing him to miss a number of Pro Tour events. For the better part of June and July, McBeth bounced for Europe to compete overseas. And when he did come back, it wasn’t long before a shoulder injury caused issues. Lastly, adding insult to (literal) injury, in July, Pierce had season-ending ankle surgery.
And you know what?
Not much changed.
The quality disc golf fans of 10 years and 10 months have come to expect from the professional field didn’t miss a beat. Given the outright dominance of Kristin Tattar, there’s not much parity in the FPO division. Still, there are plenty of new faces making a sizable splash – and outside of Catrina Allen: Sai Ananda, Ella Hansen, Kat Mertsch, Holyn Handley, Ohn Scoggins, etc.
And without McBeth, Wysocki and other more household MPO names claiming title after title, the 2023 Pro Tour season has been jam-packed with a host of first-time winners for the guys.
Furthermore, though an isolated event, the 2023 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships proved to be a microcosm of the same macro-level trend. Yes, Tattar took home the hardware for herself, but remember: She’s only a two-time World Champion – still “new.”
For the men, the way Isaac Robinson played, NOBODY was beating him. En route to his second Major Title in less than five months’ time, Robinson led the MPO field in strokes gained from tee to green (26.92) and holes parked (19%) – all this with an average round-rating of 1056.
But think of the not-so-common names that played sizable roles within the men’s division for five straight, non-flukey rounds – and on the sport’s biggest stage, mind you: Anthony Barela (2nd), Gannon Buhr (T6th), Alden Harris (T6th), Kyle Klein (T6th) and Evan Scott (T15th). Each of these guys is in their early 20s, with a couple of teenagers sprinkled in there, too.
Oh, yeah …
And Cole Redalen (T22nd) made his presence known, as well.
Rightfully so, history will NEVER forget the Juliana Korvers, Ken Climos and Barry Shultzes of the disc golf world. But as was the case with them, and as will certainly be the case for our soon-to-be legends of yesteryear, the sport rolls on – new talent fills the void left behind.
In the meantime, enjoy the show …
It’ll only get better.
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