The Team and Event History
In an event that’s unlike most on the pro tour, the team that makes it happen is unlike other local disc golf clubs. Team PDGA is the governing organization for disc golf around the globe. This is the team that guides other TD’s in planning, sanctioning and operating their Pro and Am events. And this team’s clubhouse is the IDGC, home of the “Steady Ed” Headrick Memorial, along with the Disc Golf Hall of Fame.
Never forget your roots. The museum depicts the evolution of the game, with emphasis on how it disc golf started. Influenced by golf, and inspired by Frisbees. The IDGC is home to original artifacts within the sport, as well as works of art among those inspired by the sport.
The roots are the people. Be that the immortal Steady Ed, the devoted Jim Palmeri, the excellent Vanessa Chambers or the cast of hundreds that followed. Before Wildwood Park hosted Champions Cup, it was site to the Disc Golf Hall of Fame Classic, annual tournaments from 2003 through 2019. A PDGA event that paid tribute and gratitude to the distinguished members of its Hall of Fame.
Expand scope. Internationally. Growing the sport has been a mission for many ambassadors of the game. There are courses on most continents, tournaments in many countries, and pro tours outside the US. The popular pro tour that has captured great attention in recent years from fantasy disc golfers has 15 US national tour Elite tournaments and 3 or so Major events. For super fans, the game has clearly elevated in stature with better access to viewing elite pros. And we’re now living in an era where live broadcasts of pro tour events are occurring outside the American continent.
Fantasy disc golf, standard leagues, now include 2 events from the European Tour. And an option at start of year to base a league around the European pro tour. What’s this have to do with Champions Cup? This prestigious, albeit relatively new, Major brings together the prominent champions from US Elite and Major events, along with national champions from a half dozens other countries. Add to that, champions from 8 European events. In 2024, that expands to 11 European Tour (ET) events.
Course Updates for 2023 Event
The in-person viewing of prominent events on tour is growing significantly. As noted on other profiles from 2023, today’s elite level TD’s are tweaking courses with the spectator in mind. And the woodsy WR Jackson, is latest example to be re-worked just enough to let the on-site fan enjoy the action.
Hole 18 is now a fan-friendly finishing hole, which means viewing added action from tee 1 is improved. Hole 18 basket gets a bit longer while tee 14 for MPO gets a bit shorter, but changes from par 5 to par 4, at 736 feet. In 2022, the inaugural Champions Cup, just 4 FPO scored under par for the event, while MPO winner was nearly 40 under par. That changes in 2023, with 3 shorter pin positions on holes 6, 11 and 13 that are intended to be more attackable par 3’s. But the FPO challenge is still there. Take hole 1 as prime example where it’s a 660 foot par 4 for MPO. Oh and a 660 foot par 4 for FPO as well.