Team MCDG Keeps MCO Singing Along in 2025
The very first Music City Open took place in 1998 when Nashville hosted it’s first PDGA pro tournament. Just 19 MPO played that year and there was no FPO division.
MCO was then on hiatus, until its return in 2010 as B-tier. It moved up to A-tier in 2013, with 29 playing MPO and 5 in FPO. 6 of the MPO were rated 1025 or higher, and just one FPO was rated higher than 900, which was the winner that year, Paige Pierce.
From 2013 through 2020, Music City Open was an A tier event 4 out of the 7 years. During this span, it played 4 different courses in the Nashville area, and by 2020 the field size featured prominently with 142 in MPO and 24 in FPO. The following year, MCO rose to both elite series and national tour finale, hosting 130 in MPO and 37 in FPO. The first 2 rounds in 2021 played on the traditional Ravenwood course and new course Mill Ridge Park, played the final round.
Mill Ridge Park was still finding its legs, and in 2022, MCO was relegated to a Silver Series event, with all 3 rounds playing Mill Ridge. Still, it had more than 30 in FPO and over 100 in MPO who played in 2022. Then in 2023, MCO returned as an Elite Series event, with a greatly improved Mill Ridge Park. Attracting over 100 for MPO, with 50 for 2023, and then 40+ in FPO in 2024. Now in 2025, FPO sees its highest total at 52 registered to play.
For 2025, the Mill Ridge Park course has undergone some noticeable changes to the 2024 layout. Both divisions are playing a slightly shorter trek of 18 holes within the same venue as 2024. A few holes are renumbered, a few early and late holes revamped, and voila, it sets the stage for the fans.
We have cleared sight lines to watch hole 18 better, and you can see 6 holes right when you walk in.
TD – Zach Hoy
Strength from Community
Team MCDG has blossomed into a 600 member disc golf club, local to Nashville. The Team has 2 primary missions: bringing high quality tournaments to the area and teaching local youth, adults and senior citizens the sport. Instilling a passion and being inclusive with all the fun disc golf has to offer.
Music City Open is just one of many events that MCDG runs during each calendar year. The Team manages leagues, clinics, and other outdoor activities for younger participants. As if perpetually in planning and event management mode, MCDG stays quite active, but devoted to community. It’s a known strength of Nashville, and the local club takes pride and joy in their ongoing work. The 2022 MCO graciously hosted 15 kids from the Tennessee School for the Blind, who had such a wonderful time that they doubled attendance for the School at 2023’s tournament.
To help get the course better prepared for players in recent years, local pro and national star, Chris Dickerson influenced course improvements. Chris, along with other competitors in the 2022 Silver event, sought to increase overall flow of play as well enhance hole and course layouts. Once again, it is the Team and excellent support from the local community who took upon the tall task of clearing the park of thorny brush and branches on several holes. Making it safer for pros who find their lie well off the fairway, while also making it better for spectator viewing.