The “MPO” acronym is one of the most misunderstood in all of disc golf.
In fact, Google’s featured snippet for the search query isn’t even correct …
See for yourself:
If you’ve gone your entire disc golf career thinking MPO stands for “male professional open,” you’d be wrong. The source of the confusion isn’t hard to pinpoint, as FPO stands for “female professional open.” As such, it’d make sense for there to be a male-protected division, right?
Wrong.
Instead, in disc golf, MPO stands for “mixed professional open.” Because of this, regardless of gender, the division is open to professional-level disc golfers under the age of 40. Even then, however, it’s not uncommon for golfers over the age of 40 to also compete in MPO fields.
One of the best examples of the “mixed” aspect of the MPO division in full swing takes place each year at the United States Disc Golf Championship (USDGC) in Rock Hill, S.C. While an MPO-only event, FPO golfers like Paige Pierce and Juliana Korver have taken part in the past.
To compete in USDGC, you have to qualify.
Male, female or extraterrestrial, if you make the cut, you’re in.
Given Natalie Ryan’s two Elite Series victories this season, the emphasis on the “mixed” side of the MPO division has become an impassioned point of conversation. Some argue trans athletes should play exclusively within the MPO field, given it’s not a gender-protected division.
Time will tell what changes the PDGA decides to make, if any …
For now, Ryan’s playing well within her rights – and winning, while at it.
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Why even give the whole “MPO sTaNds FOr MixEd divison” any merit? Sure it might “stand” for mixed, but that’s not how it actually plays. The issue of transgender athletes is complicated, I don’t think either side has the correct answer right now, and studies (specifically related to disc golf) are lacking. But this article is way to brief and lacks so much of the nuance needed to talk about this issue. I get that it’s a blog, but this just didn’t feel right.
Thanks for reading, Henry!
And commenting, of course 🙂
To answer your question, we’ve given it “merit” as, well …
That’s LITERALLY what it stands for.
Next, this article’s intent is to answer a simple question …
Not really launch into a full-blown conversation on transgender athletes in disc golf.
That said, if you’re looking for THAT article, I recommend reading this one: https://bit.ly/3PSCdje
That’s 2,000+ words straight from Jeff Spring’s mouth – should get you what you need.
Again, thanks for reading – happing throwing!