I loved the 2022 Dynamic Discs Open (DDO) out in Emporia. I’ve followed the professional scene for years. Few things get me in the mood for watching the world’s best go head-to-head than the walk-up songs, constant EMac sightings and layout at the Emporia Country Club.
This year, however, after the fact, those positive, widespread vibes I’ve come to associate with the event didn’t feel so strong. Maybe I’m on Twitter too much, but there was LOTS of this:
Sorry…just not a fan of DDO anymore…been losing interest year after year and this year I just didn’t care in a season prior to this that I could not put my iPad or phone down to not watch the DGPT action…looking forward to OTB to right this ship
— PtownLocal Yokls (@PtownLocalYokls) May 3, 2022
The reasons for the recent DDO-bashing are generally as follows:
- Reason No. 1 – There was WAY too much wind.
- Reason No. 2 – There was WAY too much artificial OB.
- Reason No. 3 – There was WAY too much over-par scoring.
Briefly, let’s dissect those first two …
First, wind is unpredictable – these tournaments are scheduled and planned months before they take place. Unless Jackie Morris or Doug Bjerkaas has God on speed dial, you’ll have to adjust.
Second, while the DDO does feature a heavy amount of artificial OB, it feels fair. In the time I’ve covered disc golf, I’ve noticed more open courses tend to lean heavily on artificial OB. If you’re a tournament director, it makes sense as a way to challenge players to take accuracy into account. Furthermore, it protects players and staff on neighboring holes and fairways.
Also, Winthrop Gold …
Ever heard of it?
The 2022 Dynamic Discs Open is shaping up to be one of the strangest professional disc golf tournaments of all time …
— Green Splatter (@GreenSplatter) May 1, 2022
If you've watched this thing, you know that's hardly hyperbole. Heck, don't watch it – just check out the UDisc Live stats and standings …
Incredible stuff.
It’s that third reason that’s had me thinking these past few days, though …
Don’t get me wrong: It’s fun to see Paul McBeth shoot a “perfect” (neither was perfect) round at the Toboggan Course or Brazos Park East. In my opinion, though, it’s just as fun to see our sport’s GOAT fail to make the cut, while these “no-namers” took down top-10 finishes:
- G.T. Hancock
- Väinö Mäkelä
- Logan Harpool
- Aaron Gossage
- Jason Hebenheimer
In fact, if I had to lean one way over the other, when choosing between opposite ends of the disc golf spectrum, I’d say the hardcore scoring rounds are EASILY the more boring of the two. If you missed McBeth’s 16-under, 1108-rated first round at Fountain Hills during this year’s Memorial Championship, I can summarize it for you without a YouTube video:
Multiply this by four: Hyzer. Tap-in. Hyzer. Tap-in. Hyzer. Tap-in. Hyzer. Tap-in.
Sprinkle in a couple of missed birdie putts, and you’re there.
As it’s been explained to me, ball golf tends to evaluate the quality of its majors by how closely the winning score relates to par: Too high, and the course played too tough. Too low, and the course was a cakewalk. Scottie Scheffler won this year’s Masters with a score of 10-under-par.
When you do that through 72 holes, one thing’s for certain …
Pars matter.
The DDO’s not a major. Disc golf’s not ball golf, either. But heck, the 2022 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships will be held in Emporia. And wouldn’t you know it, just like Mr. Scheffler himself, Ricky Wysocki took down the DDO with a score of 10-under-par …
Spooky.
It’s still Kansas, so the wind might very well play a factor in late August and early September. Regardless, the way Eric McCabe has set things up, yet again, in four months’ time …
Pars WILL matter.
And this is a good thing – a VERY good thing.
When pars matter, the course plays more difficult – things then start to snowball …
When the course plays more difficult, the “luck factor” (Joel Freeman) is diminished. When the luck factor is diminished, the best rise to the top. When the best rise to the top, the best of the lot takes home top prize. When the best takes home top prize, fans see something special …
You know, like Ricky winning the 2022 DDO by six strokes in impossible conditions.
And here’s my favorite part:
It’s at this point that a 16-under-, 17-under- or 18-under-par TRULY means something.
Make pars matter; improve disc golf – it’s as simple as that.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Wind IS a luck factor. The world championships should never be held there for this reason.
Bring on the tough courses, but skip the luck: wind, elevated baskets, baskets on hills (rollaways)
Thanks for reading, Matt!
While I certainly agree with you that “wind is a luck factor,” there’s literally nothing that can be done about it …
Your suggestion is about the only thing: Steering clear of Kansas.
I could see that working, as wind comes and goes, you know?
If it’s windy in the morning and that’s when you tee off on day one, that sucks for you.
Don’t have an issue with elevated baskets and baskets on hills, though: That’s part of what makes courses harder, you know?
And everybody plays them, which – unlike the wind example you provided – isn’t always the case.
Can’t thank you enough for reading and for your thoughtful feedback – love it, brotha!