2017 Masters Cup presented by Innova Disc Golf

[Consult20]

Highlight of the weekend (even though he wasn't in the Master's Cup) -- Eagle McMahon chaining out on a 500'+ uphill drive, almost an epic ace:

https://instagram.com/p/BUXznYCjoc7/

 

[Major Tomahawk]

Random stuff from this weekend:

The course set-up at DeLaveaga has been the same for the last 5 years. It's 24 holes with hole #'s 20-24 omitted. There have been 4 times when -11 has been achieved. Paul's -15 destroyed that record.

I talked to Paul before his first round. Another guy just blurts out, "Are you going to win this tourney" and Paul, without hesitation, said "Yes!".

The poison oak was bad in places where you shouldn't throw you shots. This is the first year that I can remember where the TD's allowed relief from the PO. After you play DeLa, it's a tradition to go swimming in the Pacific. That will clean off your PO oils.

Nate Sexton's death putt on hole 6 squirted OB and landed on the road in the first or second round. It was obviously on the road, but he cried and complained like a baby until the TD came over and ruled that since you couldn't see the road under his disc (it was on dirt that slides up on the road when people slide OB) the TD ruled his disc safe. That was the worst call I've ever seen at a tourney. I've been where NS was and there is no way that I'm going to ask for a call. It was clearly on the road. Later, I find out that other players landing in the same spot took OB's like men/pros. I lost respect of NS right there. Paul couldn't believe he got the the call and I saw his face. Paul was rolling his eyes. The next morning, the TD had a broom and swept all of the dirt off of the road.

Yesterday, during the 3rd round, Big Jerm threw a thumber on a short hole and landed on the green that was over a hill for an OB. When Jerm got to his disc and was told where his thumber was last in bounds, he also did the entitlement argument that his disc was "no way" that far left. His cardmates gave him the call and he banged a 60-footer for par. After the hole I walked up to a friend that was up on the green at the time of the throw and that the throw had gone directly over his head...30 feet to the left of the mark that Big Jerm lobbied and cried about until he got it. Very sad professionalism was what I witnessed by Big/Sexy.
\
On a side note, I won my division by one shot by shooting a last round -4 on DeLa with no scores larger than a 3. I'm glad I didn't have to play the ball golf set-up. I definitely prefer the old school course.

 

[SD86]

You guys talking about Anthon's form and how he needs to change it are killing me. Only thing he needs to do is get that knee fixed. No way he's playing near 100%, you see that limp!?

Take a few clicks through his stats over the years-http://www.pdga.com/player/17946

Agreed. I thought Anthon was just showing some rust. Coming back from years not playing, and De La is his first competitive test... it could've been much, much worse, which is a positive testament to his natural ability.

 

[Consult20]

Random stuff from this weekend:

The course set-up at DeLaveaga has been the same for the last 5 years. It's 24 holes with hole #'s 20-24 omitted. There have been 4 times when -11 has been achieved. Paul's -15 destroyed that record.

I talked to Paul before his first round. Another guy just blurts out, "Are you going to win this tourney" and Paul, without hesitation, said "Yes!".

The poison oak was bad in places where you shouldn't throw you shots. This is the first year that I can remember where the TD's allowed relief from the PO. After you play DeLa, it's a tradition to go swimming in the Pacific. That will clean off your PO oils.

Nate Sexton's death putt on hole 6 squirted OB and landed on the road in the first or second round. It was obviously on the road, but he cried and complained like a baby until the TD came over and ruled that since you couldn't see the road under his disc (it was on dirt that slides up on the road when people slide OB) the TD ruled his disc safe. That was the worst call I've ever seen at a tourney. I've been where NS was and there is no way that I'm going to ask for a call. It was clearly on the road. Later, I find out that other players landing in the same spot took OB's like men/pros. I lost respect of NS right there. Paul couldn't believe he got the the call and I saw his face. Paul was rolling his eyes. The next morning, the TD had a broom and swept all of the dirt off of the road.

Yesterday, during the 3rd round, Big Jerm threw a thumber on a short hole and landed on the green that was over a hill for an OB. When Jerm got to his disc and was told where his thumber was last in bounds, he also did the entitlement argument that his disc was "no way" that far left. His cardmates gave him the call and he banged a 60-footer for par. After the hole I walked up to a friend that was up on the green at the time of the throw and that the throw had gone directly over his head...30 feet to the left of the mark that Big Jerm lobbied and cried about until he got it. Very sad professionalism was what I witnessed by Big/Sexy.
\
On a side note, I won my division by one shot by shooting a last round -4 on DeLa with no scores larger than a 3. I'm glad I didn't have to play the ball golf set-up. I definitely prefer the old school course.

While I agree Sexton's disc was clearly on the road, he was trying to be sure he was playing the lie per the TD's direction stated in the players meeting. It sounds like he was one of the few who actually paid attention in the players meeting, no surprise to there. Just because others played it wrong doesn't mean Sexton should be chastised. On the contrary, good for him paying attention and getting the call to go his way.

 

[mark996]

Agreed. I thought Anthon was just showing some rust. Coming back from years not playing, and De La is his first competitive test... it could've been much, much worse, which is a positive testament to his natural ability.

I was impressed by him holding his own on a big stage. He's only played one other tournament this year from his PDGA page, so yeah, definitely showing a little rust but if he can get back in the swing of things and build on his Masters performance he's gonna be just fine. Looking forward to seeing how he does at the next few big events. The Utah Open has about 16 1000+ rated players in Open so far, Beaver State Fling is stacked with the usual top card names, and obviously Worlds will be stacked. If he manages to have solid showings at these events I think it'd be safe to say he's back.

 

[lyleoross]

You guys talking about Anthon's form and how he needs to change it are killing me. Only thing he needs to do is get that knee fixed. No way he's playing near 100%, you see that limp!?

Take a few clicks through his stats over the years-http://www.pdga.com/player/17946

Ya know, if he switched over to MVP, he'd really improve his game.

 

[Streets]

You guys talking about Anthon's form and how he needs to change it are killing me. Only thing he needs to do is get that knee fixed. No way he's playing near 100%, you see that limp!?

Take a few clicks through his stats over the years-http://www.pdga.com/player/17946

Lol at the noobs who have never seen him play. Outside of MJ, he would flatten* every DGCR member.

*yes the pun was intended, deal with it.

 

[Broken Shoulder]

Most Valuable Parolee.

 

[lyleoross]

On the Nate OB. I've seen to many Pros piss and argue too many times at the highest level to not consider the notion that at least part of their success comes from being tenacious and arguing every call. That includes Paul. Ask Ricky about writing his name on his disc clearly enough. Ask about Ken and the sign that magically appeared in his way.

If our measure of manliness is whether these guys argue calls, well, they all have small hands.

Did I mention, this season is gonna be awesome?

 

[lyleoross]

Most Valuable Parolee.

Wrong P. So, how was Sarah's knee? I saw she finished. Hope it's not bad.

 

[JC17393]

On the Nate OB. I've seen to many Pros piss and argue too many times at the highest level to not consider the notion that at least part of their success comes from being tenacious and arguing every call. That includes Paul. Ask Ricky about writing his name on his disc clearly enough. Ask about Ken and the sign that magically appeared in his way.

If our measure of manliness is whether these guys argue calls, well, they all have small hands.

Did I mention, this season is gonna be awesome?

No doubt these guys scratch and claw to get every call to go their way, whether they're actually correct or not. I've seen it myself numerous times playing with some of them. What I'm not sure of is if they get to the level they are due to possessing such traits or if getting to that level is where such traits are born. Are they good because they push every possible advantage or does being good bring out the ego/arrogance to think they can push for advantages where others wouldn't or can't?

I'm more inclined to think it's the latter only because I can't say I've seen the behavior much at all except by players of a certain caliber. I've played with and witnessed certain players try to argue their way to a beneficial call (or against one that didn't go their way) by essentially playing the "don't you know who I am?" card. As if being a touring player gives them some magical level of insight into interpreting a ruling or making a judgment call that the rest of us don't have. It hasn't always been that overt, but there was definitely a vibe that they expected deference that other players might not get. I've never felt that from a local pro or anyone else for that matter.

 

[Lazerface]

Don't know about "perfect", but Ian and Avery did do well together. It seemed like Avery loosened up and dropped his "clipped" style a few times, which really made him a better commentator...

Agree, apparently he visited this forum beforehand.

 

[lyleoross]

No doubt these guys scratch and claw to get every call to go their way, whether they're actually correct or not. I've seen it myself numerous times playing with some of them. What I'm not sure of is if they get to the level they are due to possessing such traits or if getting to that level is where such traits are born. Are they good because they push every possible advantage or does being good bring out the ego/arrogance to think they can push for advantages where others wouldn't or can't?

I'm more inclined to think it's the latter only because I can't say I've seen the behavior much at all except by players of a certain caliber. I've played with and witnessed certain players try to argue their way to a beneficial call (or against one that didn't go their way) by essentially playing the "don't you know who I am?" card. As if being a touring player gives them some magical level of insight into interpreting a ruling or making a judgment call that the rest of us don't have. It hasn't always been that overt, but there was definitely a vibe that they expected deference that other players might not get. I've never felt that from a local pro or anyone else for that matter.

Good points. I've not seen the "do you know who I am," argument, but what you say doesn't surprise me. It occurs everywhere else so, yeah. I know that I didn't really get the absolute power corrupts absolutely thing until I got into the business world. I believed it, but you have to live it to really get it.

That said, I wouldn't label any one player with that tag any more than any other. I've seen a lot of them do it. Nope, not more than half, but enough to think it would be unwise to judge one as being worse.

 

[spinachd]

Good vids and good commentary. I like the slow-mo featurette during transitions. Thank god someone tells it like it is regarding the Kitchen Hole.

 

[NegaSnapples]

The coverage was outstanding for the tournament! I want to mention just one thing though, and maybe this isn't the forum to bring it up, but oh well...

I thought it was a little bit of a bad look to have Anthon on the feature card. I thought it was an even worse look to talk about the long awaited return of him, and then the commentators not even mention any of the controversy surrounding him. Without mentioning it at all, it made all of the fawning over him feel awkward. Idk, just felt kind of dishonest in a way.

 

[Steve West]

The coverage was outstanding for the tournament! I want to mention just one thing though, and maybe this isn't the forum to bring it up, but oh well...

I thought it was a little bit of a bad look to have Anthon on the feature card. I thought it was an even worse look to talk about the long awaited return of him, and then the commentators not even mention any of the controversy surrounding him. Without mentioning it at all, it made all of the fawning over him feel awkward. Idk, just felt kind of dishonest in a way.

This is disc golf. Part of the appeal is leaving the real world outside the course.

 

[JC17393]

This is disc golf. Part of the appeal is leaving the real world outside the course.

Except he's talking about a video that, supposedly, is a tool that can be used to market the game to the "real world". I have no problem with Anthon playing tournaments and even playing in groups that might be filmed and put up on Youtube or wherever. But I see what Nega is saying.

It was a conscious choice to put him on that card (frankly, I think it was a blatant "ratings" grab). A conscious choice to note he was making a comeback. And a conscious choice to specifically avoid saying exactly what he was coming back from. If you're going to acknowledge he was away, don't sugarcoat or gloss over why he was away. Acknowledge it or ignore it, just don't go halfway and stop.

 

[JTacoma03]

So, my .02 - I said this on YouTube RE: Anthon and it bears repeating. I was not about to cross the threshold into playing judge and jury. That sets a dangerous precedent. I totally understand if some people are turned off by it...but I'm not going to do background checks on competitors.

Obviously that's hyperbole, and you can counter by saying Anthon's missteps have been very public in the past so it's an obvious choice, but that begs the question, "Where do you draw the line?" I don't think it's in the scope of my role to be the person drawing it. If the PDGA and TD say he's fit to compete, then I feel a responsibility to defer to that judgment. I've heard dirt on plenty of top pros randomly over beers and through the grapevine...and I'm not saying that to boast, but just to point out that everyone is imperfectly human. I'm not trying to minimize a situation, but just saying that I don't feel comfortable casting the proverbial stone.

At the end of the day, we're covering disc golf. He's a hell of a golfer and it's an engaging story - no matter what side you fall on you have to concede that point IMO.

 

[Orioles_Lefty]

So, my .02 - I said this on YouTube RE: Anthon and it bears repeating. I was not about to cross the threshold into playing judge and jury. That sets a dangerous precedent. I totally understand if some people are turned off by it...but I'm not going to do background checks on competitors.

Obviously that's hyperbole, and you can counter by saying Anthon's missteps have been very public in the past so it's an obvious choice, but that begs the question, "Where do you draw the line?" I don't think it's in the scope of my role to be the person drawing it. If the PDGA and TD say he's fit to compete, then I feel a responsibility to defer to that judgment. I've heard dirt on plenty of top pros randomly over beers and through the grapevine...and I'm not saying that to boast, but just to point out that everyone is imperfectly human. I'm not trying to minimize a situation, but just saying that I don't feel comfortable casting the proverbial stone.

At the end of the day, we're covering disc golf. He's a hell of a golfer and it's an engaging story - no matter what side you fall on you have to concede that point IMO.

There's a lot of slipperiness in this position. Dirt on other golfers isn't the same as what you call an "engaging story." But, for it to be a robust, accurate, engaging story, you have to report the details and not just gesture towards it.

That said, I totally get wanting to tell the stories of disc golf on the course and showing the action. There's coverage and then there's journalism. Nothing wrong with top-notch coverage, and I appreciate that you provide it for all of us. I can't say how I would cover this situation, but I would recommend having a plan for breaking news related to a player during the hours surrounding tournament play. Here's hoping a fist fight or drunken driving -- or worse -- doesn't happen. But, say so-and-so shows up to tee #1 with a shiner, I'd like to know the facts. Or, if so-and-so doesn't show up because he/she is in jail.

Thanks for the coverage.

 

[Orioles_Lefty]

As for the coverage itself, Ian's love of DeLa and covering DeLa seems to rub off on everyone he teams with. There's just a "kid in a candy store" aspect to Ian doing commentary on DeLa that is hard not to like. I'm partial to CCDG's "conversational" approach to commentary; this past weekend seems to be the best yet mixing of that more informal style with the more "professional" coverage Spin had attempted in the past. It struck me as the right spirit and tone for disc golf.

It's exciting to see the different channels (Spin, Jomez, CCDG, Smashboxx) finding ways to collaborate to enhance the overall product. We're all benefiting, so thanks to the people behind these choices.