2017 MPO Worlds - Augusta

[JC17393]

I'm perfectly fine with the format used this year. On courses that are set up to provide proper challenge to Gold level players (which has never been a reality before this year), four rounds should be more than adequate to determine the best player in such a deep field.

BUT...in the interest of blending the new with the old, I could get behind a 5-round Worlds. That being four rounds like they are playing now with a cut to a Final round of 18 for the top 54 or 72 (or whatever the cash line might be). I don't think it would do all that much to provide more drama or closer battles, but it would set the event apart from the "regular" tour events of the NT/DGPT/DGWT/A-tier schedules and bridge the gap to the past format somewhat.

 

[DavidSauls]

I have mixed feelings. I certainly don't think it's "just another C-tier", or even "just another NT", but I liked the unique, longer format it had. I definitely like the idea of playing it out big courses, without watering them down---perhaps, in the future, even bigger and tougher than these.

 

[WildlyMediocre]

I have mixed feelings. I certainly don't think it's "just another C-tier", or even "just another NT", but I liked the unique, longer format it had. I definitely like the idea of playing it out big courses, without watering them down---perhaps, in the future, even bigger and tougher than these.

I think one of the issues is the exclusivity of it. With the previous format there were maybe a dozen or so locations that could handle the event? So you were getting repeats of locations (Rochester, Charlotte, etc.) and not a lot of variety.

Now there are a hundred locations to showcase different courses across the country. And even if, say, Charlotte repeats as a location it wouldn't be the same courses.

The USDGC is always in the same place. Maple Hill Open is always the same place. The GBO is always Emporia (different courses, but every 2 or 3 years they have to repeat courses). The BSF is getting bigger but it's always in the same area. Gentleman's Club is always Vegas.

There are very, very few premier events that have the flexibility to go on the road and really offer exposure to areas of the country we normally wouldn't see coverage of. And I think this format gives a lot more options for that to be the case.

Although (and this is just a personal opinion), just like the Vibram Open changed its name to Maple Hill Open when it became more than just a nice destination tournament; I think the name will have to change for the Pro Disc Golf World Championships. The name is too lofty. PDGA Open Championship or something.

 

[JC17393]

Although (and this is just a personal opinion), just like the Vibram Open changed its name to Maple Hill Open when it became more than just a nice destination tournament; I think the name will have to change for the Pro Disc Golf World Championships. The name is too lofty. PDGA Open Championship or something.

For what it's worth, it's still the Vibram Open. They only took the Vibram name off it for a year (which may have been related to level of sponsorship than anything else).

 

[WildlyMediocre]

For what it's worth, it's still the Vibram Open. They only took the Vibram name off it for a year (which may have been related to level of sponsorship than anything else).

Ah, that I was unaware of. I've been out of the loop for a few years.

 

[sjberry2017]

I do agree that the PDGA Open Championship, or simply The PDGA Championship, would be a more fitting name. Heck, you might as well change the name of the USDGC to Worlds; it's typically drawn more international talent than the actual Worlds anyways

 

[DanJon]

With as much emphasis as we put on the World Champion title, it's just not the same when it's at the same level/format as BSF, The Memorial, Vibram, Ledgestone, etc.

How many pros have a 1x, 2x, 3x Memorial or Vibram signature disc?

Innova has the deal with sig. discs for World's winners.

Why did they not offer that for other tournaments?

Was it because World's was special when it was a week long test?

 

[sidewinder22]

I do agree that the PDGA Open Championship, or simply The PDGA Championship, would be a more fitting name. Heck, you might as well change the name of the USDGC to Worlds; it's typically drawn more international talent than the actual Worlds anyways

Worlds would never be at an international site then. :|

I believe USDGC draws more international talent due to more money in the purse and is logistically a lot more feasible for Euros being on the East coast and only 4 days of competition on the same course. Worlds was a bear for Euro players to practice all the courses and extra days required to compete at a high level for less prize money.

 

[WildlyMediocre]

I do agree that the PDGA Open Championship, or simply The PDGA Championship, would be a more fitting name. Heck, you might as well change the name of the USDGC to Worlds; it's typically drawn more international talent than the actual Worlds anyways

Well, the European Championship is a much bigger deal these days. The Aussie Open is a major event now. I think the USDGC being the premier event representing the US is fitting. Just having something called the "World Championships" is slightly pretentious now with the actual world disc golf stage getting bigger and better every year.

 

[air show]

No disrespect to the winner of this year's Worlds but in my mind they do not deserve the accolades of past Worlds winners... a big asterisk behind their name. I have always felt that Worlds was our big event and that seems to be gone now. Can only hope a big name such as Meresmaa, Dodge, or Rusco can find a way to bring back the excitement and prestige that the Worlds once held.

 

[sjberry2017]

Well, the European Championship is a much bigger deal these days. The Aussie Open is a major event now. I think the USDGC being the premier event representing the US is fitting. Just having something called the "World Championships" is slightly pretentious now with the actual world disc golf stage getting bigger and better every year.

Aussie Open as "major" is pushing it slightly, but I get your drift; the Japan Open was pretty prestigious when it was run.

I disagree having a World Championships is pretentious in principle, though I do see where you're coming from. Hopefully they can find some international hosts who can pull it off; I would think that Europe would be the most likely spot.

Perhaps, if this did become the PDGA Championship, we could have a true Worlds where Americans qualify in from the USDGC and Europeans qualify in from the Euro Masters/Open from the previous year, say, top 36 each (Americans at the Euro tournament and Europeans at the USDGC don't qualify from those tournaments), and then for Asia-Pacific either have some smaller country level tournaments or just allow the players who meet a certain ratings/points threshold to register. Canadians could follow this too or qualify in from either USDGC or the European tournament.

BUT...in the interest of blending the new with the old, I could get behind a 5-round Worlds. That being four rounds like they are playing now with a cut to a Final round of 18 for the top 54 or 72 (or whatever the cash line might be). I don't think it would do all that much to provide more drama or closer battles, but it would set the event apart from the "regular" tour events of the NT/DGPT/DGWT/A-tier schedules and bridge the gap to the past format somewhat.

Or we could just put JC in charge of things and call it quits :hfive:

 

[@iDiscGolf]

No disrespect to the winner of this year's Worlds but in my mind they do not deserve the accolades of past Worlds winners... a big asterisk behind their name. I have always felt that Worlds was our big event and that seems to be gone now. Can only hope a big name such as Meresmaa, Dodge, or Rusco can find a way to bring back the excitement and prestige that the Worlds once held.

Get out of here. That's just stupid...

Could it have been a little better this year with courses and so forth, sure.

But don't be ridiculous with saying the winner, the winner, should have asterisk in their title.

 

[takman]

4 rounds on two courses is just any C-Tier. This doesn't feel like Worlds at all.

Minimum 6 rounds (two divisions ought to make this manageable) on at least 3-4 courses.

So why don't you host Worlds, prepare the 4 courses, provide the staff for 6+ rounds and meet all the requirements for a major event since it's so manageable?

 

[AndyJB]

I dont like being "that guy," but after watching Round 2 front 9 on CCDG...were and of John E's step putts legal? It looked to me like he foot faulted every time, but I'm also watching it on my phone...

 

[jeffsk]

I dont like being "that guy," but after watching Round 2 front 9 on CCDG...were and of John E's step putts legal? It looked to me like he foot faulted every time, but I'm also watching it on my phone...

Yeah, I thought the same thing a few times watching that but assumed I was just seeing it wrong.

 

[jeffsk]

Dang...rough day for Drew Gibson today (+2). That gigantic arm isn't quite as useful in the woods I suppose.

 

[sidewinder22]

Perhaps, if this did become the PDGA Championship, we could have a true Worlds where Americans qualify in from the USDGC and Europeans qualify in from the Euro Masters/Open from the previous year, say, top 36 each (Americans at the Euro tournament and Europeans at the USDGC don't qualify from those tournaments), and then for Asia-Pacific either have some smaller country level tournaments or just allow the players who meet a certain ratings/points threshold to register. Canadians could follow this too or qualify in from either USDGC or the European tournament.

^ This is more like the format of the Olympics, so it would only happen every four years and the competition would be watered down by putting a cap on players from the US.

The Presidents Cup is probably the closest thing, but more like the Ryder Cup. The PGA doesn't have a World's, so maybe we should drop World's so we can be more like ball golf.

 

[thruhiker99]

It would be fitting (and so much less pretentious) if the World Championships were played in more than one country. The US has a championship already last time I looked.

I do think the IDGC itself should be the permanent host for an annual NT though. All three courses can be setup to test various levels of skill. I could actually see Werner in its longest setup providing closer to par average scores than WR Jackson as it is currently configured.

 

[sjberry2017]

It would be fitting (and so much less pretentious) if the World Championships were played in more than one country. The US has a championship already last time I looked.

I do think the IDGC itself should be the permanent host for an annual NT though. All three courses can be setup to test various levels of skill. I could actually see Werner in its longest setup providing closer to par average scores than WR Jackson as it is currently configured.

It already kind of is. The HOFC will be held this October (hoping to play the am side should my one Friday class syllabus work out), but I think what the PDGA had initially envisioned for the NT was for tournaments to swap NT status every other year (IIRC what others on here have said), so they don't hold it annually.

 

[UKfan]

I dont like being "that guy," but after watching Round 2 front 9 on CCDG...were and of John E's step putts legal? It looked to me like he foot faulted every time, but I'm also watching it on my phone...

I agree. I felt he released his disc after his foot landed on almost every jump or step putt.