Doug Bjerkaas, Events Coordinator at Dynamic Discs, has recently coordinated the largest disc golf tournament in the history of the Professional Disc Golf Association. The 2016 Glass Blown Open had 1,120 players (nine countries and forty-two states) who participated in Emporia. In fact, Doug was named the Top Tournament Director for the PDGA for 2016. At our Rotary Club meeting, we learned about the Junior Worlds Disc Golf Championships that will be held in Emporia in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Awarding a site three years in a row is unprecedented. Emporia is gaining a reputation. Our town has been named the best place to play disc golf, and the home of the two best disc golf tournaments by disc golfers themselves. Dynamic Discs is busy creating excitement for the sport in other ways as well. They are working with ESU to create a college club team. There are 40-50 college teams that go to the collegiate championships. They are also working with Emporia High School to build an EHS club team to compete with other high school club teams.
Emporia events to put on our calendars:
- Glass Blown Open (www.glassblownopen.com) - April 26-28, 2018
- PDGA Junior World Disc Golf Championships (www.pdgajrworlds.com) - July 10-14, 2018
Dynamic Discs and Emporia together are earning a reputation as a great host for disc golf tournaments in one of the fastest growing sports based on PDGA membership growth, the growth of PDGA sanctioned tourneys, and the growth in the number of disc golf courses.