ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – To celebrate this year’s 25th anniversary of the United States Disc Golf Tournament (USDGC), which will be held Oct. 5-8 at Winthrop University, organizers have planned an event that promises to be bigger and more entertaining than ever.
Not only will the tournament offer competitive play at what is considered one of the toughest courses on the tour, but there will be an evening concert series following each day’s last round. More than 100 players are expected to compete, along with another 40 players in the Throw Pink Women’s Disc Golf Championship. Add in more than 6,000 attendees and another 200,000+ watching the livestream on Disc Golf Network, and this will be the largest event to date.
Here is the schedule for the week.
Organizers said disc golf continues to grow in popularity all over the world, including on college campuses. In Rock Hill, fans will be watching outside the Winthrop Coliseum to see who takes home the generous payout for winning the tournament. Prizes are given for those who place from first through 20th place.
Winthrop’s Disc Golf Course has been the site of the USDGC since its inception in 1999. Although the course has seen minor changes each year, it always presents a combination of narrow fairways, lots of out-of-bounds area, elevated baskets and plenty of water. Known to be physically, emotionally and mentally challenging, the course allows for creativity in shot-making and a unique focus on shot placement, rather than on pure distance alone.
Organizers don’t just worry about the course; they also want to take care of those watching the tournament.
“The USDGC strives to be the most fan-friendly disc golf event in the world,” said Jonathan Poole, USDGC co-founder and event director. “This year we celebrate 25 years of bringing our community together and showcasing the game we love. Fans will enjoy live music every night, a shopping experience featuring 40+ disc golf vendors in the Championship Village, a variety of talented artists, two spectator courses, and the world’s best disc golfers competing at one of the game’s most iconic venues.
“The USDGC represents nearly three decades of making our disc golf dreams come true,” he added.
Winthrop a Partner from Tournament’s Beginning
Over the years, Winthrop has been a faithful partner in the growth of the tournament. “Winthrop has been recognized worldwide, thanks to the United States Disc Golf Championship and the visionary leadership of Innova Disc Golf,” said Chuck Rey, Winthrop athletics director. “This remarkable partnership has not only elevated the sport to new heights but also made Rock Hill, South Carolina and York County a global destination for disc golf enthusiasts.”
Disc golf officials said this tournament will mark Winthrop’s 30th Professional Disc
Golf Association (PDGA) major championship, more than twice as many majors as any
other venue. That makes it one of the most revered disc golf experiences in the world,
Poole said.
The PDGA majors at Winthrop are:
1997 - Pro World Championships
1999 and 2000 - Women’s National Championship
2001 - United States Women’s Disc Golf Championship (inaugural event)
2020 - Women’s National Championship
1999 - 2023 - USDGC
New Events to Celebrate 25th Anniversary
A new attraction this year that should also attract music fans is The Fresh & Now, an evening concert series at the Winthrop Lake. Presented by the USDGC and Visit York County, here is the music schedule:
Thursday, Oct. 5, 6 p.m. - Empire Strikes Brass: a brass funk rock ensemble playing groovy beats with thumping rhythm and a rich
horn section.
Friday, Oct. 6, 6 p.m. - The Tan & Sober Gentleman: is best described as Irish pub music with a hillbilly twist.
Saturday, Oct. 7, 6 p.m. - Big Something: creates tunes with an unlikely combo - rock, reggae and funk. Their unique sound
has gotten them stage time at Bonnaroo and Electric Forest.
Sunday, Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m. - Josh Daniel: a local bluegrass singer/songwriter with a country undertone who has been featured
on The Kelly Clarkson Show and in The New York Times.
Attendees also can support local food trucks, including Cibi Cibi, Jam Rock Jerk Spot
and King of Fire, and vendors such as John McDaniel Tye Dyes and Orbital Creations.
How to Purchase Tickets
Tickets may be purchased online. Day passes are $25 and VIP passes are $100. Winthrop students, faculty and staff get in free with a Winthrop ID, including to The Fresh & Now concerts.
At least 350 Winthrop students attended last year’s championship, organizers said. This year the championship is held the same weekend as the university’s Family Day, so even more are anticipated. “Together, we have created a legacy of excellence and passion that continues to inspire players and fans around the world,” said Rey. “This is a great time to celebrate the past 25 years while we continue together to launch disc golf into the future.”
Winthrop Reintroduces Disc Golf Club
Winthrop has had several disc golf teams in the past, but they dissipated as student-athletes graduated. With the great growth of disc golf nationally and the world-wide recognition of the Winthrop Gold Course, Winthrop has made a firm commitment to disc golf by hiring a coach, Mark Huether, who will recruit student-athletes for a more permanent disc golf team.
There are more than 180 disc golf teams in the country, Rey said, and Winthrop is committed to developing a national championship caliber program.
For More Information
For information about the tournament, contact Genevieve Young at usdgc.press@gmail.com. For information about Winthrop, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
