Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship returns to Charlotte for third straight year
The Panthers are in town again this weekend; however, Charlotteans need not wait until Sunday to watch professional sports live and in person. That’s right — the Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship culminates in Charlotte this week at Hornets Nest Disc Golf Course.
Disc golf has grown steadily since the late 1970s as a low-cost sport that gets people outside and moving. Growth has been much faster in recent years — “the sport experienced huge growth when the Disc Golf Pro Tour was founded in 2016, and the sport has doubled or tripled in size during the pandemic,” Disc Golf Pro Tour CEO Jeff Spring told CharlotteFive on Monday afternoon. What serves as a hobby for many is much more serious for nearly 150 full-time touring pros.
Disc golf pros have spent the entire year competing in contests with hopes of scoring enough points to make it to the Championship this weekend. Beginning Thursday, Oct. 14, 32 men and 16 women from across the U.S. and Canada will compete for a portion of the largest purse in disc golf history: $250,000. The winner of the men’s and women’s divisions will each walk away with $30,000, and the best player on the tour will have earned more than $100,000 in earnings this season.
Disc golf mecca
Charlotte is no stranger to disc golf — the Charlotte Disc Golf Club is a big partner with the event this weekend. “Charlotte is a disc golf mecca — we expect over 1,000 fans each day and VIP tickets are sold out,” Spring said. “General admission tickets are still available,” he made sure to add.
Charlotte has hosted the Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship the past two years and there are nearly 20 courses to play for free in the area. In addition to courses, we’ve got some great talent. Deann Carey of Shelby will compete in the women’s championship while Jeremy Koling and Paul Ulibarri — both of Charlotte — will compete in the men’s championship.
Spectators can expect formal opportunities for autographs, beer for sale from sponsor Olde Mecklenburg Brewery and local food trucks.
2021 Disc Golf Pro Tour
Location: Hornets Nest Disc Golf Course, 6230 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216
How to watch: Buy tickets online to watch in-person or purchase a Disc Golf Network subscription to stream online.
Instagram: @discgolfprotour
