by The OTB Open, presented by MVP Disc Sports, is a premier event in the world of disc golf that attracts top talent from across the globe. Hosted at Swenson Park in Stockton, California, the competition showcases a challenging temporary course designed to test the skills of professional disc golfers. Celebrated for its significant added cash prize and well-organized structure, the OTB Open has quickly become a professional disc golf calendar highlight.
Embedded within the Disc Golf Pro Tour, the OTB Open features a range of scheduled events and provides extensive media coverage, ensuring fans can follow the action closely. Numerous partnerships and sponsorships that support the event aid in the development of the sport and its surrounding community. Dedicated to upholding the Professional Disc Golf Association’s rules and regulations, the OTB Open emphasizes the spirit of competition and fair play.
Key Takeaways
- The OTB Open is a major event demonstrating the competitive pinnacle of professional disc golf.
- Strategic partnerships and comprehensive media coverage are pivotal to the event’s success.
- The tournament provides a platform for community engagement and sport development within disc golf.
Event Overview
The OTB Open is a signature event on the Disc Golf Pro Tour, showcasing top-tier talent and competitive play in Stockton, California.
History of OTB Open
Since its inception, the OTB Open has become a celebrated fixture in the disc golf world. With its roots replacing the San Francisco Open, the tournament sprung onto the scene with Tournament Directors Sean Jack and Shawn Mercy at the helm. The event quickly garnered attention with its strategic courses and high-level competition.
Stockton, CA: The Host City
Stockton, California, serves as the proud host for the 2023 OTB Open, offering diverse landscapes and challenging courses that demand precision and skill. Stockton’s commitment to disc golf is evident in its welcoming community and the city’s investment in making the event a revered stop on the Pro Tour.
Tournament Directors
Sean Jack and Shawn Mercy are renowned for their roles in elevating the OTB Open to premier status. Alongside Leonard Muise of 1000 Rated Productions, they have created an atmosphere of competitiveness and professionalism that’s mirrored in the meticulous organization and execution of the event in Stockton.
Competition Details
The 2023 OTB Open is a Disc Golf Pro Tour highlight, featuring top-tier professional disc golfers from multiple divisions. Notable players such as Eagle McMahon and Paige Pierce compete to showcase their skills and vie for victory.
Divisions and Players
The Open is divided into several categories: the MPO (Male Pro Open) and FPO (Female Pro Open). Professionals like Calvin Heimburg, Ezra Aderhold, James Proctor, and Paul McBeth participate in the MPO division, while the FPO sees competitors like Paige Pierce, Ohn Scoggins, and Ella Hansen. These players are known for their impressive performances and contribute to the high level of competition at the event.
Course Layout
The tournament is held at an expanded version of Swenson Park’s disc golf course in Stockton, California, recognized as one of the best layouts for the sport. The course challenges players with a mixture of long and technical holes that require precision and power. Tee times are organized to ensure a smooth flow of play and are available via the event’s official schedule.
OB Rules and Regulations
Out-of-bounds (OB) regulations significantly affect the strategy and scores at the OTB Open. The competition does not implement the debated two-meter rule, allowing players some leeway with how they approach each hole. Instead, clearly defined OB areas are set, requiring strategic decisions to navigate the course successfully. These rules emphasize the importance of skillful play and thorough knowledge of each hole’s specific regulations.
Media and Coverage
Media coverage for the OTB Open is comprehensive, featuring live broadcasts and a partnership with GateKeeper Media, offering post-produced videos. Audiences can access diverse content including photos, commentary, and analysis.
Live Coverage
The OTB Open promises spectators live coverage throughout the event. This coverage is primarily available through the Disc Golf Network, which is the go-to platform for fans wanting to catch every throw as it happens. The live broadcasts not only showcase the talent of professional disc golfers but also feature insights from expert commentators, providing a rich viewing experience.
GateKeeper Media Partnership
In collaboration with GateKeeper Media, OTB Open extends its media reach by offering next-day round coverage. GateKeeper Media is well-regarded for its exceptional post-production of disc golf events, ensuring that high-quality videos are available to fans who prefer a condensed format. This partnership amplifies the event’s visibility and serves to highlight the contributions of sponsors like MVP Disc Sports.
Scheduling and Events
The OTB Open, as part of the Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT), is a significant event with meticulously planned schedules and opportunities for fan involvement.
Tee Times and Competition Schedule
Friday: The competition commences with Round 1 for all divisions.
- MPO (Men’s Pro Open) and FPO (Women’s Pro Open): Tee times begin at 7:30 AM, continuing throughout the day.
Saturday: Round 2 of play strategically spaces out tee times for optimal player and spectator experiences.
- Volunteer Opportunity: Individuals can sign up for assisting with scorekeeping, starting at 7:00 AM.
Sunday: The final round determines the champions, with tee times beginning at 7:30 AM, culminating in an award ceremony in the late afternoon.
Volunteer Opportunities
Those interested in participating behind the scenes at the OTB Open have various roles available to them. Key volunteer positions include:
- Course Preparation: Assisting with set-up and maintenance.
- Event Staffing: Supporting event coordinators in various tasks throughout the tournament.
Related Events and Activities
Alongside the main competition, the OTB Open boasts a series of related events and activities that enhance the tournament experience.
- Clinics and Workshops: Held by top players, offering insights into professional play.
- Meet and Greets: Opportunities to interact with elite series players and the disc golf community.
Player Experience
The OTB Open presents a pivotal event for players invested in the Professional Disc Golf Tour and the United States Tour Rankings. Competing in California, this tournament is a significant opportunity for players to improve their standings and showcase their skills on a national stage.
Professional Disc Golf Tour
The OTB Open is a key event in the Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT), attracting top professional players from across the United States. It promises a challenging course and a tough field of competitors. By participating, players gain not only exposure but also critical points that contribute to their overall DGPT standings. The event boasts significant added cash making it an attractive stop for professionals seeking to boost their earnings.
United States Tour Rankings
For players looking to climb the United States Tour Rankings, performing well at the OTB Open is essential. This tournament reflects their standing within the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), emphasizing the importance of each round played. Consistency and high-level play in California can greatly impact a player’s position, both on the national rankings and within the global disc golf community.
Sponsorship and Partnerships
The OTB Open thrives with the backing of strategically aligned sponsors and partnerships that propel the visibility and success of the event.
Disc and Merchandise Sponsors
OTB Discs serves as a primary sponsor, offering a range of quality discs that are intrinsic to the sport. In collaboration with MVP Disc Sports, the event features a variety of exclusive tournament-branded merchandise, amplifying the competitive spirit and engagement of both players and fans.
Event Partners
The event partnership with the San Francisco Open has been instrumental in its evolution. MVP Disc Sports complements this partnership by contributing experience from previous Elite Series events, strengthening the organizational framework and enhancing the overall stature of the OTB Open within the disc golf community.
Community and Development
Disc golf’s ability to connect various age groups, from youth to seniors, is fostering vibrant community bonds while driving the sport’s growth. Key to this connection are initiatives like youth engagement, course development, and league expansions that collectively map the future of disc golf.
Youth and College Engagement
The sport particularly thrives at the youth and college levels, where programs like the College Disc Golf National Championships actively involve students. High school initiatives have seen a surge, creating a pipeline that feeds into the collegiate system, underscoring the sport’s expanding appeal among younger demographics.
Disc Golf Course Development
When it comes to infrastructure, the PDGA Course Directory is a crucial tool for discovering courses worldwide. This directory is enriched by a robust community that contributes to the Map Course Search feature, and submits details to Add New Course. These resources are central to supporting disc golf course development and ensuring access for players at all levels.
PDGA Leagues and Growth
Leagues under the PDGA ambit, such as the PDGA Champions Cup, lay a competitive foundation that galvanizes local and international communities. The well-structured league system not only encourages regular play among enthusiasts of all ages but also showcases the sport’s potential for expansion and professional development.
Rules and Regulations
The OTB Open operates under the stringent guidelines set forth by the Official Rules of Disc Golf and the Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events. Participants are expected to be familiar with these rules, including specific regulations around divisions, ratings, and the certification of rules officials.
Official Rules of Disc Golf
The Official Rules of Disc Golf are the fundamental framework that governs play during the OTB Open. They encompass everything from proper disc golf etiquette to specific penalties for rules infractions. These rules are available in multiple languages, providing access to a wider audience and ensuring that international players can understand the translated rules of disc golf.
Divisions, Ratings, and Points
Each player in the OTB Open is categorized into divisions based on their skill level and PDGA player ratings. Achievements and standings in the tournament are influenced by the points factors, which are calculated based on the tier of the event and the number of participants in each division. Players battle not only for the title but also for points that contribute to their overall season standing and rating.
Certified Rules Official Information
For a tournament as technical and detailed as the OTB Open, having Certified Rules Officials on the course is paramount. These officials have passed the Certified Rules Official exam and are proficient in implementing the Official Rules of Disc Golf. Their presence helps maintain the integrity and flow of the tournament, ensuring compliance and fair play. The Disc Golf Foundation emphasizes the importance of these trained officials in supporting the growth and professionalism of the sport.
PDGA Resources and Programs
The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) offers a range of resources and programs designed to promote the sport of disc golf globally. These resources serve as guidelines for international play and provide opportunities for growth through advertising and affiliate programs.
International Program Guide
The International Program Guide is a comprehensive resource for disc golf in countries affiliated with the PDGA, such as PDGA Europe and PDGA Canada. The guide facilitates the sport’s expansion by providing standardized rules and competition formats. It ensures that players and organizers across the globe have access to uniform regulations, fostering a cohesive international disc golf community.
Advertising and Affiliation
Advertising opportunities through PDGA allow businesses to reach a wide and engaged audience within the disc golf community. PDGA’s affiliate club program, Affiliate Club Program, strengthens local disc golf communities by encouraging clubs to become official PDGA affiliates. This affiliation fosters growth through support and resources while maintaining the integrity and structure of the sport as set by the PDGA.
Heritage and Community
The OTB Open not only showcases the competitive spirit of disc golf but also reflects the sport’s rich heritage and the sense of community it fosters. Integral to this are the institutions that honor the game’s legends and support its growth.
Disc Golf Hall of Fame
The Disc Golf Hall of Fame acknowledges the individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport. Located at the International Disc Golf Center, it recognizes the efforts of players, promoters, and contributors who have elevated disc golf. Each year, a select group of individuals is inducted through a careful selection process involving current hall members and a board of electors.
International Disc Golf Center
The International Disc Golf Center (IDGC) serves as the epicenter for disc golf worldwide. Housing the Disc Golf Hall of Fame, it’s also home to the Disc Golf Foundation and host to major disc golf events. The IDGC oversees various essential functions, including disciplinary processes and governing elections for significant roles within the sport’s community.
Beyond the OTB Open
After the excitement of the OTB Open, disc golf enthusiasts have a plethora of major tournaments to anticipate throughout the year, showcasing top talent on a global stage.
Major Disc Golf Events
The disc golf season includes several premier events that captivate fans and challenge the world’s best players. Among them, the PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships stands out as a pinnacle of athletic prestige, drawing top competitors from around the globe. Similarly, the United States Disc Golf Championship (USDGC) offers an intense, high-caliber competition set within the serene landscape of Rock Hill, South Carolina. Another key event on the European tour is the European Open, which has gained renown for featuring challenging courses that test the skills of the sport’s elite. Lastly, the US Women’s Disc Golf Championships and US Amateur Disc Golf Championship provide a platform for women and amateur disc golfers to compete at the highest level and establish their standing within the community.
Global Masters Series
The Global Masters Series signifies an international effort to celebrate and acknowledge the skill of seasoned disc golf professionals over the age of 40. It runs in parallel with the US Masters Disc Golf Championship, which alone attracts participants who specialize in the artful mastery of the game while championing the spirit of sportsmanship. The Women’s Global Event operates under a similar ethos, unifying female competitors from various locations in a biennial celebration of women in disc golf, fostering camaraderie and competition simultaneously.
