2021 Beaver State Fling Cancelled Due to Storm Damage and Pandemic Uncertainty

The 2021 Beaver State Fling, a highly anticipated event on the PDGA National Tour, has been cancelled. The event was scheduled to take place from June 10-13 at the iconic East and West courses in Milo McIver State Park, Oregon. However, a severe snowstorm in February left thousands without power and caused widespread damage to the park's infrastructure.

The storm, which hit on February 12, 2021, brought heavy snow and ice that resulted in downed trees and damaged roads throughout the Portland metro area. When park officials were finally able to assess the damage at Milo McIver State Park, they were shocked by the extent of the destruction. It took crews nearly three weeks to clear the park's roads, making it impossible for the event to proceed as planned.

Furthermore, the ongoing pandemic has added an extra layer of uncertainty, with park officials still not issuing special use permits due to concerns about crowd safety and potential transmission risks. With the Riverbend day-use area, which includes the disc golf courses, remaining closed until at least late May, the PDGA was left with no choice but to cancel the event.

The decision was made in conjunction with local tournament directors Jeff Mittl and Jeff Hagerty, who expressed concerns about the ability to run the event safely and to its full potential. Mike Downes, Director of Operations for the PDGA, reflected on the disappointment, stating that the East and West courses at Milo are "a one-of-a-kind disc golf destination" that has hosted numerous championships.

While the cancellation is undoubtedly a setback for players and fans, the PDGA is grateful to its event hosts who have worked tirelessly since 2009 to build the courses and create an exceptional experience. The organization looks forward to resuming the National Tour with the Dynamic Discs Open in late April and hopes that the Beaver State Fling will return stronger than ever in the future.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/2021-beaver-state-fling-canceled