Assosa University Disc Golf Association Hosts Second PDGA Event in Ethiopia | Professional Disc Golf Association
Date Published
The inaugural African Disc Golf Tour's second event, the Ethiopian Open 2019, has come to a close, and what an unforgettable experience it was! Hosted by Assosa University Disc Golf Association, this year's tournament saw 42 players from various countries, including Finland, the US, Zambia, and Ethiopia, gather for an action-packed competition.
Organizers Yohannes Desalegn and John Luetzow had been working tirelessly for months to make this event a reality. They faced numerous challenges, from battling with customs regulations to dealing with unexpected health issues that left them without key officials' signatures. Despite these hurdles, they persevered, ensuring that the players received their player's packs, complete with hats, shirts, and discs.
The sponsorship effort was led by Innova Disc Golf, which provided a generous package for each player. Other sponsors, including Zing Mini Discs and I Fling Plastic, contributed significantly to the event's success. John Luetzow from I Fling Plastic raised $12,000 in player sponsorships, covering local players' fees and expenses.
One of the highlights of the tournament was the achievement by Kevin Derrick from Chicago, IL, USA, who became the first player in Africa to score an ace. Following closely on his heels, Elem Katambo from Zambia, a PDGA Coordinator, made history by hitting the first-ever Ethiopian ace.
The success of the event has sparked excitement among local players, with training already underway for future competitions. Yohannes and John have begun planning for the next Ethiopian Open in 2020 and are contemplating the African Open 2021. Meetings with local organizers and sponsors are already under way to ensure that these events become a major force in the continent's disc golf scene.
As the African Disc Golf Tour continues to grow, one thing is certain – the enthusiasm of players and organizers alike will only continue to drive this exciting new chapter in Africa's sporting history.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/assosa-university-disc-golf-association-hosts-second-pdga-event-ethiopia