Behind the Scenes with Brian Cole: The Man Bringing the Portland Open to Life

Brian Cole is a man who wears many hats in the world of disc golf. As the Tournament Director of the Portland Open, he's responsible for bringing one of the most iconic events on the Disc Golf Pro Tour to life. But Brian's involvement with disc golf goes far beyond just organizing tournaments. He's also the Operations & Logistics Director for the DGPT, and has a deep understanding of what makes a successful event.

We caught up with Brian to learn more about his journey in disc golf, his experiences as a tournament director, and what advice he'd give to those looking to follow in his footsteps.

Brian's introduction to disc golf came in 2007 when he was living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was at Brewer Park that he first witnessed skilled players throwing 400-foot drives, and it wasn't long before he was hooked. He spent countless hours playing at Flip City and attending tournaments, including the 2008 Pro Worlds in Kalamazoo.

In 2010, Brian began organizing his own events, starting with the Stumptown Slosh, a winter series that's become a staple of the Portland disc golf community. It was through this experience that he learned the importance of preparation and planning, crediting Jeff Hagerty, former Beaver State Fling TD, for teaching him the ropes.

When it comes to his role as a tournament director, Brian emphasizes the need to deliver a professional experience to all involved, including competitors, volunteers, staff, spectators, parks, and neighbors. He's constantly striving for improvement, taking notes and refining processes to ensure that every event is better than the last.

One piece of advice he offers to those hosting their first event is to be proactive – don't wait for things to come together on their own. Instead, take initiative, talk to course staff and players, and identify areas where you can make a positive impact.

Brian also stresses the importance of having a fresh perspective when organizing events, particularly if it's at your home course or one that you know well. It's easy to overlook simple details that might affect competitors' experiences.

When asked about his thoughts on marking tournament obstacles (OBs), Brian acknowledges that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. He believes that natural OBs are the lowest impact option, but can be vague. Marking paint is aesthetically unpleasing and often arbitrary, while string is labor-intensive but more effective.

The success of Stumptown Disc Golf Club, which has played a significant role in Brian's involvement with the Portland Open, can be attributed to its focus on continual improvement, community engagement, and mentorship. Being located in Portland also hasn't hurt – the city has a rich disc golf history that dates back decades.

As for the Portland Open itself, it's grown steadily over the years, becoming one of the premier west coast events in disc golf. In 2019, Brian helped facilitate the event as President of Stumptown Disc Golf, and this year marks his second time directing the tournament. The event has expanded to include Glendoveer Golf Course, with a redesigned East course that promises an even more exciting experience for competitors and spectators.

Getting Blue Lake back into the mix was crucial for Brian and the Portland Open team – there's something special about returning to a course that holds so much history and nostalgia for players. And with its unique blend of Pacific Northwest charm, flora, fauna, and community spirit, the Portland Open is truly one-of-a-kind.

As for his favorite holes at Blue Lake and Glendoveer, Brian has no hesitation in recommending Hole 1 at Blue Lake (who doesn't love a good roller hole?) and Hole 5 at Glendoveer (epic tee shot, epic views).

If you're planning to attend the 2022 Portland Open, get ready for an unforgettable experience. With incredible disc golf action, stunning scenery, and a community that's second-to-none, it's an event not to be missed.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/td-spotlight-brian-cole