College Disc Golf National Championship Sets New Records with Record-Setting Field
Date Published
The College Disc Golf National Championship has grown exponentially since its inception, attracting a record number of participants this year. The 2023 event is set to take place at North Cove Leisure Club in Marion, North Carolina, from Wednesday to Saturday, drawing over 700 players representing more than 80 schools across the country.
Among the record-setting field are several top contenders vying for the championship title. Missouri, last year's national champions, returns a strong lineup, including most of their men's team and women's duo Alexis Kerman and Renae Beasley. The Tigers dominated Division I team titles in 2022, outperforming Liberty, Texas, and Iowa State, who finished in a three-way tie for second place. Kerman and Beasley secured a four-stroke win over Ferris State, which returns Rachel Dupre from the previous year's team.
However, new teams have emerged at the top of the College Disc Golf standings heading into this year's event, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition.
In singles action, 2022 Men's DI champion Robert Burridge has left the field by joining the Disc Golf Pro Tour, opening up opportunities for a new champion to emerge. Rochester Tech's Evan Cole and Illinois State's Collin Thompson, who finished second and third respectively in last year's event, are also back in the running.
Southern Arkansas' Whitney Brown is looking to defend her Women's DI title this year, as several players eye the top prize at the 2023 National Championship.
For those unable to attend the live competition, post-produced coverage of Men's and Women's Division I action will be available on the PDGA's YouTube channel provided by Central Coast Disc Golf and Sky Hyzer Productions. Live scoring is accessible through the PDGA Live app or website, allowing spectators to keep up with the latest developments in real-time.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
It's bigger than ever.
With over 700 players representing over 80 schools across the country, the 2023 College Disc Golf National Championship kicks off Wednesday for four days of competition at North Cove Leisure Club in Marion, North Carolina.
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Included in the record-setting field are the defending national champions Missouri, CDGNC stalwarts Ferris State and Liberty and plenty of new and returning faces ready to make a run at the first PDGA Major of the year.
Missouri swept the Division I team titles a year ago and returns a majority of the men's team and the women's duo of Alexis Kerman and Renae Beasley. On the men's side, the Tigers topped Liberty, Texas and Iowa State, who finished in a three-way tie for second and return for 2023. Kerman and Beasley grabbed a four-stroke win over Ferris State, who returns Rachel Dupre from the 2022 team.
But there are new teams atop the final College Disc Golf standings entering the event.
In singles action, 2022 Men's DI champion Robert Burridge has joined the Disc Golf Pro Tour, leaving the door open to a new champion. Rochester Tech's Evan Cole and Illinois State's Collin Thompson finished second and third, respectively, a year ago and are in the field this year.
Southern Arkansas' Whitney Brown is back to defend her Women's DI title.
Again, plenty of players enter the 2023 National Championship with their eye on the top prize.
Keep Up With The Action
Stay tuned for next-day, post-produced coverage of the Men's and Women's Division I action on the PDGA's YouTube channel provided by Central Coast Disc Golf and Sky Hyzer Productions.
Live scoring is available on PDGA Live at the links below and on the PDGA Live app.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/bigger-ever