Disc Golf Pro Dean Pfeifer Sees Age as an Advantage

Dean Pfeifer is an unlikely star in the world of disc golf. At 56 years young, he's been dubbed "Grandmaster" Dean by his peers. But don't let his age fool you - this Philadelphia, MS resident has got game. In fact, when it comes to turning in low scores, he plays as young as anyone on the course.

Pfeifer's recent success is no fluke. He won the grandmasters division at the USDGC qualifier and then tied for one of the last two spots with a three-way tie-breaker at the Southern National Pro Championships in Mobile, AL. But Pfeifer wasn't the only one to shine - Donald Ellsworth of Allen, TX (-13), Jason Makarovich of Tucker, GA (-7), pro master Darryl Daugherty of Eight Mile, AL (-9), and Matt Dollar of Macon, GA (-8) also earned their spots at the USDGC.

One of the longest-running USDGC qualifiers, the Southern National Pro Championship has maintained a strong connection with the USDGC over the years. The tournament's deep southern roots have fostered a sense of community among competitors, and this year was no exception. A hot and muggy Mobile, AL weather only added to the challenge, but Pfeifer said it brought out the best in him.

"I feel like I can put a pretty good game together, but I need to play a lot," Pfeifer explained about his competitive drive. At 976-rated, Pfeifer is no stranger to impressive finishes. In 2009, he won grandmasters at the Vibram Open, and two years prior, he tied for 16th in masters at Vibram's open field - a feat that left many younger players in awe.

Pfeifer took up disc golf at age 44 and quickly turned pro due to his intense competitive drive. Now living in rural Mississippi, an hour away from any course, Pfeifer often drives 3.5 hours to tournaments, some of which he plays open. He credits his age as a blessing - younger players initially underestimate him only to be surprised by his skills on the course.

Darryl Daugherty, also competing at the USDGC for the first time, is hoping to buck his previous trend and finish under par for the first time. As one of the longest-running competitors in the sport, Pfeifer knows what it takes to make it far - but he's also aware that age can be both a blessing and a curse.

"I've got an edge over some of these younger players," Pfeifer admitted with a grin. "But I'm not resting on my laurels just yet. I'm still hungry for more." With his sights set on the USDGC, Pfeifer is ready to take on the competition once again and prove that age is just a number when it comes to disc golf.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/56-year-old-qualifies-for-usdgc