Disc Golf's Elite Face New Challenge in Pennsylvania

The countdown has begun for the 2010 PDGA National Tour, which is set to culminate in an electrifying showdown at Blue Mountain in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. The Skylands Classic, scheduled for next week, will witness the crème de la crème of disc golfers tackling a completely new and uncharted terrain – the newly developed courses at Blue Mountain.

What sets this event apart from others is that nearly all participants will be starting with a blank slate when it comes to familiarizing themselves with the course. The Blue Mountain facility boasts an impressive three-mile long stretch, with both the peak and valley courses offering unique challenges for even the most seasoned pros.

Chuck Kennedy, renowned course designer, recently visited the Palmerton site and was thoroughly impressed by the ingenuity of Dan Doyle's design. "The Blue Mountain Peak course is one of the best ski mountain courses I've played across the country," he stated. By incorporating natural pathways and openings, Doyle has created a layout that allows for greater creativity in hole design – a departure from traditional ski hill courses.

Unlike previous events, such as the 2007 PDGA National Tour at Sugarbush, where separate peak and base courses were used, Dan Doyle has designed a hybrid layout that combines the best elements of both the Skyline and Valley courses. This will enable the tournament to accommodate an increasing number of competitors while maintaining a challenging par-70 layout.

The Blue Mountain staff has been instrumental in accelerating the original timeline for hosting top-tier disc golf events at their facility, which is conveniently located just 30 minutes from the Lehigh Valley – where the 2005 PDGA Pro World Championships were held. "The entire organization at Blue Mountain have been great to work with," Doyle praised, crediting President Barb Green's mobilization of the staff in making this event possible.

Fans attending the Skylands Classic will not only witness thrilling competition but also participate in exciting events such as the popular PDGA Touring Players clinic on Thursday evening and a players' party on Saturday. The tournament promises to culminate with an electrifying finish on Sunday afternoon, featuring some of the world's most highly regarded disc golfers.

For more information about the Skylands Classic at Blue Mountain, visit the official tournament website at http://www.nynjdiscgolf.com/new_site/index.php or check out the PDGA Skylands Tournament page to see who will be competing in this next National Tour event.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/skylands-nt-preview