Disc Golf's Elite Gather in Minnesota for Preserve Championship Action
Date Published
The Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) continues its Elite Series dominance with the upcoming 2023 Preserve Championship Powered by Prodigy, taking place at the renowned Airborn Disc Golf Preserve in Clearwater, Minnesota. This picturesque course, designed by touring professional Cale Leiviska, boasts a unique blend of challenging holes and breathtaking scenery.
As the third weekend of consecutive Elite Series events approaches, the stakes are high for the world's top disc golfers competing at the Preserve Championship. The MPO (Masters Professional Open) and FPO (Females Professional Open) fields will play three rounds on the Black Bear course, which Leiviska specifically designed to test the skills of the pros.
Measuring 9,648 feet par 67 for FPO and 11,041 feet par 67 for MPO, the Black Bear course is a true challenge. Players must navigate through a mix of long open fairways, tight wooded holes, and numerous water hazards, forcing them to make precise shots under pressure. For example, Hole 10 requires players to hit a laser-straight shot through a tunnel of trees to an elevated basket, testing their nerves on the final day.
Paige Pierce, the reigning champion from the 2022 Preserve Championship, is looking to replicate her success and win her second title at this event. She took the lead on day one with a scorching hot round and extended it to three strokes over the field on day two. Even in difficult conditions on the final day, Pierce finished five strokes ahead of second place.
Other notable players competing at the Preserve Championship include Ricky Wysocki, Gannon Buhr, and Calvin Heimburg, all of whom have shown impressive form in previous events. However, with hot weather and partly cloudy skies forecasted for this weekend, anything can happen on the course.
For fans unable to attend in person, the live broadcast will be simulcast free on the DGPT YouTube channel for the first round only, while DGN (Disc Golf Network) subscribers can enjoy exclusive coverage throughout the event. Additionally, a press conference featuring some of the top players is scheduled to take place on Thursday at 1-2:20 p.m. CT, live on the DGPT's YouTube channel.
With so much excitement building around this highly anticipated event, be sure to catch all the action from the Preserve Championship Powered by Prodigy. Check back for updates on schedule, live coverage, and more as the tournament unfolds.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/cleared-takeoff-clearwater