Disc Golf's Resilience Shines Through Amid COVID-19 Chaos

The 2020 Waco Annual Charity Open was supposed to be a celebration of disc golf's growth and excitement. Instead, it marked the beginning of a challenging journey for the sport. As COVID-19 spread rapidly across the globe, the disc golf community found itself at a crossroads. Tournaments were cancelled, spectators were prohibited, and players were left wondering what the future held.

For Colton Montgomery, who staged an impressive win on that fateful Friday the 13th in Waco, the news was both unexpected and unwelcome. "I just went out there with the mindset of leaving it all out there," he said, unaware of what lay ahead for the rest of the season.

Brodie Smith made his Elite Series debut at the same event, but like many others, he packed up and headed home as the news spread quickly. Ezra Aderhold, a rising star in the disc golf world, was also forced to cut short his first full tour. "I learned how strong the competition is and how everyone has been so welcoming," he said, reflecting on his time on the course.

As the season came to an abrupt end, the Finnish duo of Eveliina Salonen and Henna Blomroos were poised to make a name for themselves in the US disc golf scene. However, their plans were derailed by the pandemic, leaving them to head back home and regroup for future competitions.

In the face of uncertainty, the disc golf community came together to create something new. Jomez Pro's "ShoMez" was born out of necessity, a variety-type show that brought much-needed humor and entertainment to the sport. The challenge videos, virtual putting league, and Simon Lizotte's double ace video were just a few examples of how players and fans adapted to the changing landscape.

As restrictions began to loosen and a better understanding of the coronavirus emerged, disc golf experienced an explosion in popularity. People needed an escape from quarantine, and disc golf provided an excellent opportunity for people to get outdoors, exercise, and social distance.

Matt Loyd, owner of Dynamic Discs Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas PDGA state coordinator, saw firsthand the growth of disc golf during this time. "We've had so many people pick up disc golf for the first time, so many beginners coming to the shop," he said. "The growth of disc golf right now is nothing like I've seen in 13 years of playing or 10 years of doing it as some sort of income."

As we look back on the journey of disc golf through the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing is clear: the sport's resilience and adaptability shone through even in its darkest moments. Stay tuned to PDGA.com and social media channels for more stories from this unforgettable year.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/2020-display-disc-golf-endures-covid