Glass Blown Open Brings Disc Golf Frenzy Online Amidst Pandemic

The small town of Emporia, Kansas, is usually abuzz with activity during the Glass Blown Open (GBO) tournament. With 21 nearby courses and thousands of visitors descending on the area, it's a bustling event that showcases the world's best disc golfers. However, this year, the pandemic has forced the cancellation of the in-person celebration.

Instead, Dynamic Discs is stepping up to bring the GBO experience online. Tournament Director Doug Bjerkaas and his team are working tirelessly to recreate the festivities, which include live streams, disc golf activities, and more. The Virtual GBO kicked off on Tuesday with a welcome video from Bjerkaas and Dynamic Discs founder Jeremy Rusco.

Throughout the week, fans can expect a range of events, including a virtual unboxing of the player's pack, a live stream of Eric McCabe eating surströmming (fermented herring infamous for its pungent smell), and even an online tournament on the disc golf simulator Disc Golf Valley. Players will compete in three rounds on three courses, with 128 competitors vying for a spot among the final four.

The idea for the Virtual GBO was born out of inspiration from Burning Man's similar online event. Media Director Bobby Brown was impressed by the creative approach and saw an opportunity to bring the same spirit to disc golf. "It's not about replicating the in-person experience exactly," Brown said, "but about creating something new and engaging for our fans."

Brown is particularly excited about the online tournament, which he believes will provide a taste of what GBO enthusiasts are missing this year. "We can't replace the excitement of being there in person," Bjerkaas noted, "but we're doing our best to make it feel as close to that as possible." When fans are finally given the all-clear and can flock back to Emporia, the town is ready with open arms.

For now, Dynamic Discs is committed to keeping the GBO spirit alive online. The virtual celebration will conclude on Saturday with a digital Block Party and Flymart. If you're missing out on the fun this year, don't worry – there's still plenty of excitement to be had from the comfort of your own home.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/salvaging-spirit