Grand Rapids Hosts Inaugural Professional Masters Disc Golf World Championships
Date Published
The stage is set for a thrilling week of disc golf competition as the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan hosts the inaugural Professional Masters Disc Golf World Championships. Over the next five days, 22 world champions will be crowned in addition to the seven already awarded earlier this year at Pro Worlds and Am/Jr Worlds.
A total of 180 competitors from five countries will vie for top honors across seven divisions, with seven Grand Rapids-area courses being used throughout the event. Michigan's reputation for hosting high-caliber disc golf tournaments is well-established, and fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the action to unfold in Grand Rapids.
One of the most compelling storylines entering the Masters Worlds is the presence of JohnE McCray, the current world champion who also finished a tie for third place at Pro Worlds in June. As one of the highest-rated players in the event with a rating of 1024, shared by fellow competitor and world champion Barry Schultz, expectations are high for both players.
The Masters division will face their toughest challenge yet on the opening round as they take on the notoriously difficult Black Falcon DGC course. With its 20-hole layout and punishing terrain, Black Falcon is a true test of skill and endurance. California's Shasta Criss, one of the top competitors in the Masters division, has praised the course for pushing players to their limits.
"It's the biggest mental challenge," said Criss. "People are thrown off by the 'schule' there. It is what it is, and you have to throw it in the fairway." With its unique layout and difficulty, Black Falcon has the potential to be a true separator course.
The Masters Worlds will be an endurance contest like no other, with the larger divisions competing in six rounds over four days. Those who excel will face additional challenges in the semifinal round on Saturday morning and the Final 9 round for select competitors. With a total of seven Grand Rapids-area courses being used throughout the event, fans are in for a treat as they watch their favorite competitors battle it out for world championship glory.
For those looking to follow the action, live coverage will be available on pdgalive.com, with updates, pictures, and videos coming in via @pdgalive on Twitter. More information can be found on the official 2017 Masters World website at www.pdga.com/2017mastersworlds.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/2017mastersworlds/inaugural-masters-world-championship-kicks-off-grand-rapids