Junior Disc Golfers Take Centre Stage in Inaugural USJDGC Championship
Date Published
The inaugural United States Junior Disc Golf Championship has officially kicked off at Smugglers' Notch Resort in Vermont, marking a significant milestone for young disc golf enthusiasts across the country. The event, which brings together staff from four organizations – Kids Disc Golf, Eagles Wings Disc Golf, the Green Mountain Disc Golf Club, and Smugglers' Notch Resort – aims to crown the first-ever Official Junior National Champions.
The idea of hosting the championship at Smugglers' Notch Resort was pitched by Matt Grayum, Founder and Director of Kids Disc Golf, who saw an opportunity to create a perfect fit for the event. Jeff Spring, Tournament Director of the Green Mountain Championship, enthusiastically agreed to partner with Grayum's organization, citing the impressive progress made by Kids Disc Golf in promoting youth disc golf in the New England area.
Josh Grayum, Matt's brother and co-director at Kids Disc Golf, is serving as Tournament Director for the event, and has been pleased with the strong competition unfolding on the first day of play. The MJ18 division is currently tied between Justin Gilbert and Alden Harris, while local Tom Shanley holds an advantage in knowing the courses well after competing in several events at the Smuggs Disc Golf Center.
Meanwhile, other divisions feature significant leads, including Lily Marr's eight-stroke lead in FJ15 and Lilly Ruthen's 11-stroke lead in FJ12. Ruthen, a two-time Junior World Champion, is looking to add another title to her resume.
The action off the course has been just as exciting, with Kids Disc Golf bringing Dustin and Hannah Leatherman of Eagles Wings Disc Golf on board to help plan and execute the event. Hannah, a U.S. Champion herself, ran a free pro clinic on Friday with Paige Pierce, which was one of many activities lined up for participants, including a kick-off country fair, free ice cream social, bonfire, and fireworks.
As a resort that prides itself on being kid-friendly, Smugglers' Notch Resort was an ideal partner for the event. Jeff Spring noted that the partnership with Kids Disc Golf fits nicely with their family-focused approach to hospitality.
"We're thrilled to be hosting this event at our resort," Spring said. "We designed our courses with multiple tee boxes to make them accessible for families and challenging for pros alike."
The second round will see competitors return to Brewster Ridge, while the third and final round on Sunday will take place at Fox Run Meadows, a course known for its increased distance and out-of-bounds challenges.
With room for leads to be lost and charges to be made in the final round, the competition is set to heat up. Stay tuned for more updates from the inaugural USJDGC Championship!
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/inaugural-united-states-junior-disc-golf-championships-first-day-books