Kansas City Hosts Thrilling 2018 PDGA Pro Masters World Championships

The Paris of the Plains is abuzz with excitement as Kansas City prepares to host the 2018 PDGA Pro Masters World Championships. This esteemed event has a rich history in the city, which boasts one of the oldest disc golf clubs in the country – the Kansas City Flying Disc Club (KCFDC). The KCFDC has been instrumental in organizing numerous high-level tournaments, including 11 National Tour events and three world championships.

A talented team of staff members will be working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a seamless experience for competitors and spectators alike. Tournament Director Scott Reek is a seasoned veteran with over a decade of experience in the disc golf scene and has served as Kansas' PDGA State Coordinator for several years. His assistant is equally skilled, having earned a reputation as one of the best in the business.

The KCFDC, which boasts an impressive 400 active members and thousands more in its Rolodex, relies on a dedicated team to maintain its numerous leagues and courses. The club's dedication to the sport is evident in the 13 different leagues it offers each week – a feat that would be daunting for most cities.

However, the KCFDC recently suffered a loss with the passing of Van Spratford, a beloved volunteer who was known as "a calming presence and gracious host." His departure has cast a somber tone over an otherwise celebratory event.

The 2018 PDGA Pro Masters World Championships will be played across four courses in both Kansas and Missouri. The preliminary rounds (Tuesday-Friday) will split the field between the two states, with the Pro Masters 40+ and Pro Masters 50+ divisions playing on the Missouri side, while the rest will compete on the Kansas side. On Saturday, all divisions will reunite at Waterworks for the semifinals and finals.

The four courses that will be hosting the tournament are some of the most exceptional in the country. In Kansas City, Kansas, Rosedale Park features two permanent courses – Up Top and Down Under – with Up Top being the chosen course for the Masters Worlds. The course winds its way through open areas near a prominent bluff, making wind a significant factor.

Heritage Park in Overland Park, Kansas, is renowned for its natural beauty and unique charm. Despite being located in the heart of the city, it provides an immersive forest-like experience with perfectly manicured grass fairways and greens. The course was designed by Scott Reek himself, who has been fortunate enough to work for the department that runs the park.

Waterworks Park in Kansas City, Missouri, is a legendary course that combines stunning elevation changes with lush greens. This challenging layout will push even the most skilled players to their limits. Bad Rock Creek (Stocksdale Park) in Liberty, Missouri, is the longest and perhaps most open of the four courses, but its defined rough, elevation changes, water hazards, and marked out-of-bounds areas ensure that difficulty is never far behind.

The competition promises to be fierce, with top players from around the world vying for victory. Barry Schultz (MP40), Ron Convers (MP50), and David Greenwell (MP60) will be looking to add another world title notch to their belts, while Courtney McCoy (FP40), Joe Rovere (MP40), and Patrick Brown (MP50) will be seeking their first win in this esteemed tournament.

Brown's story is particularly inspiring. Despite starting late in the sport – only taking up disc golf in 2004 and competing in professional divisions in 2008 – he has gone on to achieve remarkable success, including winning several National Tour events and the title of 2016 Tim Selinske US Masters Champion. This week marks his first run as a Masters 50+ competitor.

The main event begins at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, with live scores and updates available throughout the week on pdgalive.com, accompanied by photos, videos, and updates via the PDGA's social media channels.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/2018mastersworlds/news/2018-masters-worlds-preview