Meet Brad Pietz, the Mastermind Behind the Disc Golf Pro Tour's Jonesboro Open

Brad Pietz is a name that resonates with disc golf enthusiasts, particularly those familiar with the Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT). As the tournament director of the DGPT - Play It Again Sports Jonesboro Open powered by Prodigy, Pietz has earned recognition for his dedication to delivering exceptional events. We sat down with Pietz to explore his journey in disc golf, insights on tournament directing, and what makes the Jonesboro Open a standout event.

Pietz's introduction to disc golf dates back to 1984 when he was around 11 or 12 years old. His father was instrumental in creating Shreveport's first disc golf course at Clyde Fant Parkway, and Pietz was hooked from his early days on the course. As an adult, Pietz pursued a career in college athletic administration before transitioning into event management. This diverse background made him feel comfortable taking the reins as a tournament director.

The Mid-South Collegiate Open in 2014 marked the first event where Pietz held the title of TD. With years of experience under his belt, he has developed valuable lessons from each event. "Every tournament you organize, you take away positives and negatives and use those to plan the next event," he shares. For a TD, prioritizing tasks varies depending on the event's tier. While a C-Tier focuses on ensuring amateur players have a great time, higher-tier events demand more attention to detail regarding course conditions and rules.

As the tournament director for the Jonesboro Open, Pietz' goal is dual-faceted: provide a world-class venue for top players while also ensuring they have an enjoyable experience. Seeing the excitement on spectators' faces as they enter the facility brings him immense joy. His advice for first-time event hosts? "Be prepared for any question. If you don't know the answer, say so and try to find out."

Pietz stresses that one often overlooked aspect of tournament directing is the clean-up process after the event. Ensuring the course returns to its original state not only maintains a positive relationship with park departments but also demonstrates respect for the facility.

The Jonesboro Open itself has an interesting history, beginning in 2017 as part of the DGPT's second year. Initially, it attracted fewer players than expected, but through Pietz' efforts and vision, the event has grown significantly over the years. The course at Disc Side of Heaven is a key factor in its success, designed specifically for top-notch competition.

Pietz takes pride in the unique features of his event. The Championship Course, spread over 50 acres dedicated solely to disc golf, presents a thrilling challenge even to professional players. One hole that stands out as a favorite among pros and fans alike is #16 on the Championship Course. Designed by Pietz himself, this shorter Par 5 requires strategic decision-making from top players.

When asked about his favorite hole on the Recreational Course, Pietz points out #14 – a long, sweeping left-to-right shot with an intimidating downhill slope to a basket nestled between trees.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/td-spotlight-brad-pietz