New Blood and Old Guard Collide as Disc Golf's Elite Stand Firm

As the dust settles on the 2018 disc golf season, one thing is clear: the sport's elite level remains as strong as ever. The final Directors Poll of the year shows that Paul McBeth, Ricky Wysocki, and Paige Pierce continued to dominate their respective fields, with their long-term success and impressive track records earning them top spots in both the Open and Open Women's categories.

However, this season was not without its surprises. A new wave of young talent has emerged on the touring scene, injecting fresh blood into the sport. Nearly a third of the Open field and half of the Open Women's field were comprised of players who had not been ranked among the top contenders at the start of the season.

Players like Paige Bjerkaas, Kevin Jones, Drew Gibson, Rebecca Cox, and PDGA World Champion Seppo Paju are making a name for themselves on the international stage. European players like Kristin Tattar and Eveliina Salonen also made a significant impact, with Salonen finishing second or better at 13 events.

The poll also highlights some notable performances from established players. Gregg Barsby's fifth-place finish was a remarkable turnaround after starting in 15th place, while Bjerkaas went from being unranked to taking the top spot on the Open Women's list.

On the women's side, five of the top six players maintained their preseason rankings, with Sarah Hokom retaining her third-place spot despite winning the Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship. Hokom currently holds the second-highest rating among women's players in the world.

As we look ahead to 2019, several players are poised for a comeback or a breakout season. Nate Doss, Philo Bratwaite, Cale Leiviska, Jeremy Koling, Austin Turner, Devan Owens, Valarie Jenkins, Jennifer Allen, Melody Waibel, Hannah Leatherman, and Zoe Andyke were all ranked on the preseason poll but struggled to maintain their positions due to lack of attendance or performance.

The Directors Poll will return in 2019 with a new format designed to engage an even broader audience. For now, we extend our gratitude to the directors for their participation and enthusiasm for the sport. With the season just around the corner, it's time to rest up – things are about to get interesting!

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/pdga-directors-poll-end-2018-season