New PDGA Events Assistant Brings Expertise and Humor to the Role

The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) has welcomed a new addition to its team: Todd Lion, who brings a wealth of experience and attention to detail to the role of events assistant. Lion, a native of North Carolina now residing in South Carolina, has been involved in disc golf for over two decades.

A self-proclaimed "numbers guy" with a degree in aerospace engineering, Lion's background in mechanical and heat transfer engineering as a contractor for General Electric gave him a solid foundation in problem-solving. However, it was his passion for disc golf that led him to join the PDGA as a member in 2008.

Lion's experience in the sport spans over a decade, during which he has worn multiple hats at the Upstate Disc Golf Club in South Carolina. He served as tournament director or assistant tournament director in nearly all of the club's local events for five years and was even club president for two years. Lion credits his experience in these roles with helping him develop the skills and attention to detail necessary for success.

"I look for a good event by paying attention to the on-the-ground execution, the nuts and bolts, and the daily grind," Lion explained. "I think that's an area where I excel."

Lion's application to the events assistant position was a natural fit, given his background and experience. The position allows him to combine his passion for disc golf with his expertise in event management.

"When I'm working on a tournament, I want everything to be smooth and seamless," Lion said. "I don't want any issues to come up that could affect the players or the event itself."

As events assistant, Lion will be responsible for supporting events manager Shawn Sinclair in running the PDGA's major events. He'll also be traveling extensively throughout the year, helping with the organization's five remaining National Tours and 11 Majors.

"Todd brings a vast amount of tournament directing experience to the table," Sinclair said. "His knowledge of rules and competition is unparalleled, and he's a great addition to our team."

Despite his dry sense of humor and enthusiasm for sharing photos of his wife's zookeeper colleagues (including adorable baby animals), Lion prefers to fly under the radar. He'd rather be noticed only when something goes wrong.

"It's like being an offensive lineman or referee in football – you shouldn't notice me unless something goes awry," he said with a smile. "That's exactly what I want: to make sure everything runs smoothly, and nobody notices me at all."

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/lion-signs-pdga-events-assistant