Norway Welcomes the World of Disc Golf in 2021

The picturesque fjords of western Norway will soon host the world's top disc golfers as the Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) makes its highly anticipated debut in Europe. The PCS Sula Open, a joint effort between the PDGA, PDGA Europe, and the Euro Tour, is poised to become one of the premier events on the international circuit.

Gregg Barsby, a seasoned disc golfer who has competed in European events since 2014, expressed his excitement about the development. "You take a second to look around and realize where you are in the world and what you're doing," he said. "At Sula, the water is right there, the mountains, the cliffs – everything. On a clear day when the water is calm, it's a mirror effect."

The PCS Sula Open will be the first international venture for the DGPT, combining the established PCS Open and Sula Open events into one elite competition. The event will take place from July 7-10, just before the European Open, and will feature top players from around the world.

According to Jeff Spring, CEO and Director of the DGPT, the decision to bring the tour to Europe was a long time coming. "For the past year, I've heard from several events and event directors running top-level events in Europe," he said. "I knew that we wanted to bring the tour to Europe, but finding the right circumstances was challenging."

The key to making this partnership work was a conversation between Spring and Mike Downes, PDGA Operations Director. Downes played a crucial role in connecting the DGPT with PDGA Europe and Matej Verl, Tour Manager. "After reviewing the PCS Sula Open, it was clear we had an amazing partner," Spring said.

The event will feature live coverage on the Disc Golf Network, although a decision has not been made yet. "We hope to stream live coverage on DGN and will be pulling out all the stops to make it happen," Spring said. "We will announce more information about live and other event details later this fall."

As one of the most anticipated events in disc golf history, the PCS Sula Open is set to deliver an unparalleled experience for players and spectators alike. With its stunning courses, vibrant community, and rich culture, Norway has become a true destination stop on the international circuit.

"It's just super cool that the Pro Tour is going over there," Barsby said. "As far as the kick-off for them travelling to Europe, you couldn't find a better spot for a unique experience when it comes to location and community."

The PCS Open crew is eager to present two beautiful courses, lovely scenery, and a unique disc golf experience to the world's top players. According to Sivert Overaas, tournament director, "We had some big ambitions starting the PCS Open back in 2016, and it's crazy to see that five years later, Overas Diskgolfpark will be a venue of a DGPT event."

The PCS Sula Open will not only showcase Norway's incredible disc golf courses but also highlight the growing talent pool in Europe. "Bringing a points opportunity to Europe has always been a goal," Spring said. "The Disc Golf Pro Tour wants to make it easier for the growing ranks of European pros to gain points on the DGPT, and encourage more travel to the US in the future."

As disc golf continues to grow globally, the PCS Sula Open promises to be an unforgettable experience for players and spectators alike. With its breathtaking scenery, unique culture, and elite competition, this event is set to become a benchmark for international disc golf events.

"It's going to give so many players the much-needed exposure, increase the depth of the field, and really just continue to grow the sport on a truly an international level," Barsby said. "They're hungry over there for disc golf and it shows. I keep telling a lot of these young guys in the States that they had better get ready, because there are kids in Norway, Finland, Estonia – all over – that are working hard and treating this like the true sport that it is."

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/destination-disc-golf-dgpt-adds-2020-european-stop