PDGA Canada's Growth Spurt Brings Disc Golf Success

In just a few short years, PDGA Canada has established itself as a driving force behind the growth of disc golf in the country. As an independent entity with its own strategy and vision, PDGA Canada is committed to supporting and promoting disc golf activities throughout Canada.

One key aspect of their approach is to reinvest Canadian dollars into local initiatives, rather than sending revenue back to the United States. This decision has paid off handsomely, as evidenced by the impressive growth statistics for 2013. Membership numbers soared by a whopping 34%, from 260 to 348, while the number of sanctioned Tour Events increased by 43% – from 23 to 33.

PDGA Canada's efforts have been instrumental in boosting disc golf participation across the country, particularly in provinces like Alberta and British Columbia. Long-time organizers such as Team St Thomas are joined by new faces like Dave Slater, who hosts the Toronto Island Maple Leaf SuperTour each September. With top-notch TDs at the helm, these events are helping to put Canadian disc golf on the map.

The biennial Canadian Disc Golf Championship in Kamloops, BC remains a highlight of the Canadian calendar, attracting top pros from around the world and featuring a pro purse of over $10,000. The event was jointly sponsored by PDGA USA and PDGA Canada, which also supported the filming of the tournament through Moonrider Productions.

Meanwhile, Canadian players are making their mark on the international stage. Kim Scott-Wood, 2006 Rookie-of-the-Year and current top-ranked player in Canada with a rating of 1024, continues to excel despite playing a limited schedule. In Western Canada, BC's Dave Ross is pushing World Class boundaries, while Rob Sharpe dominates in Alberta.

Canadian players have also achieved notable success at international events. At the 2013 PDGA Pro Disc Golf World Championships in Crown Point, IN, Eric Vandenberg and Elaine King finished 5th in Grandmasters (MPG) and 7th in the pro women's division (FPO), respectively. Elaine's standout performance included a record-breaking 1015-rated round, while Rookie Grandmaster Mike Sullivan shot a blistering 1040-rated 46 in Round 5.

Closer to home, Dave Ross pulled off an incredible comeback at the BC Provincials, delivering a 1055-rated 55 in the final round to win by a single stroke. These impressive performances demonstrate the growing strength and competitiveness of Canadian disc golfers.

As PDGA Canada looks ahead to 2014, they are committed to increasing their support for local initiatives to $12,000 or more. By investing in Canadian resources and promoting disc golf events across the country, they aim to foster a thriving community that will continue to inspire growth and excellence.

The team at PDGA Canada would like to extend their gratitude to Brian Hoeniger, Manager of PDGA Canada, for providing valuable insights and photos for this article.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/2013-banner-year-pdga-canada