Record-Breaking Field of Women Compete in the 19th Annual USWDGC Championship
Date Published
The 19th annual United States Women's Disc Golf Championships (USWDGC) is underway in Lansing, Michigan, and it's breaking records left and right. Since its inception in 1999 by Harold Duvall in Charlotte, North Carolina, the tournament has grown exponentially, with this year's field boasting an impressive number of over 160 women competing for the national title.
Lansing, Michigan, has a strong disc golf culture, thanks in part to the Capital City Renegades club and PDGA Women's Committee member Erin Oakley. The city's women-only events, such as Disc Girls Gone Wild, have created a unique atmosphere that balances competition with camaraderie. This year's USWDGC is no exception, with an air of friendly rivalry filling the air.
According to Oakley, making women's events fun and engaging is key. She takes pride in incorporating creative touches, like homemade player packs and puzzles on the course, which add a special touch to these tournaments. "We have some crafty girls," she says, highlighting the community's enthusiasm for innovative ideas.
As the competition heats up, the format remains true to form. Four rounds will be played over three days, with shotgun starts providing an opportunity for socializing among the participants. Oakley emphasizes that women enjoy spending time together when not competing, and the informal atmosphere allows friendships to flourish.
The tournament is being held exclusively at Burchfield Park, where four layouts will be played across two permanent courses. The park's meticulously manicured grounds showcase a beautiful mix of open, wooded, and hilly terrain, including some unique features like toboggan runs – a staple in Michigan disc golf.
As the women take on these challenging courses, the stakes are high for the title of United States Women's Champion. Only 11 women have shared this distinction over nearly two decades, with four repeating champions and one three-time winner. Paige Pierce has a chance to join their ranks by claiming her third consecutive win.
The first round begins at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 21, featuring a star-studded field including Pierce, Liz Carr-Sypien, Kristin Tattar, and Hailey King. Follow the action live on pdgalive.com, with video coverage available from Jomez Productions and The Disc Golf Guy on YouTube.
Scores & information can be found at www.pdga.com/2018uswdgc.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/lansing-set-host-largest-ever-us-womens-disc-golf-championships