Santa Cruz Masters Cup Gets Major Facelift as Local Organizers Prioritize Sustainability

As one of the most renowned professional disc golf tournaments in the world, the Santa Cruz Masters Cup has been a staple on the PDGA National Tour for over three decades. However, behind the scenes, local organizers have been working tirelessly to revamp its namesake course, DeLa, which is home to 112 of the world's top players this weekend. The aim? To preserve the iconic venue and ensure its continued relevance in the modern era of disc golf.

For Tournament Executive Director Braden Coolidge, it's not just about making changes for the sake of change, but rather a deliberate effort to prioritize sustainability. "The long-term sustainability of one of the most iconic courses on the planet" is his stated goal, and he believes that significant modifications are necessary to address environmental concerns and ensure the course remains viable for years to come.

DeLa, which ranks as Disc Golf Course Review's fourth most-played in the world, has been plagued by erosion and other environmental issues due to its hillside terrain. To combat this, organizers have made changes to the course layout, including altering pin placements and modifying the routing of holes. This year, players will begin their tournament on hole 25, shooting up "The Hill," a section that was previously closed off over the winter to prevent further erosion.

One of the most notable changes is the relocation of the legendary "Top of the World" shot, which now comes fourth in the course rather than closing out play. The pin has also been shortened to prevent errant shots from entering the parking lot that serves as tournament central. According to Coolidge, this change not only adds a more relaxed tone to the event but also requires players to be more precise with their shots.

Other modifications include the addition of a mando on hole 9, which keeps the flight path clear of 10's fairway, and the conversion of "I-5" from a par 3 to a par 4. The course now concludes on a shortened version of hole 6, which helps keep spectators out of the road.

The efforts have not gone unnoticed by city officials, who praise the DeLa club for taking ownership of the course's maintenance and upkeep. "It's a really active and robust group," said Mike Godsy, east zone field supervisor for the Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department. "We very much appreciate their engagement and look forward to hosting the tournament for years to come."

As the tournament gets underway, it's clear that the organizers have achieved their goal of preserving a jewel of the disc golf world while also ensuring its continued relevance in the modern era.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/sustainable-santa-cruz