Scandinavian Open Returns with a Bang: Europe's Premier Disc Golf Event
Date Published
The city of Skellefteå in northern Sweden is gearing up to host one of the most prestigious disc golf events in Europe – the Scandinavian Open. For over two decades, the organization has been at the forefront of promoting disc golf in Scandinavia, hosting massive tournaments that have set new standards for the sport.
In 2008 and 2010, Skellefteå was awarded PDGA Majors, which saw a record-breaking number of spectators attend the events. The Scandinavian Open in 2010, in particular, drew a huge crowd with close to 1000 paying visitors and several hundred more watching during the qualifying days.
This year's event promises to be even bigger and better, thanks to the support from local and international sponsors. The tournament will take place on the challenging Discgolf Terminalen course, which has undergone some design changes since its last use for a PDGA Major. The average hole length is an impressive 159.4 meters (523ft.), making it one of the toughest courses in Europe.
Unlike other disc golf events, Skellefteå doesn't believe in creating artificial obstacles or out-of-bounds areas. Instead, players are encouraged to navigate through the course using their skills and strategy. The emphasis is on smart play, with strategically placed fairway shots and precision recovery shots being key to success.
The current field consists of 158 competitors from 11 countries, including a record 32 Americans who have traveled across the Atlantic for this event. The players will be divided into two divisions – Open and Open Women – and will compete in a series of rounds that will culminate in a final showdown on Saturday.
Throughout the tournament, spectators can expect to see a generous purse estimated at 495,000 SEK (approximately €60,000). Earlier this year, presenting sponsor Latitude 64º produced a special fundraiser disc for the event – the Snow Ballista. A total of 3000 of these unique discs were created, each bearing a different number from 1 to 3000.
More information about the event can be found on the official 2015 Scandinavian Open website, including several walkthrough videos featuring top players such as Dave Feldberg, Devan Owens, and Eric McCabe. Scores, news, and updates will also be available on PDGA.com and SOdiscgolf.com throughout the tournament.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/2015-scandinavian-open