Still Plenty Of Challenge To Changed Waco | Professional Disc Golf Association

**TITLE:** Paul McBeth Returns to Waco, Seeking 18-Under Mark on Reconfigured Course

**META_TITLE:** Waco Annual Charity Open: McBeth Seeks Repeat Performance

**META_DESCRIPTION:** The Waco Annual Charity Open returns for its third year with a revised course layout, featuring a par-64 design instead of last year's par-67. Paul McBeth and Paige Pierce lead the field in search of another historic performance.

**ARTICLE:**

The Waco Annual Charity Open is back, bringing with it a reconfigured course that promises to provide an even greater challenge for competitors. The Brazos Park East layout, which hosted the event in 2020, has undergone some significant changes, most notably a reduction in par from 67 to 64.

According to Tournament Director Ryan Draper, the decision to change the par was made prior to last year's event but put on hold due to existing course infrastructure. The revised design is intended to create more strategic play and opportunities for low scores. Course designer Joey Harrell has made tweaks to several holes, including a notable reduction in length at hole 18, moving it closer to the water.

The field for this year's WACO features an impressive lineup, with two five-time PDGA World Champions, Paul McBeth and Paige Pierce, leading the charge. McBeth is particularly notable, as he holds the record for the lowest score on the course, achieving a historic 18-under-par performance in 2019. Draper has stated that the revised par does not diminish the significance of this achievement.

"I would venture to guess that Paul would tell you his round was insane, but not perfect," Draper said. "It doesn't change it; everyone had the opportunity to shoot 18-under on that course, and they have the opportunity here too."

McBeth's comments echo this sentiment, emphasizing that he is focused on performing at an elite level rather than solely relying on his past achievements.

The live feature card for WACO will include Paul McBeth, Paige Pierce, and Brodie Smith, a Ultimate Frisbee and trick shot celebrity making his DGPT debut just months after picking up the sport. Smith expressed hope that his participation would inspire more players to compete and share their passion with others.

"I'm hoping that now that I'm competing it gets people who might be on the fence on whether or not they want to compete," Smith said.

Paige Pierce, fresh from a record-breaking performance at The Memorial, is also eager to perform well. Despite struggling in last year's event, she remains confident about her chances, citing the course as one that rewards aggressive play.

The Waco Annual Charity Open kicks off on Thursday, with live coverage available exclusively for Disc Golf Network subscribers starting at 1:45 CT. Post-produced coverage will be made available next-day from various production teams.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/still-plenty-challenge-changed-waco