The Unsung Heroes of Disc Golf: Getting to Know Ryan Draper

Ryan Draper is a name synonymous with excellence in the world of disc golf. As the tournament director for the Disc Golf Pro Tour's Waco Annual Charity Open and course designer for the Emporia Country Club at the Dynamic Discs Open, he has earned a reputation as one of the most skilled and dedicated professionals in the sport.

I caught up with Ryan to learn more about his journey into disc golf and how he got started. His story is one that many avid players can relate to – a friend's enthusiasm was contagious, and before long, he was hooked. "I had a buddy who was into disc golf," Ryan explained. "He would always try to get me to go, but I was never interested at first. Then one day, I asked him to explain the game to me, and I think it was an instant addiction."

That was over 15 years ago in Cameron Park, Waco. Since then, Ryan has been playing disc golf avidly, with a passion that only grew stronger as he became more involved in the sport.

As a tournament director, Ryan's top priority is providing an exceptional experience for players. "The player experience is what it's all about," he said. "You have to pay attention to every little detail to ensure that everything runs smoothly and fairly." He emphasizes the importance of anticipating potential issues and being prepared to mitigate them.

Ryan has been involved with the Waco Annual Charity Open (WACO) for several years, taking over as tournament director from Channon Quillen. With a history spanning 26-27 years, this event has seen its fair share of ups and downs. "It's been every possible tier of tournament," Ryan said. "We've had C-Tiers, B-Tiers, A-Tiers, Super Tour events... it's been one of everything."

When asked about what makes the Beast such a popular course, Ryan cited its unique blend of park-style holes, open-style holes, and heavily wooded sections. "It's got everything," he said. "There are no other courses that do as well at combining these different styles." He also praised the course for its challenging fairways and punishing rough – "If you get off a fairway, it's gnarly."

Ryan's favorite hole on the Beast is number 17, which he describes as a dramatic and beautiful finish to the course. When I asked him about the age-protected and amateur event at WACO this year, which starts on Saturday and ends on Monday, Ryan explained that it was a natural progression for the tour. "We wanted to give those players a chance to experience what we do," he said.

The response to the new format has been overwhelmingly positive, with many players appreciating the chance to compete without having to worry about fitting their schedule around the pros.

Ryan's passion and dedication to disc golf are evident in everything he does. As a tournament director, course designer, and advocate for the sport, he is an invaluable asset to the PDGA Elite Series and beyond.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/tournament-director-spotlight-ryan-draper