Waco Annual Charity Open Returns with New Par-64 Layout

The Waco Annual Charity Open is back, marking its third consecutive year as one of the premier events on the Disc Golf Pro Tour. This time around, the course has undergone some tweaks to its layout, most notably a change in par from 67 to 64. Tournament Director Ryan Draper explains that this alteration was always part of the plan, but it was decided not to implement it until now due to existing infrastructure.

According to Joey Harrell, the course designer, the main adjustment is on hole 18, which has been shortened by approximately 20 feet and moved closer to the water. "I'm most excited about this change," Harrell says, emphasizing that no drastic modifications were made to ensure a balanced experience for all players.

The field boasts an impressive lineup, with two five-time PDGA World Champions, Paul McBeth and Paige Pierce, taking center stage. McBeth's performance in 2019 was nothing short of remarkable, as he achieved an unprecedented 18-under-par score on the then-par-67 course. Although some may question whether his feat is diminished by the new par-64 layout, Draper insists that it remains a testament to McBeth's exceptional skill.

When asked about the change in par, McBeth downplays its significance: "Everyone had the opportunity to shoot 18-under on that course, and they have the opportunity here too." His confidence stems from his experience on the course, which he believes allows him to appreciate the difficulty of achieving such a high score.

Joining McBeth on the live feature card is Brodie Smith, a former Ultimate Frisbee player turned disc golf enthusiast. This marks Smith's debut in the DGPT and comes after just months of practicing the sport. He hopes his appearance will inspire others to give competitive disc golf a try: "Now that I'm competing, I'm hoping it gets people on the fence thinking about joining us."

Paige Pierce, who recently set a record with her 32-shot under-par performance at The Memorial, is approaching this event with caution. She acknowledges that the course can be challenging for even the most skilled players and is focused on staying aggressive on certain holes.

Catrina Allen, last year's winner, is also looking to bounce back from an inconsistent start to the season. Despite struggling early in the year, she has traditionally performed well at Waco and is optimistic about her chances: "I just love playing here. It's a place where I feel comfortable and can showcase my skills."

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 content from top disc golf production teams will be released next day.

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