Women's Disc Golf Soars to New Heights

The 2022 United States Women's Disc Golf Championships (USWDGC) is shaping up to be a historic event, with record-breaking registrations pouring in. But for many female players, this achievement is not just about the numbers – it's a testament to how far women's disc golf has come over the past decade.

Paige Pierce, one of the sport's biggest stars, remembers when she first started competing in US Women's events back in 2010. At that time, there were only about 20 female players (FPO) vying for spots, and it often seemed like they were fighting for recognition. "We had to prove ourselves," Pierce said. "When we didn't show up to events, people would say 'oh, the women aren't committed.' But now, we're showing everyone that there are thousands of us out here, passionate about the sport."

Pierce's words echo those of her fellow competitors, Kona Panis and Holly Finley. Both players have seen firsthand how women's disc golf has evolved over the years. For Panis, it's a memory she holds dear: "When I was 15, I entered my first tournament, and there were no girls playing. I had to play with the boys. Now, we're seeing more and more young girls coming into the sport."

Finley, too, has witnessed the growth of women's disc golf firsthand. She recalls petitioning tournament directors to allocate more spots for female players when she was first starting out. "We were amazed if we got 40 players," Finley said. "But now, it seems like every year, we're pushing past those numbers and getting even more women involved."

The 2022 USWDGC has already shattered its previous registration record, with over 314 players signed up across 19 divisions just nine days after opening registration. This includes a whopping 95 female pros (FPO) vying for the top spot. The organizers have had to adjust their plans to accommodate the demand, increasing division sizes and pool numbers.

The event itself is set to take place from June 30 through July 3 in Madison, Wisconsin. As Panis aptly put it: "It gives me chills – we're growing, we're here to stay, and people are starting to see our value."

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/uswdgc-smashes-registration-record