Women's National Championship Sets New Record with Largest Field Yet

The United States Women's Disc Golf Championships have come a long way since their humble beginnings in 1999. That year, Harold Duvall organized the first women's national championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, with just 21 participants competing across two divisions. Fast-forward to the present day, and the event has grown exponentially, welcoming over 160 competitors to Lansing, Michigan, this year.

Lansing is no stranger to hosting women's-only disc golf events, thanks in part to the efforts of Erin Oakley, a member of the PDGA Women’s Committee. The Capital City Renegades disc golf club has been running Disc Girls Gone Wild for years, and their experience shines through in the smooth organization of the USWDGC.

As one would expect from a women's-only event, there is a unique dynamic at play. While competition is undoubtedly fierce, the atmosphere remains largely casual and friendly. Oakley attributes this to her focus on making events enjoyable for female participants: "I try to make things fun for the women," she explains. To achieve this, they offer homemade player packs filled with creative items, such as puzzles featuring course maps or unique crafts.

One of the most iconic traditions at the USWDGC is the doubles round, which takes place on Thursday and sees competitors donning elaborate costumes – a custom started by Zoe Andyke several years ago. While it's clear that camaraderie is a priority, the event remains a PDGA Major, with the coveted United States Women’s Championship title up for grabs.

Over four rounds will be played across three days (Friday to Sunday), using shotgun starts to keep the competition fresh and engaging. Many top events opt for traditional tee times, but Oakley's expertise in running women-only events has led her to adopt a more relaxed approach: "Women like to hang out with each other when they're not playing," she notes, "so we do it this way."

Burchfield Park is the exclusive venue for the tournament, offering four unique layouts across its two permanent courses. The beautifully maintained grounds provide a picturesque backdrop for the competition, featuring an array of terrain types – open spaces, wooded areas, and hilly sections – including a few holes that incorporate the region's famous toboggan runs.

The park staff deserves special mention, as Oakley praises their dedication to maintaining the courses: "They take huge pride in their work," she says. "These are some of the most beautiful courses in Michigan."

With 11 women having shared the US Women’s Championship title over nearly two decades, four have achieved a remarkable feat – winning the event twice. Among them is Sarah Hokom, who claimed victory in both 2013 and 2016. This year, Paige Pierce has the chance to join their ranks by claiming her third title.

The competition kicks off at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 21, with a feature card that includes some of the top contenders – including Pierce, Liz Carr-Sypien, Kristin Tattar, and Hailey King. Fans can follow live updates and scores on pdgalive.com throughout the event, as well as watch coverage from Jomez Productions and The Disc Golf Guy on YouTube.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/lansing-set-host-largest-ever-us-womens-disc-golf-championships