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TheDiscGolfGuyJuly 20, 2023

2023 PDGA Masters Worlds Championships • Deona Smith (FA55) • Janice Jones (FA60)

Watch Deanna Smith, FA55 Champion, reflect on her thrilling journey to victory at the 2023 PDGA Masters Worlds Championships. Deanna shares her emotional battle out on the course, revealing how she started strong but struggled mid-tournament before making a comeback in the semifinals. She also opens up about the mental preparation required to play for a world championship, citing the heat and nerves as major factors. Deanna talks about the support she received from friends, family, and her caddy throughout the week, highlighting the impact it had on her performance. As the new FA55 Champion, Deanna discusses what this title means to her, having only been playing for three and a half years. She also shares her aspirations to compete professionally, specifically in the 50+ division, and how winning Worlds has paved the way for future opportunities.

Watch Deona Smith & Janice Jones at the 2023 PDGA Masters Worlds Championships. Two female aces compete in a prestigious disc golf event.

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Video Transcript

foreign welcome back joining us now is our fa 55 Champion Deanna worth look like an incredible battle out there this week but that's just what I see on the scorecard why don't you explain it for us um I started out strong and each day I kind of went down and then in the semifinals I was in the lead by four but I I was plain too safe and then I came back today and said I have to I have to fight talk about the nerves and what it feels like to be playing for a world championship as you said you started out strong nerves he what was it throughout the week for you um well the heat is definitely but I'm from Reno I'm used to playing in Tahoe in these elevations so that gave me an advantage um yeah it's it's hot out here and I just uh I don't know I just told myself mentally I had to be strong and just keep fighting through to get here elaborate on some of the support that you receive probably throughout the week oh yeah all my friends back home that I play all the girls I play disc golf with were you know texting me every day telling me I had my friend Sue Perales call me and Coach me and tell me what how to do this and I tried to listen to her I listened to my caddy it helped having a caddy for the semi in the final it just made a big difference so to my husband what does it mean to be called a world champion oh my God I've only been playing for three and a half years so I guess I'm competitive still you certainly are and what's next is that another run out of title within the amateur divisions you have aspirations to play pro what's what's next in your competitive career I have aspirations to go pro I'm in the 50 plus so I told myself when I did play this tournament that if I took first that I may go to the women's worlds and play so in the Pro so now I just gotta make that decision well the decision was made here on this final hole at Worlds that is Diana where she is our champion in the fa 55 division again...

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