The Midwest Invasion is here!
Well, this is it folks! Years of planning and networking and promoting and practicing and preparing have brought us to this final week before the biggest women’s event in the history of our sport. The USWDGC starts this week in Madison, WI, and women from all over the country and the world will converge upon the Midwest. Coming off the heels of the ten-year anniversary of the DOLLs WiscoDisco, which was also in Madison, this event set the tone for the coming weekend. Over 80 women showed up for two amazing rounds in both rain and sun, and that palpable, electric energy was certainly present. Sarah Hokom and Chris Zagone showed up AFTER the tournament just to hang out and enjoy some vibes. My wife and I were there, and we both agreed; this week will be EPIC.
If you have been following my blog, you know the primary reason I am such a huge proponent for women’s disc golf is because my wife Alyssa. She’s been playing as long as I have, and for her, this week will be the biggest disc golf experience of her life. She shared her thoughts about her expectations. She says, “The comradery that I recently experienced at WiscoDisco is unlike any other event, so I expect to feel that same kind of energy a thousand times more at USWDGC.” This will be Alyssa’s 4th A-Tier event, and her second major. “The sheer number of participants is overwhelming!”, she says. “But I also have friends from all over the country that I have met because of this sport, and this will be a unique opportunity to see them all in one place. I have discovered that the women in this sport are very welcoming, and these friendships have become lifelong relationships. It’s great to travel the country playing disc golf, meeting amazing women, and all of us coming together for this amazing national experience”, she says. I asked her if she was nervous to be playing on such a big stage. Alyssa says, “It’s never a bad round because of the support and laughter and fun. How can you have a bad time?” I agree with her; the ladies focus on lifting each other up. Sure, the competition can be fierce, but the overall vibe is ‘togetherness’.
Madison is in our back yard, and we visit a few times each year. But for many, this will be your first time to the city. I reached out again to Sarah Cahill, Social Media Coordinator for the event and the PDGA, for some tips and pointers on what to expect and how to prepare for this week. She wanted to share her 7-point plan:
1. Attend Gregg Barsby's free clinic on Wednesday at Hiestand.
2. Pack sunscreen, bug spray, and water.
3. Make sure both you and your caddy are familiar with the dress code and courtesy rules.
4. If you're unsure about how to play your next shot in a weird rules situation, announce and take a provisional shot, play out the hole both ways, and ask the course director after your round.
5. Keep a pdf of your caddy guide handy on your phone to reference layouts and OB rules.
6. In case of a lost disc, everyone on the card needs to help look for it for three minutes or until the player declares it lost.
7. Have fun! This is a fantastic week to make new friends from around the country and one of the most special women's disc golf events.
Sarah and Tony Cahill
In addition to these great tips, you should also be aware of the parking areas near each course. After each round, be sure to get out there and support the local businesses. Skip the Applebee’s and head to the local diner or brewery. Come out and watch the pros as they battle for the win. I expect there will be many great story lines, amazing golf, and just fun to be had by all. If you see me or Alyssa out there, stop and say hello, we’d love to meet you. For everybody playing this weekend, may your discs fly high and true. Cheers!
