Only two weeks and the USWDGC will be in Madison, WI to make history. I have been sharing stories of the people who have helped grow women’s disc golf from all around the country, but this week I want to share my own story about the WiscoDisco, an event hosted by the Disc On! Ladies League and Jenny San Filippo. This weekend will be the 8th annual edition, and my wife and I will be attending.

Our first Wisco experience was back in 2018, but the story starts earlier that year. Back then me, my then girlfriend, sister, and mother were all playing disc golf for about a year. I had heard about the Women’s Global Event and decided to register all three of them without their knowledge. When they found out, they protested that they weren’t ready, and were too nervous to play a tournament. But I knew that the hardest step is the first one and was confident they’d have a great time. In the end my mother dropped out and chose to caddy, but that day ignited a passion in my now wife that has only grown over the years. They had so much fun at this event that within an hour after its conclusion, they had signed up for two more women’s events, the Feather Frenzy, and WiscoDisco.

What I remember most about coming to this event was the atmosphere. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, I could tell this event was something special. The way the women greeted each other with hugs and squeals and laughter was refreshing, and I could really feel the sense of community. It was like a reunion, with women from across the region coming together for a day of fun and comradery. Alyssa and I met women there who we now call life long friends.

And then there were the volunteers. Affectionately known as the ‘ninjas’, they were mostly husbands, brothers, boyfriends and fathers. They helped make the entire experience run very smoothly. That year the event was held at Bird’s Ruins, an amazing course that is both beautiful and brutal at the same time. We practiced the weekend before the event and quickly learned that you do NOT want to be in the rough. Thanks to those ninjas, the ladies could focus on playing and not worry about losing a disc.

I remember being blown away at tournament central. It was the female sensibility that I remember. Little things like chap stick, tissue, and other necessities in each player pack. The handmade trophies. The sponsorship signs. I remember the massive piles of prizes to be raffled off after the event. Everywhere I looked I could sense the amount of love and passion put into this event. I remember thinking, “The boys are doing it wrong; this is what a tournament should feel like.”

I think what stuck with me most on that day was after the event was over, everybody stayed to enjoy the raffle, cheer on the awards ceremony, eat food and drink and be merry. I remember the raffle going on for an eternity, with so many prizes given away. I remember all the laughter, and the hugs, and the genuine support of each other. I remember the smiles on my girlfriend and sister’s faces (and mom too!). I remember that if I was ever going to run a tournament, that I would model it after the WiscoDisco. It was truly a life changing experience for me and my family, and I know it will be for you too.

Good luck to all the women playing this year, I look forward to experiencing that ‘WiscoDisco Feeling’ once more. Cheers!

The Midwest Invasion, Part 7: WiscoDisco

The Midwest Invasion is here!

The Midwest Invasion, Part 6: Sarah Cahill & the USWDGC