The Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) came to Nashville over Easter Weekend, played as the Music City Open.
The DGPT runs from February through October, hitting sites across the U.S. and beyond. A new sport to many fans, those attending learned how things work and some basic etiquette rules, too, such as “Please stand still and be silent” when an athlete throws. Like traditional golf, the players walk an 18-hole course encountering many obstacles, and some players have caddies. The dress was casual, with some contenders sporting equipment logos on their clothes, and many of the disc golf holes had branding from backers.
The tournament was played at Mill Ridge Park, and the weather wasn’t accommodating, with rain, wind, and unseasonably chilly temperatures.
In addition to the competition, there was a vending village with many food options. Of course, plenty of people sold discs and accessories related to the sport. Fans could meet up with the stars of the DGPT for signing sessions, and a special expanded sale was held on Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. that featured more exclusive items and merchandise being sold by the disc golfers themselves.
Courtesy Music City Nashville
It wouldn’t be an event in Music City without including music and the arts, and we met Guardians Alien – a disc golf community from Ohio. Artists Logan Walden and Jerod Black were on site working on a large-scale panel as part of their effort to paint 18 murals that revolve around the theme of “Intergalactic Disc Golf.” Each mural represented a different hole or concept built around a disc golf course amidst science fiction landscapes and characters. They also had smaller pieces, clothing, and disc golf collectibles for sale as they followed the DGPT in 2023.
On the music front, Nashville’s most famous guitar manufacturer, Gibson Brands, could not resist attaching their name to such a fun event. So, they sponsored the 16th hole, where the closest disc to the basket or the first to hole out would win a guitar from them. Gibson also provided the championship trophies.
Hoisting that prize high in the air on the men’s side was German-born Simon Lizotte, who was given a 2 percent chance of winning the Music City Open at the start of the tournament. Still, an impressive score of 54 gave him a one-stroke victory over runner-up Anthony Barela. Lizotte, who said he plays guitar when not playing disc golf, was also given a first-place check cut for $8,000, which is nice work for a few days’ walk in the park.
The Music City Open showcased the top talent and was a fun introduction to the professional side of disc golf. Check out the DGPT if it comes to your town.
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Related Links: For more information on the MUSIC CITY OPEN and the other organizations mentioned, please visit the following links – Disc Golf Pro Tour | Guardian Aliens Disc Golf Club | Friends of Mill Ridge Park
