Originally published at: https://discgolf.ultiworld.com/2021/12/28/2023-pdga-pro-worlds-to-return-to-smugglers-notch-in-vermont/
The 2023 Professional Disc Golf Association Professional World Championships are returning to Jeffersonville, Vermont, at the Smugglers’ Notch Resort, which hosted the 2018 Pro Worlds won by Gregg Barsby and Paige Shue.
The PDGA announced the full slate of 2023 Major locations this week, which included its three Open Majors: Pro Worlds; the newly minted Champions Cup, which will head to Milford, Michigan; and the US Women’s Disc Golf Championship, which will be held in Burlington, North Carolina, between Greensboro and Durham.
Jeff Spring, the CEO of the Disc Golf Pro Tour, will serve as Tournament Director for Pro Worlds; he hosts the annual Green Mountain Championship on the Fox Run and Brewster Ridge courses that will play host to the ’23 Worlds.
“Being awarded the PDGA Pro Worlds in and of itself is an incredible honor, but to serve as Tournament Director for the second time at the 2023 Championship is particularly special,” said Spring in a statement. “It affirms the incredible stewardship the team at Smugglers’ has dedicated to the Disc Golf Center after my departure in 2019. We loved hosting 2018 Pro Worlds and learned so much. With that experience, and the subsequent growth of the sport, we hope to reach new heights for professional disc golf through the 2023 edition.”
The PDGA said that they expect to be able to accommodate around 3,000 spectators on the final day of competition.
The Champions Cup will travel from Appling, GA, next spring to Milford, MI, in 2023 and be held on the Toboggan course that hosts the annual Great Lakes Open and the US Amateur Disc Golf Championships. Nate Heinold, the TD of the Ledgestone Insurance Open and Great Lakes Open as well as the President of the PDGA Board of Directors, will serve as the Tournament Director.
“The Toboggan course sits on one of the most incredible properties in disc golf,” said Heinold. “The course offers incredible viewing opportunities for spectators and is spread out enough to fit over 2000 spectators on site. The elevation at the Toboggan course is what really sets apart the course from other venues…Being involved in the creation of this event really inspired me to want to host this event, and it only made sense to bring this to the Toboggan course.”
The US Women’s Championship will be held in central North Carolina at Cedarock Park in Burlington, which is host to two permanent courses and a third temporary course that is being made permanent next year. The park hosted the 2013 US Masters Championships. Chuck Connelly is the proposed TD for the event.
“Cedarock Park has been home to disc golf for almost four decades and will be the venue for all three courses being used for the 2023 UWSDGC,” said Connelly. “A strong committee has been formed to create a balanced, competitive, and most importantly, enjoyable week for all in attendance. With Tim Barr at my side and Elaine King to help guide us with extracurricular activities and a huge supporting staff of seasoned TDs, state coordinators, hall of fame members, and experienced volunteers, we have our goal set to offer every competitor one of the best tournament experiences of their lives.”
The PDGA received only one bid to host the World Championships and Champions Cup in 2023; five bids came in for the US Women’s DGC.
Additionally the following locales were selected for the other 2023 PDGA majors for amateurs and age protected divisions:
- 2023 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships: Peoria, IL
- 2023 PDGA Masters Disc Golf World Championships: Flagstaff, AZ
- 2023 PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships: Peoria, IL
- 2023 PDGA Tim Selinske United States Masters Championships: Eugene, OR