Weekly Newsletter #8

Winners at Belton

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome to The Albatross. Your weekly email recapping the disc golf world 🥏

On the lead card this week:

  • The Open At Belton Recap

    • The Open at Belton had some crazy weather. Who took it down?

  • All the links and content to stay updated

    • We got you covered on new discs, merch and the best content from the week

  • Texas States Championships - who takes it down?

    • The Pro Tour Resumes this weekend - Do Ricky and Hailey King repeat?

Let's tee off 

A Silver Series Stacked with Talent 🥈

MPO Recap

Paul McBeth came into this weekend as a favorite for many (myself included). However he started off horrible (especially the front 9) and finished the day at -2. Well back from the pace. Set by Chris Dickerson (shooting -9). 

Dickerson would retain his lead by shooting a hot round in rd 2 and extend his lead (-21) going into Sunday by 6 strokes 🔥 over Ricky, Calvin, Emerson and Clemons (each at -15). 

Paul shot the hot round Sunday and Ricky played solid as well. But it wouldn't be enough as Chris's lead allowed him to cruise to his first victory of the season. 

FPO Recap

Going into the weekend I thought Kristin Tattar would take down the event. But as usual, sports can go either way. 

Valeries sister, Alexis shot the hot round to kick off the tournament. But in the end it would come down to Valerie (from chase card) and Catrina to determine who would win the event. Catrina has been on a mission this year since joining DGA. She would go on to win the event. She is now the top ranked player in FPO, rightfully so. 

You can catch up on the feature and lead card, thanks to the Disc Golf Pro Tour post production.

Oh No - Eagle might need new wings

JK but Eagle did share on his Youtube recently. That his shoulder is still giving him issues and he may require surgery. He injured his shoulder last year before the start of the DGPT Championships in October. 

He took 4th at LVC this year but has been avoiding forehands and also the Texas swing (due to the forehands needed to succeed there). 

He recently underwent an MRI. To see if he has a torn Labrum Tear. If so, he'll be out for awhile. But he is considering Stem Cell Therapy. Which would speed up his recovering. But these things always take time.

Galvin had shoulder surgery and hasn't competed since last year. He'll play in April. The tour isn't the same without Eagle 🦅😔 Thankfully he's young and with the right treatment and care. He'll be back to shooting 1100 rated rounds soon enough 🙏

In case you missed it:

  • Rota Disc Golf (which helps you find hard to find discs) has a cool Youtube channel showing great lines by the pros. Gannon shows his savviness at only 16 with this shot

    • Watch the complete shot 😮

  • Ever wondered what's the most common discs lost, speed, color?

    • This reddit thread is very entertaining to read. He discusses how he finds discs, which ones are most often lost (Yes, it's destroyers 😂). Read it yourself

  • The Nick and Matt Show had Waco winners Paul McBeth and Valerie Mandujano on their show recently 🏆

  • One of the best dressed (and all around skilled) players on tour, Joel Freeman joined the Upshot for an interview. Hit the road and listen to it here.

  • Check out this practice round with Brodie Smith and Ezra Aderhold

    • Which previews this weekends course at Tyler, Texas

  • We've written about it before. But these form shadows by WolfKat Discs are so dope 🌚

Plastic plastic and Merch 🥏🥏🎒

Didn't get your hands on Discmania's new FD? Fear not as the website still has plenty up for grabs

  • Wanna try the Binx from Elevation? You can purchase one here

  • The running joke is Innova just copies Discmania. But I mean they are the creators at the end of the day 🤷 with that said. Want the OG MD3? You can purchase Innova's Metal Warrior here. Let us know which is better

Speaking of Discmania. Simon Lizotte is dropping a special collaboration with Grip-EQ. The first run sold out quickly but more will be dropping in another week or two. 

Preview for Texas States Championships ⌛

Ricky Wysocki. Photo: PDGA

MPO

Last year Ricky Wyoscki turned up during the Texas swing. After Waco he would go on to win Belton and tie the course record at Texas States Championships.

He tied for 2nd this past weekend with Paul McBeth. Both falling short to Chris Dickerson. Who played excellent golf and was able to hang on to his commanding lead on Sunday. Despite the charge from others.

All signs point towards Ricky this weekend. It's hard not to bet against him. But I'm going with Paul McBeth. We'll see if I'm right or wrong 🙃

The Albatross Predictions:

  1. Paul McBeth

  2. Ricky Wyscoki

  3. Chris Clemons

Contenders: Chris Dickerson, Gannon Buhr and Mr. Roll tide himself, Matty-O.

Ricky has never lost at Texas States. He should be the favorite. I might be here next week saying; "yeah, I'm a fool. I should've taken Ricky."

But streaks end. And I think Paul is on a mission this season (hence, the hot start). So I'm taking Paul against Ricky in one of the best battles we'll see this year. 🍿

Other players I think make a run at it? Robot Chicken, always a safe pick. Gannon will likely bounce back this week and guess who is returning to tour this week? Matty-O. He just won a local event this week by dominating. Footage will be up soon thanks to Terry Miller. Mr. The Disc Golf Guy. Are you surprised Clemons is on my picks this weekend? Don't be. He's one of the most accurate on tour and has been playing strong. I expect he'll be one of the top players this weekend. 🎯 

FPO

Hailey King was able to take it down last year. She hasn't played since Las Vegas Challenge (where she took 4th). I expect her to be one of the favorite this weekend as she returns to tour. 

Hailey King at the 2021 Texas State Championship. Photo: DGPT

But it'll be a tough one as the top of the field on FPO is stacked well. Paige, Kristin, Cat, Valerie and herself to name a few. 

The Albatross Predictions:

  1. Catrina Allen

  2. Hailey King

  3. Valerie Mandujano

Contenders: Paige Pierce and Kristin Tattar

Catrina has been playing amazing golf to start the season. I don't see her slowing down. I think she'll carry the momentum from last weekends event into this one. I expect her to barely beat out the podium contenders (may we see a playoff?). Hailey and Valerie will be battling it out. And you can't forget about Kristin. Which will be her final event until she returns in Mid - April. 

Who do y'all got taking it down? 

Where to watch? 

You can tune into the event starting Friday. Feature cards will be live via Disc Golf Network. With post production from the usual players, Jomez, GK Pro and Gatekeeper Media. 

Also don't forget to make your fantasy picks on skipace!

What's cooking next week? 🍳

  • Recap of 'Texas States' Championships

  • All the content and links to save you time

  • Preview of the next Silver Series Event

Drumroll pls... 🥁🥁🥁

This weeks winner is Jackie (who has been emailed)! Congrats on the Discmania Rockstar 👩‍🎤

Be sure to share The Albatross Disc Golf Newsletter. Stay tuned for more disc giveaways. Next week is the final giveaway for March. But we got more stuff brewing for next Month!

Until next week, 

-Arod @ The Albatross

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