“Before I completely lose my mind and quit this whole thing, I thought — let’s pivot. Let’s take a step back.”
What’s up, discgenerates? I’m Jefferson, and alongside me as always, the one with all the holes in his game, Swiss Cheese. We’re breaking down a problem in professional disc golf that Simon Lizotte brought to light after the Green Mountain Championships. Don’t worry, we’ll hit the GMC recap too — but first, it’s rant time.
Simon Lizotte Speaks Up on Burnout
Simon opened up about something that most pros never say out loud: the constant grind of touring, and content creation. He admitted to feeling burned out — from travel, from playing, from making videos, and from trying to juggle what feels like four jobs at once. Every autograph, picture, and camera affects him on the course. And while he’s unique in having a massive platform, he’s not alone. Every pro deals with it — some more quietly than others.
Social Media Pressure in Disc Golf
This is where things get real. In today’s disc golf world, sponsorship requires social media activity. A player grinding on Instagram is now as important as performing on the course. Veterans may coast on their reputations, but the next generation is growing up knowing their lives will need to be documented every step of the way. Some love it, some hate it, but it’s the reality of pro disc golf in 2025.
And from a business perspective, it’s not hard to see why. Manufacturers get way more ROI from players pushing plastic on socials than from a logo on Jomez coverage. It’s why disc golf influencers thrive — and why burnout is baked into the system. Simon knows it, Gannon Buhr knows it, and anyone trying to break through without help knows it even more.
Simon’s Pivot Away from Daily Content
Earlier this season, Simon went hard on daily vlogs during tournament weekends. And while fans loved it, the grind nearly broke him. He eventually shifted to round recaps and bonus videos — showing he wasn’t going to post content just for clicks. Quality over quantity. That decision, while disappointing for fans who loved the recaps, shows Simon’s commitment to mental health and sustainability in disc golf media.
Why This Matters for the Future
Simon’s honesty raises the bigger question: should pros really be expected to carry their own media presence on top of competing? Either way, the sport has a gap: manufacturers should be providing dedicated media support for their entire teams — not just leaving players to fend for themselves. Team recaps, brand storytelling, and more coverage would help fans connect without driving pros into burnout.
Green Mountain Championship: FPO Drama
Enough ranting — let’s talk GMC action. The FPO delivered pure chaos. Missy Gannon dominated early, blistering Brewster and building a six-stroke lead. But no lead is safe in FPO. On Championship Sunday, Paige Pierce and Ohn Scoggins stormed back, cutting into Missy’s cushion. By hole 12, it was a three-way battle.
Paige forced a playoff in dramatic fashion — including a wild drive on 18 that skipped off the OB bridge and back into play. The playoff didn’t last long. Missy went OB, Ohn couldn’t convert, and Paige parked her approach to claim her third GMC title and, more importantly, her first Elite Series win of the season. That makes 15 straight years with an Elite Series or higher victory. Legendary stuff.
Green Mountain Championship: MPO Battle
On the MPO side, it was Paul McBeth vs. Cole Redalen in a classic duel, with Gannon Burr charging late. Paul started slow on Sunday, but his veteran poise showed through with big putts and steady play. Cole answered with firepower of his own, drilling a 56-footer to keep his nose in front, but mistakes down the stretch let Paul seize control.
Gannon’s back-nine birdie streak kept things spicy, but McBeth held on for his second win of the season. The question remains: is disc golf better when McBeth is winning, or are you Team “anyone else, please”? Either way, the battle sets the stage for an electric finish to the season.
Closing Thoughts
From Simon Lizotte’s burnout truth bomb to Paige Pierce’s clutch GMC win and McBeth’s steady hand, this weekend had it all. Disc golf isn’t just about scores — it’s about stories, struggles, and the future of how pros connect with fans.
For more coverage, make sure to subscribe to The Disc Golf World on YouTube. We’ll be at USDGC with daily breakdowns, hot takes, and maybe even a rant or two. Don’t miss it.
