What’s up, degenerates! It’s The Disc Golf World—I’m Jefferson, and alongside me as always is the one with all the holes in his game, Swiss Cheese. We’re breaking down everything you need to know from the Cascade Challenge.
This was the first year it was officially on the Pro Tour, though we’ve seen the wooded track before. But with all the work put into it, the debut of Shelton Springs did not disappoint… well, for most people. Of course, there were a few people on social media complaining about how “boring” it was. With incredibly dumb reasoning. Like—seriously—someone told me Las Vegas Challenge is a better watch. Sure, buddy. How’s that coverage going for you?
To be fair, no matter where we go, there will always be disc golfers complaining on Facebook threads. Or, if they want to get truly nasty, Reddit. That’s in our blood. But one valid critique—one I share—is that heavily wooded courses make it hard for cameramen to track the disc. I’m not trying to play Where’s Waldo when my favorite player hits a two-foot gap in crunch time. Sadly, cameras will never do it justice. Nothing to do there but gripe about it.
Drew Gibson’s Thoughts
Drew Gibson had his own take—he said you shouldn’t have to throw it this perfectly and far to make birdie. Drop your thoughts in the comments. What do you think of Drew’s opinion? And Shelton Springs overall? A lot of fans didn’t like it at first, but it grew on them. Once this course gets more exposure and definition over the years, I think it’ll find a place in disc golfers’ hearts.
The Spotter Controversy: Paul McBeth and the Mando Call
Ever think about spotting? This week a Reddit post might change your mind. A fan shared their experience spotting at the Cascade Challenge. Worth reading the whole thing, but let’s focus on the highlight: being confronted by Paul McBeth after making the call that Paul’s drive missed the Mando.
Context: the spotter said he was four feet away from the Mando. Players are hundreds of feet away. But guess what? The guy with the front-row view is always questioned. Paul asked if he was “100% sure.” Not really a situation I’d want to be in!
Funny enough, this also came up in Gannon Buhr’s vlog. Hole seven—this is where the controversy starts. No one knows for sure if it made or missed the Mando. Even Gannon said “apparently the guy said I missed.”
Honestly, I don’t blame players for making sure the call is correct. It’s competition. Every stroke matters. And Paul is… well, Paul. Many commenters said it wasn’t negative—just a pro doing his due diligence. Others said they’ve seen the same with players questioning spotters in person. I’ve seen it myself.
This is the real issue: spotters don’t just call in/out. Sometimes they have to mark where a disc crossed OB. And pros often don’t agree. Result? The disc sometimes gets moved to a “better” location. A volunteer isn’t going to argue with a whole card. Happens enough that I’ve heard plenty of stories. Solution? Officials. But do we want to do another week of *that* debate? Nope. Not today.
Ian Anderson “Fired”? (Not Really)
Let’s talk Ian Anderson. Did he get fired after roasting the Birdie Disc Golf board game? Or so I thought. During coverage, after an ad read, he joked that he didn’t think people still played board games. I genuinely thought he was in trouble. Turns out Ian clarified in the comments—it was part of the ad. They got me. If that was Steve Dodge’s marketing plan? Chef’s kiss. Didn’t convince me to play, but credit for the move.
Quick Broadcasting Sidebar
Speaking of Ian: a fan asked what’s happening when he throws to Nate Perkins and there’s silence. My guess? Nate’s putting his jacket on and off repeatedly. Brian Earhart gave the real answer: it’s usually a signal issue. He also gave background about their operation. They have a producer in their ear at all times, and they map out coverage zones for minimal issues. And honestly? That’s exactly what we got this weekend—paired with some damn intense disc golf.
FPO Recap: Missy Gannon’s Record-Setting Finale
Swiss, hit the lovely subscribers with the FPO recap! (And if you’re not subscribed, do it now so you can officially be a degenerate.)
FPO may not have had a six-way battle to the wire like MPO, but fans witnessed a dominant performance and a heater of a final round that even the “where are the Europeans?” crowd couldn’t shut up about.
Only thing more disappointing? The trophy downgrade—from The Shining axe to The Hatchet. But honestly, after Cat was waving it over her shoulder last year, can you blame them?
First year as an Elite Series event. Cascade Challenge. Shelton Springs. Demanding layout. Narrow fairways. Guardian-imposed shot shaping. Low scores. You had to score early on the front and survive the back. Day one proved it: Rebecca Cox’s -3 held up all day, despite her being on the opening card.
Rebecca is known for her power, but really showed her woods game. Even with shaky putting, she stayed in the fairway and limited damage to just two bogeys. Close behind? Paige Pierce, one stroke back, fresh off her first podium of the year at Champions Cup, using six birdies (four on the front nine) to make lead card. Five others sat at -1.
Day Two Drama
Rebecca started hot—four straight birdies—but went +5 on the back after a triple on 12 (three-putting inside the circle). Think Mexican Navy levels of medal hits. Paige tied the course record at -3 to sit with Rebecca at -3 total and a two-stroke lead over Missy Gannon. Paige even called Missy her biggest threat in the post-round interview. Underrated honesty there!
Final Round: Missy’s Masterclass
Going into Sunday? Not a single FPO player had shot a 1000-rated round or gone bogey-free. Missy said “hold my disc.” She not only did both but obliterated the course record by seven strokes. Final round: 10-under, 1035-rated, unofficially. That single round beat second place finishers Ohn Scoggins and Paige Pierce’s *entire three-round total* by seven strokes. Total domination for back-to-back wins.
Of course, this all reignites the conversation about missing European pros and how the schedule hits FPO harder than MPO. Field strength, points totals, even last year’s Player of the Year race—yep, it’s a thing. And if that annoys you as much as it does us? Welcome to the club. Looks like the same trajectory this year.
MPO Recap: AB, Simon, and Bella Battle
Ezra Aderhold’s practice rounds finally paid off. Day one? He led with a -7 despite a double bogey. Gavin Phillips (yes, the hair) went six down on the front, even on the back to sit tied in second with Anthony Barela. AB would then lead after round two with a -5 (11 down total), while Ezra battled through a rollercoaster nine birdies and five bogeys to finish -4. Crush Boys reunion? Kinda. Eagle McMahon jumped into third with a 5-under round. Simon Lizotte? Also on lead card.
Championship Sunday Showdown
Isaac Robinson made early noise—three straight birdies to share the lead. But AB caught fire, birding the first five holes inside C1. His first trouble? Hole seven. Missed Mando. Forced layup. Bogey. He bounced back immediately with a 20-foot birdie, but then hit first available on one of the easiest holes next. Pitched out, then barely kept a forehand in bounds for a long hazard putt that missed—double bogey. Only -3 on the front after such a great start.
Meanwhile Simon was putting on a clinic. Or… being Simon. He slammed a 100-footer on hole 4. Birdied 5. Birdied 9. On 10 he floated it inside the circle for birdie. AB barely made the island but held on, dropping only one stroke. Backups built the drama (seriously, I could hear Brodie yelling “pace of play” from my living room).
Score check: Ricky Wysocki snuck into the lead, part of a 14-under pileup. On hole 11 Simon piped a drive. AB went aggressive anhyzer around the Mando, squeaking it past. Next season that Mando is moving, I bet. They both birdied it. On 12, the wooded par 5, they played textbook, but Simon missed his circle-edge putt while AB parked it. Barela retook the lead and never let go, closing out with four birdies in C1 to win his first event of the year.
Simon finished second, his nine-down tying the course record. Wysocki rounded out the podium with an 8-under final round.
