This Week in Disc Golf has it all: Discraft issues a statement after the Labor Day fallout, Paul McBeth and Paige Pierce pop off on a familiar track, a handful of A-tier finishes, and—well—not too much more. But we’re still bringing the heat.
I’m Swiss Cheese, the guy with all the holes in his game, and one half of The Disc Golf World—your favorite disc golf YouTube channel that might be better known for its clicky titles than the fact we once lived out of a minivan to follow the pro tour. Yeah, we’re still here, delivering the hardest-hitting (and fastest-talking) professional disc golf coverage on the airwaves.
Discraft’s Labor Day Apology: AI Fallout & Fan Backlash
The biggest story this week? Discraft’s AI stamp controversy. The brand dropped a Rosie Riveter design with—you guessed it—six fingers. And no, this wasn’t pareidolia or a Ghetto Boyz illusion. This was an actual mistake, and the disc golf community wasn’t playing tricks on themselves.
The problem? Timing. Dropped on a holiday weekend, in a quiet bye week, right before one of Discraft’s biggest tour stops. Add in the rising debate around AI in disc golf and you’ve got a perfect viral storm.
Discraft CEO Bob Julio stepped in with a five-minute video statement. From the top of a picnic table, no less. And while it was shaky, wizard references and all, it was a rare case of a major manufacturer addressing backlash head-on. Bob recommitted Discraft to quality control and denied any cost-cutting motives behind the design.
“We’re committed to our artists, our players, and our fans. And we’ll learn from this,” — Bob Julio, Discraft CEO
Critics still called it defensive and lacking a clear admission about AI. But the statement does hold Discraft accountable for the future—and with the company’s long history of investing in the sport, many believe they’ll bounce back stronger.
Paul McBeth & Paige Pierce Pop Off at DGLO
While the internet debated AI, Paul McBeth and Paige Pierce let their discs do the talking at DGLO.
Paul McBeth: Vintage McDaddy Mode
Paul McBeth reminded everyone why the course practically has his name on it. He went 18 under par, finished clean, and now sits two strokes ahead of Calvin Heimburg. A back-to-back win could signal McBeth’s true return, making this one of the most exciting closes to a season in recent memory.
Paige Pierce: Birdies, Eagles, and Fire
Paige Pierce opened strong—birdie on hole 1, eagle on 17, and a nine-under hot round tied with Holyn Handley. Despite a double bogey, Paige leads the field and has gained serious strokes putting. If she keeps her C2 magic alive, we might be in for an all-time battle with Holyn.
Quick Hitters: A-Tier Results & Tour Notes
- Finland’s Eetu Tuominen wins both the European and Finnish Junior Championships by nine strokes. Lilja Pohjonen takes FPO by six.
- Reykjavik Open: Elias Luukkonen holds off Rolland Kour, while Maria Eldey Kristinardottir cruises in FPO.
- West Virginia Open: Casey White and Leah Tsinaginie snag wins.
- Washington State Championship: Dallas Garber stays hot with his fourth straight A-tier win. Allison Mabbut wins FPO.
- Väinö Mäkelä steps away from the tour for personal reasons. Wishing him the best and hopefully a quick return.
Pro Player Life Updates
With a rare off week, the pros got creative:
- Simon threw darts, Lucky hit the water (third trimester jet-ski celebration, anyone?).
- Ben Callaway and Linus Carlson played ball golf.
- Pros squeezed in fantasy football drafts and Hamilton watch parties.
- Ricky and Vinny caught a Tigers game at Comerica.
- The Oakleys celebrated their 7-year anniversary. Congrats!
- Plenty of birthdays: Ian Burchett, Discraft’s Jeff Korns, and even the Ulibarri’s daughter Reyna—future CEO in the making?
Final Thoughts: Discraft’s Future & the AI Debate
The Discraft AI fallout isn’t just about a six-fingered Rosie. It’s about how disc golf, as a sport, handles AI artwork, fan backlash, and accountability. Discraft’s response was imperfect, but it sets a standard. Whether they turn this moment into leadership will depend on their next moves.
Meanwhile, Paul McBeth and Paige Pierce are still proving why they’re legends. And across the A-tier scene, rising stars like Dallas Garber and Eetu Tuominen remind us the future of disc golf is bright.
That’s all for This Week in Disc Golf. If you enjoyed this breakdown, make sure to subscribe to The Disc Golf World on YouTube for weekly updates, recaps, and news straight from the pro tour. Smash that like button, drop a comment, and we’ll see you next week.
