Welcome back, Disgenerates! I’m the one with all the holes in his game—Swiss Cheese—and most importantly, I’m just one half of The Disc Golf World. You know, that notorious disc golf YouTube channel that’s not afraid to say “dick” when the rest won’t. We bring you fast, knowledgeable, and action-filled disc golf content with a sprinkle of our own questionable humor. You’re watching This Week in Disc Golf, where we cover all things plastic from the past week. So let’s get into it.
PDGA Board Elections: Time to Actually Care About That Email
Since the election emails are about as ignored as the PDGA’s rules update PDF, let’s shine a light on the upcoming PDGA Global Board of Directors election. There are two at-large seats open, and five candidates you’ll pretend to read about before blindly voting. But hey—we’ll actually help you know them this time.
Why do this? Because this sport needs more engagement, faster communication, and fewer excuses. Even as a guy without a PDGA membership, I figure it’s our responsibility as content creators to talk about this stuff. Even if the PDGA itself still seems to think “communication” is yelling at a wall with a megaphone while everyone else has noise-canceling headphones.
Why the PDGA Needs to Up Its Election Game
Look, the PDGA put out their “Get to Know the Candidates” page and partnered with Terry Miller (The Disc Golf Guy) for candidate interviews on YouTube. And Terry did an excellent job. He’s the guy you want for impartial, clear questions. But it can’t be the only approach.
The PDGA is stuck in its traditional ways, which limits reach and engagement. Members don’t vote because they don’t know the issues, don’t know the candidates, or honestly, just don’t give a damn. Changing that means meeting them where they are: podcasts, YouTube, social, wherever. The PDGA could even just let other channels ask a single question. Crazy, I know.
Meet the Candidates
Dustin Shriber (PDGA #211079)
Discovered the game in 2020, which makes him the new kid on the block. But don’t hold that against him—he’s been active in the St. Louis scene and takes a data-driven approach. Running on a platform of accessibility and sustainability: growing the membership base, supporting TDs, improving course development, and expanding disc golf education programs.
“I canvassed a number of people to better understand the topics they were concerned about. I asked almost all of them: where do you feel the PDGA is spending money they shouldn’t? Every single one of them said they didn’t know.”
Matt Rothstein (PDGA #51515)
Former PDGA media manager who’s already caused a bit of a stir with his Member Bill of Rights platform. Think transparency, accountability, and empowering members. He’s been featured on Reddit debates and even a Grip Locked episode. Whether you think it’s radical or necessary, he’s making waves by pushing for better communication and fairness.
“I’ve seen the PDGA from all sides—as a player, organizer, staffer. I love the organization, but I think it can do better. I’ve got a clear vision of the changes I want to see.”
Laura Nagtegaal (PDGA #44969)
Running for her fifth term. She’s got experience out the wazoo: Euro Tour manager, interim admin, diversity/outreach liaison. Her three-pillar platform: globalization, diversity/equity/inclusion, and further professionalization of the pro side. Not many candidates focus on the pro game—she does.
“Disc golf can be so much more diverse than it is. The third pillar is making the professional level even more professional, because that’s our billboard. If it looks good on ESPN, the entire sport benefits.”
Conrad Damon (PDGA #2450)
Old school credibility. Former board member in the 90s–2000s, Volunteer of the Year in 2005. Left his Rules Committee chair during the COVID boom to rejoin the board. Focused on expanding PDGA tech and a new Club Initiative to empower local groups as the backbone of the sport’s growth.
“We’re really putting resources into club development. Local clubs are crucial for growth and a good platform for addressing longstanding weaknesses.”
Charlie Mead (PDGA #1980)
Hall-of-Famer, former WFDF president, chaired the Disc Golf Committee for nearly a decade. Huge on globalization, and he’s the guy pushing for disc golf’s inclusion in events like The World Games and its growth in China. Wants to double national membership in five years.
“There are 110+ countries in the World Flying Disc Federation—way more than currently play disc golf. We can work with countries that don’t have federations to grow the game.”
Shifting Gears: Actual Disc Golf Action
The DGPT Creator Challenge at Des Moines
Let’s talk about the Creator Challenge at The Discmania Challenge—basically the DGPT’s attempt to mix content creators, pros, and two grand in prize money in a single event. Was it hot? Heavy? Weird? Yes to all.
Heavy favorites Gannon Buhr and J-Milly basically turned it into a Progressive Insurance commercial with their tucked-in polos and crispy white shoes, but they danced all over the competition for an easy dub.
Props to Cinema Club’s Silas Schultz and Broderic for understanding the assignment, looking fresh and selling merch mid-round. This event was fun, unique, and actually… good? Sure, it got mixed reviews, but for the first attempt. I’d call that a win.
Could it have been better? Absolutely. Maybe dial back the chaos a bit, get a real commentator in the booth, and have a better sense of direction. But the attempt deserves credit. It’s the kind of experimentation that can grow disc golf’s audience and create new fans.
Final Thoughts
That’s gonna wrap up this week in disc golf! Massive shoutout to all our Patreon supporters—you keep the lights on and the jokes bad. And if you’re reading this far and haven’t subscribed yet, seriously, what are you doing? Smash that button. Like. Comment. Share. Help us fight the PDGA’s bland election emails one spicy post at a time.
Until next time, keep it in bounds, keep it weird, and don’t forget to vote—even if it’s just to prove you actually read the damn email.
