Dear PDGA Competitor,

Well done! You’ve been invited to register for the 2023 PDGA Masters Disc Golf World Championships! It took a lot of work to play enough tournaments and score enough points and here’s the payoff! Tournament dates are July 8-15, 2023, and we look forward to seeing you on our beautiful mountain courses in Flagstaff, Arizona. Flagstaff hosted the 2003 Pro Worlds and the 2005 Am Worlds and we are totally jazzed to bring the worlds back to town!

Invitees are subject to all eligibility requirements per Competition Manual 1.01, and nothing in this invitation shall be construed to create a right of the recipient to participate in this event.

Host

The Flagstaff Disc Golf Club (FDGC), numerous neighboring clubs, and the city of Flagstaff are pleased to host this event. FDGC is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization of professional, amateur, and recreational disc golfers in Flagstaff and northern Arizona. We are dedicated to growing the sport of disc golf in northern Arizona by providing opportunities for anybody and everybody who wants to play and be involved. We pride ourselves in reaching out to underserved communities and feel this is the best way to make the disc golf community representative of the broader population. Bill Block is tournament director and Steve Snowflake Johnston is assistant tournament director.

Elevation

Courses

We plan to use 7 courses in Flagstaff with a little help from mother nature; use of Snowbowl is tentative based on how quickly the 10-foot snow base melts. Flagstaff has experienced record snowfall this year and we are chomping at the bit to get on the courses and make final preparations. Six of our courses are within a 5-mile radius of Tournament Central and our host hotel, Little America, and Snowbowl is furthest away, about a 16-mile drive.

Little America features two 18-hole courses which are being constructed on site. Both courses will have new Innova targets and turf tee pads. Both courses will be used for the final 9.

Little America Long (LAL) is located on Little America property. Par is 63 and length about 9,000 feet. This course features both forested and open holes, Flagstaff’s first and only water hole, and a finishing 1,100’ hole.

Little America Crew Course (LACC) is also located on Little America property. You’ll need a strong skill set to tackle this course as it includes tight tunnel shots, elevation changes, and a wide open 644’ finishing hole with the San Francisco Peaks providing a spectacular backdrop.

Thorpe Park represents the history of disc golf in Flagstaff. It was the first course with permanent baskets in Flagstaff established circa 1995. Thorpe was one of the venues used for both the 2003 and 2005 Worlds, so it’s an experienced course and anxious to challenge competitors once again. Plans are to upgrade baskets on the course and replace the Mach 5s with Discatchers. The course will play as a par 57 and about 7,800 feet in length. Signature hole 13 is a fun and challenging downhill bomber shot playing as a 450’ par 3. Stay on the fairway because the rough is rough!

McPherson Park was installed shortly after the 2005 Am Worlds and is long regarded as one of the top courses in Flagstaff. Coming in just over 6000’ and par 60, the course features many reachable par 3s, and a mix of tight holes requiring shot shaping as well as some longer open holes so you can air it out. Enjoy picturesque views of the San Francisco Peaks as you tee off on hole 10.

Northern Arizona University (NAU) is located on the southwest part of the university. Earlier versions of the course served as the venue for the 2003 and 2005 Worlds, but the current course is completely different. Designed by Chris Barley Kirby, Jason Allind, and Mike Downes, this course will play as a 5,500’ par 58 test of your shot-shaping skills. Tight fairways and elevational changes will challenge even the best players in the field.

Fort Tuthill DGC is located on Fort Tuthill County Park. Currently ranked as the top course in Arizona on UDisc, Fort Tuthill offer a great variety of holes ranging from short technical holes to a 696’ finishing hole. The course should play as a par 56 and 6,200’. Strategically placed OB will narrow many fairways perhaps favoring accuracy over distance. For competitors who plan on camping, check out the campground at Fort Tuthill which is just a short stroll to the course.

Snowbowl DGC is on the San Francisco Peaks on the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort. It’s the  highest in elevation of the courses, ranging from 9,500’ to 10,500’ asl. Old timers say that you can see San Francisco from the top of Mount Humphries, but you’ll need to make the hike to check it out yourself. The course has changed over the years to accommodate multiple uses on the mountain, so the current course retains just a few holes from the 2003 and 2005 Worlds courses. Par is yet to be determined with the length ranging from 6000’-7000’. The course with a mix of tightly wooded holes and long open bombers. Bring your hiking shoes!

Accommodations

Little America Hotel is our host hotel. Tournament registration, players’ party, collectors conference, and fly mart will all occur at Little America. In addition, 2 of the tourney courses are at Little America which will also be used for doubles competition and the Final 9. We have a block of rooms at Little America and if you want to be in the thick of things, we still have rooms available.

Hotels

Reserve your room at our host hotel Little America

We are negotiating room blocks with several other hotels and will post those links on the website as soon as finalized. If you do not want to stay at Little America, there are some other lodging options in the area.

Camping

Camping is readily available in Flagstaff. For you hardy folks, there is free dispersed camping on the Coconino National Forest as well as established campgrounds charging nightly fees. More information on camping on the forest.

Another camping option can be found at Fort Tuthill which is just a short walk to the course.

Or if you’re staying in your RV, and want to be close to tournament central, then check out Black Barts RV Park which is just across the street from Little America.

Travel

Those flying to Flagstaff will have a few options:

Airport Update: 3/23/23

The airport runway is scheduled to be closed at Flagstaff Airport from midnight July 9 through midnight July 15, for pavement maintenance. Commercial passenger service and fixed-wing aircraft operations will be unavailable during the closure, though helicopter operations will continue.

More information about the runway project

Directly to Flagstaff Airport, just about 6 miles from the host hotel.
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is about 140 miles south of Flagstaff.
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is about 250 miles NW of Flagstaff

Amtrack and Greyhound both have terminals in Flagstaff if you prefer to take the train or bus. For those driving, we are at the intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40.

Website

Tournament Website

We will work with PDGA to update the website with all you need to know about Flagstaff and the tournament, including maps, directions, schedules, course information, community events, and all you need to know to make the tournament and your visit to Flagstaff an enjoyable and memorable one. You can also follow progress and events, share information, or ask questions on the PDGA Masters Worlds Facebook Page.

Registration Schedule

Tournament Registration is handled by the PDGA. Please contact PDGA Event Support with any questions or concerns with registration. Below are links to both the pro and am registration schedules.

• Registration schedule for pro divisions
• Registration schedule for amateur divisions

Spectators

Spectators will need to purchase a spectator pass for any round at Little America. All players can spectate for free, using their player badge as their spectator pass. Players will be able to purchase spectator passes during registration for $10 each. We will also set up a separate page where spectators can purchase passes on their own. All other courses are free to spectate.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, 8 July

Divisional Doubles

It all starts with divisional doubles which will be held at the courses at Little America. Want a chance to see how your discs fly at 7,000’ in elevation before singles start, find yourself another competitor and enter doubles. You’ll both need to sign-up for doubles when you register for the tournament or update your registration before registration closes. There will be no walk-up registrations accepted. Spots will be limited, and we will pool divisions if there are less than 3 teams signed up in a division.

Sunday, 9 July

Twin Arrows Casino Resort Field Events

Hosted by Twin Arrows Casino Resort, Field Events which will occur at Fort Tuthill County Park. Times for Field Events will be from 10:00-13:00. You’ll need to sign up for each individual events you wish to participate in during registration. There will be no walk-up registrations accepted. Options for field events include long-drive, putting, and Skillshot.

Player Check-in

Player Check-in will be at the host hotel -Little America- from 09:00-17:00. You need to be present to sign a waiver and pick-up your players’ pack.

Monday, 10 July

Player Check-in

Player Check-in will be at the host hotel, Little America, from 09:00-17:00. You need to be present to sign a waiver and pick-up your players’ pack.

Peace Surplus Players’ Meeting

Hosted by Peace Surplus, a MANDATORY players’ meeting will be at the host hotel. Little America, from 19:00-20:30. Any important last-minute changes and clarifications will be shared at the meeting so it’s important that you attend.

Tuesday, 11 July

Singles Play Starts!

Innova Discs Players Party/Banquet

Innova Discs proudly hosts the player’s banquet and party. Want to digest your first day of competition and share your shots with your friends? Attend the players’ party! Plan on good food and drink, local music and dancing, and an all-around good time. Cost is $30 per player/guest. You can sign up with your registration or at check-in if spots are still available. Space will be limited. We will have a separate registration page on DiscGolfScene for the banquet and publish the link to that page soon.

Wednesday, 12 July

Day 2 of Singles Competition

Kahtoola Fly Mart

Kahtoola is hosting the fly mart. Starts at 10:00 and continues all day. Looking for new discs or disc golf swag? Need something a bit less beefy to throw after finding out that your 13 speed discs are bit too much at elevation? You might find it here. Note that some vendors will be selling all week so if you find out early on that you’re missing an important piece of gear, they might have it. In addition, we are working with the local artist community to also have some beautiful local art displayed and for sale. Lots of talented artists in the Flagstaff community and a chance to purchase a memorable keepsake.

Thursday, 13 July

Day 3 of Singles Competition

Flying Disc Museum Collectors Conference

Mike Hughes of the Flying Disc Museum will be hosting a conference on disc golf collecting. Are you like many and keep growing your disc collection? Wondering how best to store and preserve your old, collectable discs? Want to share your experiences with collecting, buying, and selling? Where is it headed and how do we conserve the collector? This is the place to be. Perhaps the first conference of its like and a source of valuable information for those who are addicted to hoarding vast numbers of collectable disc golf discs.

Friday, 14 July

Day 4 of Singles Competition

Flagstaff Pub Crawl

You just finished your 4th day of competition and ready to celebrate or commiserate? Join us on a pub crawl to taste some of the finest craft beers in the country. After tasting some of these delightful brews, you might want to snag a six pack or 2.

Saturday, 15 July

Morning semi-finals at multiple courses for those who made the cut.

Afternoon finals to be held at the Little America Courses

Awards ceremonies immediately following completion of each division.

Sponsorship

An event such as this requires quite a bit of resources to make it a fun and enjoyable experience for all involved. Any support you can provide will be put to good use and let us make the tournament bigger and better. We have plenty of sponsorship opportunities, so please contact us at [email protected] if you can contribute.

In closing, we’re excited to have you come to Flagstaff and experience our disc golf community and city. We’re looking forward to it and plan on elevating disc golf to new heights!

Sincerely

Bill Block, TD and Steve Snowflake Johnston, ATD