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2023 Professional Worlds Invite Letter

2023 Professional Worlds Invite Letter

Last updated: Monday, March 27, 2023 - 17:53

Dear PDGA Competitor,

You are receiving this letter because it is my privilege to inform you that you have qualified to register for the 2023 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships at Smugglers’ Notch. Resort, Vermont, USA. Smugglers’ Notch Resort, the PDGA, the Disc Golf Pro Tour, and the State of Vermont are excited to welcome you to Vermont for the competition, which will be held the week of August 26th to September 3rd, 2023. Please note that while you have been invited to register, registration will take place in tiers based on player rating. This tiered system, along with the registration schedule is included in this invitation package.

AREA ATTRACTIONS & INFORMATION

As hosts, we are thrilled to welcome you to Vermont and our corner of the state at Smugglers’ Notch Resort. The resort is situated at the base of the Sterling Mountain Range, a portion of the Green Mountain spine that runs up the center of the state from Massachusetts to Canada. The Sterling Range drops off precipitously into a natural feature called “Smugglers’ Notch” before rising even more dramatically to the highest point of the highest peak in the state, Mt. Mansfield. The notch was dubbed “Smugglers’” due to its history of goods and alcohol being smuggled through the notch, much of which was hidden in caves found in its rocky outcroppings.

For those invitees who register and/or attend the World Championships, we hope that you take advantage of the numerous recreational and cultural opportunities afforded to you in the area! The resort is situated in the town of Cambridge, Vermont, which surrounds the village of Jeffersonville. The town of Stowe, a tourism beacon for the state, lies just 15 minutes to the south of the Resort. Both towns offer great local farm-to- table dining, craft beer, cider, and spirits, and many other recreational opportunities such as biking, hiking, zip-lining, tree-top obstacle courses, farmer’s markets, ball golf, swimming, waterfalls, and much more! The towns of Waterbury, Essex, and Morrisville are all also within a 30-minute drive and feature tourist attractions as well. All could be good secondary options for those players and spectators who are looking for lodging outside of Smugglers’.

DISC GOLF INFORMATION

Of course, the main draw for disc golfers to the area, and the reason you are attending, is the Smugglers’ Notch Disc Golf Center. Built, owned, and operated by Smugglers’ Notch Resort, the Disc Golf Center is happy to announce that several course upgrades have either been made, or are underway in preparation for this year’s World Championship. In addition to several new tees and some lengthening on several holes on Brewster Ridge, Fox Run Meadows will have all new turf for its tee pads, one year after new tees were installed on Brewster in 2022.

The Disc Golf Center allows Smugglers’ to provide a unique experience for competitors at the PDGA Pro Worlds; no travel. Indeed, both courses being used are on resort property and start within 300 feet of each other. This, however, does not mean that they will present similar challenges.

Course and event schedule »

Maps »

Brewster Ridge, established in 2012, is primarily wooded and stretches nearly 9,000 feet through the forests and foothills of the Sterling Mountain range. Beautiful wooded lanes, several with options on how best to attack, and interesting greens characterize this course which is currently ranked at the #4 course in the World by UDisc.   

Fox Run Meadows will crest 10,000 feet of challenge for the MPO field this year, and sit around 9,000 feet for the FPO field. Fox Run includes a large swath of land running out and around Smugglers’ Bootlegger’s Basin. The course is characterized by its length and need for placement, and control all the way until the disc has come to rest. With many holes lined with out-of-bounds, players need to play cautiously aggressive to score well on this track. It is currently ranked as the #7 course in the world by UDisc.

I’m proud to serve as a course designer for both courses, and want to recognize Steve Brinster for helping lead the design on Fox Run Meadows, as well as his contributions over the years on Brewster Ridge. We’re proud to deliver two of the highest rated courses in the World to allow players to test their skills on.

RESORT LODGING INFORMATION

In addition to our Disc Golf Center, Smugglers’ Notch Resort itself boasts over 3,000 guest beds. Arranged in several types and sizes of condo units, and with discounted rates and inclusions for competitors, most players choose to stay on site in order to get the most out of their stay as well as to make the most of the on- site amenities. Those who lodge at the resort will receive the following list of benefits:

  • Free shuttle service around the resort, including to the disc golf center. Park your car and forget about it!
  • Discounted entry into Fiddlehead’s FallFest, which features:
    • 2 Nights of Live Music
    • Craft Beer & Cider
    • Local Food Trucks & Art Vendors
  • Unlimited use of our water facilities including 8 heated pools, 4 waterslides and 2 hot tubs
  • Unlimited use of the Ozone at FunZone 2.0 and access to the entire facility which features pay-to-play activities including a large arcade, laser tag, a ninja warrior course, a large climbing wall, amongother activities!
  • Guided walks & hikes
  • Nightly entertainment in our bars & restaurants
  • Village Amenities such as entry into facilities like “Teen Ally” and unlimited use of Basketball,
  • Shuffleboard, Tennis, Volleyball Courts, Mini Golf and Resort Disc Golf Courses.

If you plan on lodging with us at the Resort, please don’t wait to book your stay! We do anticipate that we will fill for this event, with many spectators, volunteers, and player’s friends & family members planning on being in attendance. We have set aside a player’s room block, but that will expire on July 1, and some types and sizes of units could fill before then. To access the special rates for players please email our lodging director Ben Childs. Be sure to mention this special player offer!

Lodging rates vary based on the size of the unit, the length of stay, and the amount of people in your party. Generally, the player rates range from $50/person/night (long stay in a larger unit with many people), to $100/person/night (shorter stay for two people in a studio) however if you are not taking advantage of maximizing the space, rates can be higher. If you decide to investigate alternative lodging, there are plenty of options in both Jeffersonville and Stowe and the surrounding area. Feel free to contact our team for more information and consult the attached area maps for a better sense of where the surrounding towns are in relation to Smugglers’.

TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS

For those competitors traveling via plane, the closest airport is the Burlington International Airport (BTV). Only 45 minutes away from Smugglers’, Burlington International is fairly small and known to be an easy airport to fly in and out of. For those searching for the lowest fares, Montreal, Quebec (1.5 hrs.), Manchester, NH (2.5 hrs.), and Boston, MA (4 hrs.) are also hubs in the general New England area. For those competitors who chose to fly, please indicate your interest in shuttle service to and from the airport on the registration form, as the resort may be able to organize a few pick-up times from Burlington International Airport. This would eliminate the need for a rental vehicle since, once you are on site, there is no need for a vehicle with the centralized Smuggs Village and shuttle service to the Disc Golf Center.

CHARITABLE CAUSE – Special Olympics of Vermont

Every winter Smugglers’ Notch Resort sends an adaptive ski & snowboard team to the Vermont Special Olympics. The team competes with dozens of other ski & ride teams. The winter isn’t the only time that the Special Olympics runs events! They fundraise year-round in order to provide recreational opportunities and events for people with intellectual disabilities. We are continuing our tradition of assisting with their fundraising efforts by naming the Special Olympics of Vermont as our charitable cause for the 2023 Pro Worlds! Please consider giving anything you can during registration, or during our fundraising campaigns for the event.

Special Olympics Vermont was incorporated in February 1971 as a Vermont non-profit corporation [501(c)(3)] and is accredited every two years by Special Olympics, Inc. Special Olympics Vermont is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy, and benefit from participation in individual and team sports.

Special Olympics Vermont believes that consistent training is essential to the development of sports skills, measuring progress, and providing incentive for a person’s growth. Special Olympics Vermont contributes to the physical, social, and psychological development of people with intellectual disabilities. Through successful experiences in sports, our athletes gain confidence and build positive self-images, which follow them into their homes, classrooms, jobs, and communities.

SPONSORSHIP & VENDING OPPORTUNITIES

The PDGA Pro World Championships is the most anticipated and prestigious event of the disc golf year. This translates to a large and diverse media production and more views and engagement in produced content from fans of the game. For those interested in partnering with the event to increase their brand’s exposure, or for those who are interested in simply providing support for the event, we have a partnership program set up for your consideration. For more information and to view the Sponsorship Program, please email Sean Jack at [email protected].

Throughout the week there are three player opportunities to vend on site! You can register for these at discounted rates when you register on the Disc Golf Scene. We have limited space, so if you intend to vend, please register as soon as possible. Thursday night is the Official PW Flymart held from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM at the Smugglers’ Notch Disc Golf Center. There is also vending at Fiddlehead’s FallFest, our two-night music festival. Once you register, we will follow up with more details about vending set up and expectations!

A NOTE ON REGISTRATION

As noted previously, registration will be conducted in tiers, with the highest rated invitees able to register in tier 1, and so on until the event is filled. There will be 200 spots available for the MPO division, and 100 spots available for the FPO division. Please review the information included in this invitation closely to ensure that you understand all the parts and pieces including the area maps, the registration schedule, and the course schedule. Once competitors have successfully registered for the event, we will provide a final package of information confirming all event details!

Disc Golf Scene Registration »

In closing, on behalf of Smugglers’ Notch Resort, the local organizing committee and the PDGA, we are honored to host you for the 2023 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships! Again, congratulations on your invitation, and good luck during registration! We hope to see you in the Green Mountain State come late August.

Best Regards,

Jeff Spring Tournament Director