Derek Sahr is the 2020 Bob West Memorial Award for Sportsmanship winner.

Derek Sahr has been a pillar of the Minnesota disc golf community for well over a decade.

His impact, both on and off course, has had a profound impact on those around him and with that, Sahr has been voted as the recipient of the 2020 Bob West Memorial Award for Sportsmanship.

The testimonials for Sahr just kept rolling in.

“Derek has shown amazing leadership and dedication in his Disc Golf career and the furthering of the love of this sport for others.”

“Derek Sahr is always nothing but smiles and positivity on the course. His attitude and love for the game are infectious and it’s always an absolute pleasure to see him out on the course. I wouldn’t be the disc golfer I am today had I never met Derek just this past season.”

“His favorite quote is something his dad used to say to him a lot growing up “You’re not allowed to say you had a bad day of disc golf until the day is completely over.” It was Derek that taught me I can have a terrible front 9 and still turn it around and bring it all back on the back 9.”

“Derek has shown amazing leadership and dedication in his Disc Golf career and the furthering of the love of this sport for others. He donated his disc golf basket and a variety of disks to Keystone Treatment Center - a treatment center for substance abuse & alcohol addiction for youths and adults. Derek has volunteered at multiple schools in the Sioux Falls SD area to teach kids Disc Golf. Derek practices his craft frequently and has always shown the highest level of sportsmanship in competitions.”

Sportsmanship is defined as fair and generous behavior or treatment of others, especially in a sports contest. The Bob West Memorial Award is awarded annually to a PDGA member who exemplifies sportsmanship on the disc golf course and during competition, observes the rules of plays and wins or loses with grace. Candidates for the award are nominated by PDGA members.

2020 Players of the Year

MPO: Chris Dickerson

FPO: Catrina Allen

FPO: Paige Pierce

Dickerson, Allen, Pierce Grab Player of the Year Honors »

2020 Rookies of the Year

MPO: Kyle Klein

FPO: Kat Mertsch

Klein, Mertsch Establish Presence in 2020 »

VIEW THE FINAL POY/ROY STANDINGS

Other 2020 PDGA Award Winners Include:

Brent Hambrick Award for Tournament Director of the Year

Jeff Spring

Spring was the driving force behind the Disc Golf Pro Tour in 2020 and the TD on record of the Portland Open, The Preserve Championship, the Green Mountain Championship and the DGPT Championship. The Pro Tour, under Spring, committed to restarting their tour and were a large part in keeping the professionals on the road while promoting the sport in 2020.

Tournament directors are the lifeblood of the association and competitive disc golf. They donate hundreds of hours of their time each year to organize and host sanctioned competitions for all of us to compete in. The Brent Hambrick Award for Tournament Director of the Year recognizes a TD who went above and beyond in fulfilling their responsibilities and in hosting successful event(s). Candidates for the award are nominated by PDGA Staff, based on the quality of the event(s) run, the number of events run, the number of players served, and the overall event(s) experience. Voters are the Elite Pros, the State/Province and Country Coordinators, the PDGA Major and National Tour event tournament directors, and the PDGA Board of Directors and staff.

Volunteer of the Year

Mike Krupicka

Krupicka's work as the PDGA Rules Committee Chair has been absolutely exceptional and would warrant consideration on its own. Then, add all the events (some rather large) he either directs or assists with throughout the year and his contributions are that much more impressive. He has a huge impact to the PDGA that's hard to match outside being on staff or serving on the BOD.

The Volunteer of the Year is determined by the vote of the PDGA Board of Directors. The recipient is an active PDGA member who has proven him or herself worthy of special recognition based upon volunteer work performed for the betterment of the association and the sport of disc golf.

Senior Player of the Year

Andi Young

Young played in nine events in 2020. She is in charge of the Disc Golf Hall of Fame. She ran six tournaments in 2020 and three leagues. She is very active in the disc golf community, and she still does course design.

The Senior Player of the Year is determined by vote of the PDGA Board of Directors. The recipient is an active PDGA member who is 50 years or older and has proven him or herself worthy of recognition based upon stellar play and/or long-term contributions to the sport of disc golf.

EDGE/PDGA Educational Award

Daniel Wood

Coach Daniel Wood, #123679, had played recreational disc golf off and on since 2008 until he crossed paths with the Educational Disc Golf Experience at the National Physical Education Conference in 2018. It was here, that Des and Jay Reading invited Wood to participate in their disc golf session presentation as an active educator involved in the game. Coach Wood's passion for the game grew to another level joining the PDGA right after the conference and playing in a few local events. When his school was awarded an EDGE Grant with assistance of the PDGA, a path toward becoming a disc golf teacher and ambassador became obvious. Not only does Coach Wood teach a three-week disc golf unit each year at his school, Wood has become an active disc golf ambassador through Eagles Wings Disc Golf, Throw Pink and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Wood has joined multiple area disc golf clubs and has been cutting his teeth in directing disc golf events all while running introductory sessions for community groups. Daniel recently picked up his first PDGA sanctioned win and is celebrating fatherhood with his wife, Caroline and son, Harrison. 

This annual award recognizes outstanding contributions in the field of disc golf education. The Educational Disc Golf Experience (EDGE) determines candidates and awardees in partnership with the PDGA. The Educational Disc Golf Experience (EDGE) is a nationally recognized 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to reaching and teaching youth the great lifetime activity of disc golf, utilizing age appropriate equipment and a standards-based curriculum.  For more information on EDGE, check out www.edgediscgolf.org.

PDGA Points Leaders

Congratulations to all of the PDGA Points Leaders from 2020. You can view the final leaders and criteria in the link below!

VIEW THE FINAL POINTS LEADER WINNERS