Written by Matt Lisac, Parked Pro

Aldergrove, BC - Top American professionals have been coming to the BC Open for many years. With Aldergrove (a short drive from Vancouver) BC being so close to the border, and featuring massive fields and healthy payouts, it’s an event that consistently brings in big names from across the Pacific Northwest. Multi-time winner Scott Withers includes BC in his vast swath of regional dominance, and players like Chander Fry, Dustin Keegan, Carter Ahrens, the Nava brothers and Chris Nelson have all made stops here in recent years. 

Full results, British Columbia Open presented by Discmania (DGMT) >>

For the 2024 edition, Withers came in as the highest-rated player, and had a chip on his shoulder after losing out to Canadian Casey Hanemayer in a tense 2023 affair. Chandler Fry returned as well, having lost the 2018 event in similarly heartbreaking fashion. Joining them for the final round were immensely-talented youngsters Colin Bryant and AM World Champion Axel Olson, making for an all-American lead card. Team Canada members Hanemayer and Thomas Gilbert were not far behind on the chase card, alongside Kirby Snyder who threw in for a 280’ ace on the 3rd hole in Round 2. 

With a 7 stroke lead 4 holes into the final round at Raptor’s Knoll Disc Golf Park, the Oregonian Withers was expected by most to walk in a routine victory, but an eagle by Fry on the 5th hole, followed by a birdie on the 7th, and then consecutive bogeys by Withers cut the lead down to 3 going into the back stretch. After an OB drive by Withers on the short island 14th hole tied the match, Fry took the lead with a birdie on the long 17th. Withers had a circle’s edge putt on 18 to force a playoff, but in front of the largest crowd of the event, his putter couldn’t find the mark, and Chandler Fry tapped in for his first BC Open victory on the back of a bogey-free 1049-rated final round.

On the FPO side, Rachel Moens (joined on the leaderboard by sisters Julie and Jordan) took a lead into the second day over Jessy Prado-Smith and Gabby Lee, before being caught by presumptive favourite (and returning champion) Sofia Donnecke, fresh off some impressive play on the DGPT south of the border, in the second round. Donnecke’s power and putting prowess were on display at the Campbell Valley InDesign Course (a temporary course built at a hilly and mixed-wooded equestrian facility specifically for the event) shooting the only bogey-free round of the day for a 992-rated masterpiece. Back at the technical Raptor’s Knoll for the final day, Donnecke was not phased by the hard-charging Taylor Chocek and Lee, and maintained the pace for a 7 stroke victory in front of friends and fans alike.

“We are very happy with the reaction from the players at this year’s event. Despite facing some last minute obstacles including a course redesign at the 11th hour, there were some very close finishes in many of the divisions, including an epic come from behind win by Chandler Fry in MPO to end the event. We look forward to a bigger and better event next year, which will be 20th anniversary of the event.”

-TD Craig Sheather

"The BC Open has one of the longest and proudest histories when it comes to Canadian events, and the 450+ person field is a testament to the hours (and decades) of dedication from all the TD’s and volunteers. You will always see amazing disc golf played on incredible courses here, what more could you ask for?"

- Andre Lodder, CEO Parked Pro Medi

Other Notes from the BC Open: Two west coast legends, Chris Hartmann and Ted Moens (father to the Moens sisters) decided the MP60 division in a playoff, with Hartmann taking a title on a course he has put countless hours into building and maintaining. Scott Withers and Chris Bryant received USDGC invitations, and Taylor Chocek received an invitation to Throw Pink with their finishes.

The full standings of the CDGT can be found at CDGT.ca

Players can earn CDGT points at all Canadian A-tier and B-tier events.

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PDGA Canada re-invests Canadian player fees back into the sport in Canada, assisting tournaments, training events, course construction, media like the CDGT, and more. Their support makes the BC Open and Canadian Disc Golf Tour possible. The CDGT is an exciting new opportunity for players to compete at a high level and showcase their skills on a national stage, in a way that has never been available for players in Canada looking to make the jump to global professional competition. From providing structure, support and sanctioning for tournaments, to helping aspiring professionals reach their athletic dreams, PDGA Canada has been instrumental in bringing Disc Golf into the mainstream in Canada as both a sport and a competitive hobby.

Media Contact:

Andre Lodder

CEO - Parked Pro Media Inc.

(250) 308-4558

[email protected]

Additional Resources:

www.cdgt.ca

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