Paige Pierce poses for a photo with FA4 winner Gabi Sigafoo at the 2021 USWDGC. Photo: PDGA Media

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — Twenty-two years ago, Juliana Korver won an upstart event, created to celebrate women’s disc golf that 21 women attended.

On Sunday in Northern California, Korver, with strong emotion showing, walked down the fairway on the 54th and final hole of the record-setting 2021 United States Women’s Disc Golf Championships, the first PDGA Pro Major event of the season.

Paige Pierce opened up a four-shot lead after the first round of the 2021 USWDGC. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA Media

NORTH CALIFORNIA — Kelley Snyder and her card mates shared a big laugh as their names were being announced prior to teeing off on Friday at Johnson Springview Park in Rocklin.

But just after that light-hearted moment, the game face was on.

That was the scene throughout the area on Friday as 263 players throughout 17 divisions and three courses kicked off the 2021 United States Women’s Disc Golf Championships, the first PDGA Pro Major of the year.

Holly Finley lines up a shot during the 2019 USWDGC. Photo: PDGA Media

Twenty-two years ago, five-time PDGA World Champion Juliana Korver won the first edition of the Women's National Championship, besting eight players in the FPO division in a tournament that had a total field of 21 players.

Registration for the 2021 United States Women's Disc Golf Championship, one of 10 PDGA Major events for 2021, opens at 6 p.m. PST on Feb. 15, 2021.

The USWDGC returns as a PDGA Major in 2021 after the coronavirus pandemic led to the postponement or cancellation of all 2020 PDGA National Tour and Major events.

Courses

Shady Oaks Park

7208 Hazel Ave., Orangevale, CA 95662

• Course Information

Rocklin Disc Golf Course

5460 5th St., Rocklin, CA, 95677