Doug Bjerkaas is driven by making an impact. When he received the call to join the PDGA last year as Director of Operations, he had already demonstrated his long-standing commitment to growing disc golf. Whether he was designing and installing courses, founding the Rocky Mountain Women’s Disc Golf Championships or working for Dynamic Discs, Doug’s career has been noteworthy. His skill as a tournament director for numerous events, including several Elite Series and World Championships, won him the 2016 Brent Hambrick TD of the Year Award. It is this hard work and dedication over the years that has given him an intuitive understanding of what it takes for this sport to flourish.
When Rebecca Duffy – PDGA #33115 – won the PDGA’s Bob West Memorial Sportsmanship Award in 2009, it placed her squarely on the radar of disc golf’s global governing body. Within a year, former Executive Director Brian Graham recruited Duffy as a PDGA marshal – a volunteer role, but one that would further increase Duffy’s many relationships within the rapidly broadening disc golf community.
In 2011, Duffy was elected to the PDGA Board of Directors – also a volunteer role – and in 2012 she began a term as board president that would last until 2018.
StatMando – the brand, the data, the engaging posts, and the people behind them – are now part of the PDGA family.
For many disc golf fans, StatMando’s data analysis and insight has enhanced the experience of following the world’s top professional disc golfers competing on the Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) and at PDGA Majors. This exciting acquisition ensures the continuation of those touchpoints – and of the StatMando brand – while bringing plans for new digital tools and experiences to the PDGA membership at large.
Growth has defined disc golf over the past 18 months, and the Professional Disc Golf Association is no exception. We continue to break records in active memberships and sanctioned events month over month. To keep up with this surge, we are happy to announce that we have made some changes to the organization and staff to better serve our members while also continuing to fulfill our obligations as the global governing body of disc golf.
As of April 16, 2020, the number of PDGA staff members and contract support has been reduced by more than half. The affected employees have been temporarily furloughed and will rejoin the staff once standard operations, including sanctioning, resume. During this period furloughed employees won’t be paid; however, they will retain their critical health benefits.
“I have always said we have the best staff around, and that has been reinforced throughout this whole process,” PDGA Board of Directors President Justin Menickelli said. “We are grateful to all of our staff members and consider them family, and we will welcome them back with open arms once we are on the other side of this crisis.”
Matthew Rothstein (left) and Dennis Hengeveld are new faces at the Professional Disc Golf Association. Courtesy photos
The Professional Disc Golf Association continues to enhance its staff as the organization keeps up with the demands of a 50,000-strong membership base, with two new players joining the marketing and media department last week.
Matthew Rothstein joins the team as a media specialist, while Dennis Hengeveld comes aboard as the digital marketing specialist. Both bring a stout work ethic, a hunger to learn, and a passion for disc golf to the table.
Todd Lion has been a tournament director and club president in South Carolina for the last five years. He is now the PDGA's new events assistant. Courtesy photo
The biggest events can come down to the smallest details; an unclear out-of-bounds line here or an ill-defined rules application can take the shine off a tournament.
Luckily, new PDGA events assistant Todd Lion sweats the small stuff.
“When I look for a good event, I’m looking for the on-the-ground execution of the nuts and bolts, the daily grind, the base level requirements for a successful event,” Lion said. “…From my experience as a TD in my area, I think that those are the areas I excel in.”
Left to right: Shawn Sinclair, Steve Hill, Dalton Slantis, Mike Downes
Just as disc golf continues to grow, so do we: The Professional Disc Golf Association is ringing in the new year with some changes and additions to its staff.
These new positions will help us adapt to the increased mission requirements and changing priorities of the PDGA as the sport continues to evolve. Please give everyone a warm welcome!
