Trek Disc Golf

The 2024 LWS Open at Idlewild presented by Dynamic Discs and The Nati will take place this weekend and span from Friday, August 9th to Sunday August 11th. A classic stop on the DGPT, Idlewild presents a challenge for the professionals to air it out on long straight shots, while also carving through the woods to greens lined with out of bounds. The course remains similar to years past, with both divisions playing a pretty similar layout. The only differences being some distance on certain holes or a difference in pars between the divisions. FPO distance is 9,205 feet with a par of 71 and the MPO distance is 9,629 feet with a par of 68.

Previewing the FPO division, I am inclined to go with the top three in the field to be fighting for the victory. Last years winner, Valerie Mandujanu is not registered, there are no European players, and the only other player that I would consider is actually Madison Walker. She played incredibly well here last year, finishing in the top 5, but also leading the field in strokes gained tee to green and C1 in regulation. However, given how well some of the other players are going, I am not going to pick Madison to podium this weekend. Really, its between Missy Gannon, Ohn Scoggins, and Holyn Handley in my mind. Skill wise, they all excel in different aspects of the game, but coming off the win, I think Holyn Handley wins this tournament. She has the distance and all around game coming into form that I think will lead her to victory. In second, I’ll take Missy Gannon, who was a bit of a let down last weekend after a solid first round. But given Missy’s consistency, I look for her to bounce back here with a top finish. And finally, I’ll take Ohn to finish in third. She is someone I always think on some of the longer courses that she wouldn’t have a chance, but she is able to put things together and putt lights out that puts her right in the mix.

On the MPO side, things are very interesting. Of course, there is Gannon Buhr. Not only did he win this event last year, but he is coming off a victory at Ledgestone and the European Open. How can you not pick him to win?

Watch me. It is definitely a leap. Gannon has the all around game right now that drives players to not only success, but dominance. Last year, he was incredible, and his putter was on fire. When you look at the throwing statistics, he was never in the top 5, but his putter led him to the win. Those players that were on the top of the leaderboard in strokes gained tee to green and C1 in regulation are some of the players who are also playing really well recently. Namely, Calvin Heimburg, Kyle Klein, and Isaac Robinson. In 2022, Isaac won this event, shooting a -32, just one stroke worse than what Gannon did in 2023. Kyle won this event in 2021 and has been in the top 5 the past 2 years. Calvin, in his dominant year, finished two strokes behind Gannon last year, but has yet to win this event. So, given that Isaac, Gannon, and Kyle have won, it has to be Calvin’s turn. I’ll take Calvin to win this event with Kyle to continue his stellar play in Kentucky. And finally, as the two good friends battle it out for the third spot on the podium, I’ll take Isaac edging out Gannon to finish in 3rd this weekend.

Enjoy the disc golf. Let it rip!