(This is the latest in a series coming to PDGA.com spotlighting the tournament directors of the PDGA Elite Series and beyond)

Jackie Morris has joined a small, but powerful list.

As the tournament director of the Dynamic Discs Open, a 2022 Disc Golf Pro Tour event on the PDGA Elite Series, Morris is the fifth female TD of a PDGA Elite Series event or PDGA Major since at least 2000.

In 2003, Angie Martin served as TD of the Seneca Creek Soiree, a PDGA National Tour event. Teresa Bellinger served as TD of the Beaver State Fling from 2005-07. Rebecca Duffy and Jenny Knisley were the TDs of the United States Women’s Disc Golf Championship in 2013 and 2021, respectively.

Jackie Morris looks over the Supreme 18 at Jones Park during a PDGA site visit in 2021. Photo: PDGA Media

Morris has risen through the ranks at Dynamic Discs, from working in the companies’ retail store in Emporia, Kansas to serving as volunteer coordinator for the 2016 PDGA Pro World Championships, as well as the Dynamic Discs Open.

She now serves as the Event Coordinator for Dynamic Discs and will serve as the Assistant Tournament Director with Doug Bjerkaas at the 2022 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships later this year.

We caught up with Jackie this week to get to know her story and what it means to her to work as a tournament director:

PDGA: How were you introduced to disc golf?

JM: In June of 2015, I was going into my senior year finishing my degree at Emporia State University. One of my friends told me about a job opening at the Dynamic Discs Retail Store. Disc golf was something I knew nothing about, and I decided to apply anyway because why not! After two weeks of working at the pro shop, I had to try disc golf. One of my best friends (and our Graphic Designers) took me out to Jones West and taught me how to play. You know how this story goes; we all get hooked--and that is precisely what happened to me! I played the 10-hole loop at Jones West just about every night after work during the summer of '15.

Tell us about the first event that you organized. What made you want to serve as a tournament director? What did you learn?

The first event I ever organized was a birthday party for a friend in high school, if you want to get specific. I've always loved planning events for others. It brings me joy to create joy for others. 

The first event I helped organize parts for was the 2016 PDGA Professional World Championships. I managed all of the volunteers as the Volunteer Coordinator. That's the first year I met Doug Bjerkaas and started helping him with events. After that, I was always helping with clinics and behind the scenes of our large events. 

The first disc golf event I organized was the Emporia Ladies Open with Denise Cameron (PDGA #41459). Thinking about it gives me goosebumps because we are so passionate about the event, and I can't believe this year will be the 4th year we run it. Of course, I learned from being in other roles, but I learned so much more being in the hot seat of a tournament director for ELO. I learned lists and timelines are your best friend. I learned it takes support from others. I learned you could not make everyone happy. And I learned you couldn't do it alone. 

One of the reasons I wanted to be a tournament director was so I could actively make a difference in the disc golf community. I attended some events I didn't necessarily like how it was running and was concerned about inclusivity. So, instead of complaining about it and wishing it was different, I joined in. Also, it was important for me to create a safe space for women to get started playing disc golf if they wanted. 

"When I came to Dynamic Discs in 2016 to start running events here, I did the GBO and then Pro Worlds. One of the things that I identified at GBO was that we've got to have a better effort to get volunteers. They are the lifeblood of these events and we needed to find someone that is dedicated to that process. Jackie, who was doing customer service for us at the time, became our volunteer coordinator and has held that role — and more — for every big event that we've had since 2016. She's done a fantastic job.

She has a desire to run events. She has been an assistant TD several times and has, along with Denise Cameron, built the Emporia Ladies Open into a great event. She's run a few B-Tiers and has worked hand-in-hand with me on these bigger events. I'm really excited to see what she does during the DDO.

Tournament directing tends to be a male-dominant arena at this point and I think it's refreshing to have a female working on events as well. It's just awesome. She's done a great job, loves disc golf and loves organizing. She's an effective communicator. Anything that you hand things off to someone else to do and they do a better job than you did, that's a good problem to have. Her skills are top notch and I'm excited to see her enter the arena of big-time tournament directing.

By the time Pro Worlds is done this year, I might not have my name attached to these events anymore." — Doug Bjerkaas

What should be the top priority for a TD? What is your ultimate goal as a TD?

Top priority - Remember the why and who you're doing it.

My ultimate goal is to continue growing the sport among women.

What is one piece of advice for someone hosting their first event?

You cannot make everyone happy.

Jackie Morris hosts the player's meeting for the 2022 Dynamic Discs Open. Photo: PDGA Media

What is one thing TDs often overlook?

The simple things - having bathrooms, making sure there is water on the course, taking the time to mark OB lines, and thanking everyone who attends and helps.

What does it mean to you to be among a small group of female TDs at the Elite Series level?

Wow. I'm tearing up a little thinking about this. I'm passionate about women's empowerment and finding them a seat at the table. It's growing rapidly and I want to see women's disc golf continue to grow. It's an honor to be a part of that list.

How has women’s disc golf continued to grow? What does the disc golf community need to do to continue its growth?

The growth has been steady. We see more competitors every year. However, I think it will take having more women in disc golf roles, outside of playing, to continue the growth.

What is your advice to women looking to start a women’s league or tournament?

Just go do it. Get the ladies together. Be that voice. We sometimes wait for someone else to do it, but just go. If you're the disc golfer in your community, start rallying the women together and try to grow it from there.

"That just goes to where our sport is growing. We're getting those women added to our division, but we're also seeing women take control, like Jackie. That's awesome to see. She's so organized, so motivated and I'm very excited to see what she can do for our sport." — Kona Panis, Team Dynamic Discs

What makes the Dynamic Discs Open unique?

The city of Emporia. I haven't been to many disc golf events outside of Kansas, so I am biased, but I think the city of Emporia is unique. It helps elevate the Dynamic Discs Open experience.

What is your favorite hole at the Dynamic Discs Open?

Oh, gosh. Hole 5 at Jones Supreme 18. Hole 9 at Jones West was one of my favorites, and I feel like the new hole 5 is the "pro" version of it...I mean technically it is the pro version. 

What can fans expect from the 2022 Dynamic Discs Open?

LOTS OF DISC GOLF.