Colorado Springs, Colo. (October 22, 2020)—USA Ultimate, in cooperation with the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), announced today the establishment of a new event – the Ultimate Disc Golf Derby.

Essentially disc golf using approved ultimate discs, the event consists of a set of local tournaments in select markets that are connected virtually to a larger national competition using the PDGA’s round rating system. The result is a scoring structure that allows players and teams to effectively compete against each other from afar while playing on different courses.

On a larger scale, the 2020 Ultimate Disc Golf Derby officially marks USA Ultimate’s launch of a new, long-term disc golf program and strategic collaboration with the PDGA.

“We are very excited to introduce this new program and playing opportunity for our members,” commented USA Ultimate CEO Tom Crawford. “We are thrilled to partner with the PDGA on what we see as a great relationship going forward and continue building creative playing opportunities beyond this first series of events.”

With the current public health crisis serving as an initial catalyst, the alliance between the two disc sports organizations was designed with several goals in mind: to offer USA Ultimate members more opportunities to compete and train with ultimate discs; to introduce disc golf to ultimate players; and to facilitate a closer connection between the two sports’ communities.

Specific dates and locations are still being confirmed for the inaugural edition, with local events expected to occur between October 31 and December 6.

“While there has been crossover in the past, disc golf and ultimate have remained largely independent of one another even as both made major strides over the last decade,” PDGA Executive Director Joe Chargualaf added. “We are excited to have an opportunity to bring these two great sports together in a way that will showcase the collective strength of the flying disc community while at the same time tightening the bonds between our players and organizations.”

Competition is open to all current USA Ultimate and PDGA members while non-members may purchase a discounted one-time USA Ultimate event membership to enter. 

A variety of age and gender divisions are available in both individual and team classifications.

Individual options include U-19, Open and 40+ age divisions in men’s and women’s Amateur categories.

The same three age-based divisions are offered in the team competition in men’s mixed and women’s categories. And because of the PDGA’s rating system, teams can form virtually with teammates competing together despite playing on different courses in different locations.

Events will rely mostly upon PDGA rules with a few exceptions, most notably the required use of any USA Ultimate-approved 175g disc (or approved junior discs for participants under the age of 12).

USA Ultimate and the PDGA together drafted a set of competition guidelines outlining more details, including registration, eligibility, rules and more.

For more information, including dates and locations of local events and prize list details, please continue to check the USA Ultimate website and social media platforms throughout the coming weeks.