April 3, 2020

Dear PDGA Junior Competitor,

Congratulations! You have been invited to the 2020 PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships presented by Dynamic Discs in Emporia, Kansas from July 7^th -11^th based on your performance in 2019. The PDGA, Dynamic Discs, and the City of Emporia look forward to hosting you for this event.

The PDGA, Dynamic Discs, Emporia Main Street, and the Emporia Convention and Visitors Bureau certainly have the experience and manpower to host the 2020 PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships. Dynamic Discs has been running and hosting PDGA events for fifteen years with great success and support from the disc golf community. Recently, Dynamic Discs has hosted both the 2018 & 2019 PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships, the 2016 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships, the 2013 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships and several Glass Blown Open National Tour events. The city of Emporia is committed to disc golf and is going to make the 2020 PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships an unforgettable and enjoyable experience from the time that you show up to town until the time that you leave.

The courses, lodging, food and disc golf related activities are all located within five miles of downtown Emporia making the tournament experience one that involves minimal transportation between courses and special events.

Courses

The 2020 PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships will feature six disc golf courses:

Note: pars and distances will vary depending on age group.

Hammond Park

(2172 feet, Par 27) Hammond Park is a short technical nine-hole course installed permanently in 2017 specifically for Junior Worlds. The holes range from 150 feet to 318 feet. The signature hole on this course is Hole 9 measuring 250 feet. Hole 9 requires a straight shot into a gap in a tree line with the basket set about 30 feet into the trees and on a steep ledge. The nine-hole layout will be used for several of the younger age groups but is a course enjoyed by Emporia residents of all ages!

Soden’s Grove Park

(2025 feet, Par 27) The Soden’s Grove course is a moderately wooded challenging nine-hole course that will be set in a permanent layout just for the 2020 Junior Worlds! This park-style course requires technical shots on all nine holes made up of lush green grass and mature trees. A miniature train runs through the park on weekends. The tracks for the train also provide for additional out-of-bounds areas. Locals have enjoyed this challenging short course every fall when it has been set-up for a one-day fundraising event. Emporia is thrilled to offer the course in a permanent fashion just in time for Junior Worlds! The younger divisions will play Soden’s Grove.

Peter Pan Park

(long - 6468 feet, Par 57) Peter Pan is a technical course. Water comes into play on several holes. The signature hole on this course is Hole 8 or as some folks call it “Monkey Island” measuring 350 feet. Hole 8 requires an accurately placed tee shot to find safety on the island. Peter Pan is a local favorite amongst Emporia disc golfers. This course was established in 2007 with a special thanks to the local Optimist group who funded the baskets. In 2017 and in preparation for Junior Worlds, several course improvements were made, including new shorter tee box locations and new shorter pin positions making the course challenging for a variety of age levels.

Jones West

(long - 6137 feet, Par 58) Jones West is a beautiful course that has cedar trees and water on multiple holes. A well-placed tee shot can certainly be the difference between a 2 and a 4 on most of the holes at this established park course. The signature hole is Hole 18 measuring 465 feet. Players face a tough decision on this hole, having to decide whether to throw over the water or play it safe off of the tee. The pin sits on a hill that often causes shots to roll away. Jones West was established in 1992. In 2017 and in preparation for Junior Worlds, several course improvements were made, including new shorter tee box locations and new shorter pin positions making the course challenging for a variety of age levels.

Jones East

(long - 7531 feet, Par 59) Jones East is a long course with several water hazards and tight OB lines. Elevation changes add to the complexity of the holes at Jones East. The signature hole is Hole 9 measuring 726 feet. Players can attack this long par 4 with either a big anhyzer or an accurate straight shot through a tight gap off of the tee. Well-placed cedars and road OB make the hole difficult. A solid shot off the tee allows for a birdie opportunity, while any mistake can result in a double bogey or worse. Scoring even par at this course for the average player makes for a good day. Jones East was established in 2001. Numerous short tee pads were added to Jones East in 2017 in preparation for Junior Worlds.

Emporia Country Club

(long - 9712 feet, Par 63) This course has been designed on the beautiful grounds at Emporia Country Club. The facility features a relaxing atmosphere and club house where food and drinks are available for purchase. This course utilizes the long downhill and uphill fairways of the ball golf course to create extremely challenging holes. The water and cart paths are used for OB. The signature hole is Hole 16 measuring 340 feet over the water to a small island green measuring only 60'x40'. Players are often tested by the wind and have to make the tough decision to go for the green or lay-up to a bailout zone short and right of the island. The course was initially designed for the 2011 Glass Blown Open by Eric McCabe and has become the centerpiece course for many tournaments held in Emporia since then. Several new tee pads have been added to the Emporia Country Club in the spring of 2019, making the course even more versatile.

Course Practice Note: The Emporia Country Club will be open for practice rounds on Saturday, July 4th and Sunday, July 5th in the afternoons and all day on Monday, July 6th. Practice rounds at the Country Club will cost each player $10.00/round. Soden’s Grove, Hammond Park, Peter Pan Park, Jones West, and Jones East will be set up in Worlds layout no later than July 1st and are free to play.

Lodging

The City of Emporia offers various lodging options. Please go to the website: pdgajuniorworlds.com/category/lodging for hotel information. Hotels in Emporia are very moderately priced. These hotels tend to fill up quickly for large disc golf events. Get your reservations made sooner than later!

Unlike most PDGA World Championships, tournament central is not located at a hotel. Events that traditionally take place at a host hotel will take place at the Emporia Granada Theatre, the Dynamic Discs Distribution Center, or at the Emporia Country Club. Player Check-In and the Player Meeting / Opening Ceremonies will take place at the Emporia Granada Theatre. The Final Awards presentation will take place at the Emporia Country Club. Other events will occur at various locations around Emporia.

Travel

Players flying to the 2020 PDGA Junior World Disc Golf Championships will want to fly into either Kansas City (MCI) or Wichita (ICT). Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is a two-hour drive to Emporia. Wichita International Airport (ICT) is a one and a half hour drive from Emporia. Emporia is conveniently located right on I-35 making automobile travel from the north or south easy and direct. I-70 is less than an hour north of Emporia making automobile travel from the east or west easy and direct.

Planned Events

• Sunday, July 5th – Divisional Doubles Championship; two rounds at Peter Pan
• Monday, July 6th – Field Events (SkillShot, Putting, Distance, and Mini Golf) at Emporia Middle School Tuesday, July 7th – Player Check-In at the Granada Theatre
• Tuesday, July 7th – Player Meeting at the Granada Theater
• Friday, July 10th – Fly Mart (location weather dependent)
• Saturday, July 11th– Final Award Ceremony at the Emporia Country Club

Other special events will be added to the schedule soon! Please visit pdgajuniorworlds.com for the latest news and schedule updates.

Sponsorship and Fly Mart

There are several sponsorship opportunities for the 2020 PDGA Junior World Disc Golf Championships. Please visit pdgajuniorworlds.com/interested-in-sponsoring for details on sponsorship packages and Fly Mart information. Questions regarding sponsorship or the Fly Mart can also be directed to [email protected].

Registration

Critical Reminder: Any Junior Worlds Competitor younger than 13 years of age must be accompanied by their parent/guardian during their tournament rounds.

Be sure to check the Invite List and the Registration Schedule to determine your first available registration tier and on what date it opens.

The site for registration is: discgolfscene.com/tournaments/2019_PDGA_Junior_Disc_Golf_World_Championships/register.

Should the registration schedule be changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PDGA will make an announcement and upload a new registration schedule.

Registration costs are:

• Singles - $100 (includes a $10 facilities fee, $5 Ace Pot, and a $10 non-refundable reg fee.)
• Divisional Doubles - $10 per partner (both partners must register separately)
• Field Events - $10 per event (note: one-half of the Skillshot fees are donated to E.D.G.E.)

While registering, parents may also purchase a Parent Pack for $30 that includes a shirt, a special disc, and other goodies for the parents or guardians traveling with their kids (be sure to choose the correct size shirt of the parent.)

Please direct all questions concerning invites, registration, or withdrawals and refunds, to the PDGA Tour Manager, Andrew Sweeton at [email protected], NOT to the Tournament Director.

We look forward to seeing you in Emporia for Junior Worlds!

Doug Bjerkaas
2020 PDGA Junior Worlds Tournament Director