PDGA Amateur Worlds Returns to Action in Florida

Mixed Doubles, Field Events kick off week-long competition in Orlando

Monday, August 16, 2021 - 13:04

The 2021 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships begin Tuesday in Orlando, Florida. Photo: Mark Ashman / PDGA

The time for practice and preparation – two years in the making – has passed for the 751 players who are set to compete for a PDGA World Championship this week in Florida.

Now, it’s go time.

751 players are set to compete this week in Florida. Photo: Mark Ashman / PDGA

Nine countries will be represented this week as the 2021 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships presented by Dynamic Discs & Latitude 64 officially kick off Tuesday in Orlando, Florida.

Players, who have waited since 2019 to compete for an Am Worlds title, will battle six rounds in the Florida weather and rough with a chance to add a world title to their resume.

See the complete schedule & more from Am Worlds»

For some, it’s the last stop before joining the professional ranks. For others, it’s a chance to compete among the best in their division.

These world titles will be earned. Nine courses are in play for the 14 divisions, including Turkey Lake, Barnett Park and Green Gauntlet at Palmetto Park.

Players from Canada, Colombia, France, Great Britain, Latvia, Mexico, New Zealand and Norway are in the mix, giving Am Worlds a true international flair.

Former PDGA Amateur World Championship winners »

Alexis Mandujano won the 2018 Am Worlds title in Charlotte. Photo: PDGA File

Past winners in the Advanced division include familiar names in Paul Ulibarri (2006), Jeremy Koling (2008) and Anthony Barela (2015). In the Advanced Women division, Vanessa Van Dyken (2014), Sai Ananda (2016) and Alexis Mandujano (2018) brought home titles.

Now the question is, who's next?

Mixed doubles kicked off action in Florida on Saturday. Photo: Mark Ashman / PDGA

Mixed Doubles, Field Event Kicks Off Competition

The action in Orlando got underway this weekend with Mixed Doubles at 2021 Amateur Worlds, which included 28 teams.

Florida natives Paul Gray and Chelsea Bazley took a four-stroke win over West Virginia’s Zach Stover and Brook Johnson. Tom Saksa and Kiara Kallaway, both of Florida, tied for third with Massachusetts’ Joseph Luks and New York’s Kaitlyn Clay.

PHOTOS: Am Worlds Mixed Doubles & Field Events»

On Sunday, 492 players competed in the Field Events, including the Long Drive Competition, Mini Golf, Putting Competition, and the Skillshot Challenge Presented by EDGE.