2018 PDGA World Champion Paige Bjerkaas. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
With a unique setting in the Green Mountains as its backdrop and a pair of unique winners, the 2018 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships at Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Vermont is an event that won’t soon be forgotten. And now, even if you somehow don’t remember how it all played out, you can relive it.
2018 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Champion Gregg Barsby. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
The 2018 PDGA Pro World Championships at Smugglers’ Notch Resort was certainly an event that the disc golf world will remember for a long time, and for good reason: With heated competition across all five days, two first-time world champs crowned, and a stunning setting in the Green Mountains of Vermont, there was a lot to celebrate.
Gregg Barsby signs a hat with '1x' after his PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships victory in Jeffersonville, Vermont. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
Five days at Smugglers’ Notch Disc Golf Center in Jeffersonville, Vermont, yielded one of the most memorable, unpredictable PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships in recent memory. Emotions overflowed, records were broken and, when all was said and done, a pair of first-time world champions were crowned.
Gregg Barsby took down his first career PDGA Major and World Championship crown with a determined final round Sunday at Smugglers' Notch Resort Disc Golf Center. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
JEFFERSONVILLE, Vt. – Surrounded by a throng of friends, fans, and media, Gregg Barsby tallied his score. He double-checked it, then triple-checked.
Paige Bjerkaas jumps for joy after tapping in her PDGA World Championship-winning putt Sunday afternoon at Sumgglers' Notch Resort Disc Golf Center. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
JEFFERSONVILLE, Vt. – Paige Pierce said it. Sarah Hokom echoed the same sentiment. Even the new world champion’s father felt that she would eventually win a major tournament.
Everyone always knew it was coming. They just didn’t expect it to happen so soon.
Gregg Barsby is in familiar territory as he enters the final round of the PDGA Professional Disc Golf Championships with a slim lead. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
JEFFERSONVILLE, Vt. – Gregg Barsby shook his head in dismay, his long hair draped over one shoulder after he released it from the shackles of his mesh-backed hat.
Paige Bjerkaas quickly lost her lead during Saturday's fourth round of Pro Worlds, but she regained control to head into Sunday's final with a five-shot advantage. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
JEFFERSONVILLE, Vt. – Paige Bjerkaas’ day didn’t exactly go as planned.
As temperatures plummeted here at Smugglers’ Notch Disc Golf Center for the Open Women’s lead card’s 9:30 a.m. tee time Saturday, the 21-year-old Kansan’s game matched the conditions. Simply put, it was cold.
Double bogey. Par. Triple bogey. A five-stroke lead, evaporated in a mere three holes at Fox Run Meadows.
