Masters of the Game
Nearly 900 players competed last weekend in Flagstaff, Arizona at the biggest and most-prestigious Masters event of the year, the 2023 PDGA Masters World Championship. PDGA numbers below 100 played alongside others over 200,000. 16 countries, 5 Canadian provinces, and 48 US States were represented. Out of that sea of competitors, Innova Team members Joe Rovere (MP40), Ohn Scoggins (FP40), Juliana Korver (FP50), Pam Reineke (FP60), and Sandy Gast (FP65) rose above their fields to earn World titles. Holly Finley (FP40), Jennifer Allen (FP40), J. Gary Dropcho (MP65), and Kenny Lee (MP65) all landed on the podium as well. Congratulations to Innova’s Masters Team for showing that high-level, compelling, professional sports can be played at all ages.
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Ohn Scoggins, 3X Consecutive Masters World Champion (FP40)
In FP40, Ohn Scoggins opened her tournament with a 1008-rated, 12-under round that told the field “Stay away from my World Championship title!” But competitor and Innova teammate Holly Finley wasn’t so easily intimidated. Holly shot the hot second round by four strokes to move into a tie with Ohn. From that point on, Ohn retook command of the tournament, growing her lead with each of the following rounds. That said, the race felt close until the final nine and the end scores do not reflect the match that went down between Ohn and Holly.
This was Ohn Scoggins’ third-consecutive Masters Worlds win. Holly Finley finished 2nd, three strokes ahead of Innova Star Team member Jennifer Allen who took 3rd. Though they are all Masters eligible, Ohn, Holly, and Jen are three of the best touring pros in the FPO. All three are registered to compete in the FPO division of upcoming Disc Golf Pro Tour events and will be some of the favorites to win. Congratulations on the Masters Worlds podiums and good luck back on tour!
Back-to-Back World Titles for Joe Rovere (MP40)
Joe Rovere defended his MP40 World title, beating Cale Leiviska in one of the tightest races of the weekend. Through five and a half rounds, Joe won the event by a single stroke. After shooting the hot round at -10 on moving day, Rovere and Leiviska sat tied, six strokes clear of the field. Joe backed his hot round up with another -10 in the semi-finals, pulling ahead by two strokes. In the final nine, Rovere held onto his lead and walked away two-time Masters World Champion. This was Joe’s 148th PDGA career win, but only his second Major win – who says athletes peak in their twenties?
Korver Returns to Flagstaff to Win 7th PDGA World Title (FP50)
PDGA / Mark Marking
Juliana Korver took home her seventh PDGA World title last weekend (one Amatuer title, five Open Pro titles, and now one Masters title). She dominated the field, winning by a 28 stroke margin for the event. This win comes nearly 20 years after Juliana’s fifth FPO World title, which she won in 2003, also in Flagstaff, Arizona. Juliana is one of disc golf’s all time greats. She still competes successfully in the FPO division on the Disc Golf Pro Tour. One of her biggest goals this season is to make the DGPT Tour Championship. This big win should give Juliana a boost of confidence heading into Ledgestone and her upcoming tour events.
Reineke Earns Ninth PDGA Major Victory (FP60)
PDGA / Mark Marking
Pam Reineke defended her title in the FP60 division, beating Peggy Berry by 3 strokes. The division started out neck and neck. After the first two rounds, four players sat in a tie. Pam pulled out to a healthy lead by the fourth round, but Peggy Berry still had a final charge in her. Peggy’s impressive display in the semi-finals tightened things back up to one stroke. Pam, the seasoned-pro, kept cool and secured her victory on the final nine. This win marks nine PDGA Major wins for Pam in age-protected divisions.
Hot Rounds Only for Sandy Gast (FP65)
Sandy Gast won the 2023 Masters World Championship in the FP65 division, in a wire-to-wire victory in which she shot the hot round every day of competition! Her opening round at -6 rated was the best rated of the division for the event. This was Sandy’s ninth PDGA Major win, including a victory at the Tim Selinske Masters in FP55 earlier this year.
PDGA / Mark Marking
Dropcho and Lee Make the Podium (MP65)
Masters Team member, J. Gary Dropcho, took 2nd place last weekend in MP65. Teammate Kenny Lee took 3rd. In the fourth round, Jay Gobrecht pulled away from the field. That left a handful of players fighting for two podium positions. With strong semi-final and final nine performances, Dropcho and Lee secured those podium spots for themselves and Team Innova. Congratulations to all our athletes, especially our podium finishers and new World Champions!
Disc Golf Masters Tour Presented by Innova
The 2023 PDGA Masters Worlds is a tour stop on the new Disc Golf Masters Tour Presented by Innova. This is a series of 23 of the most prestigious and competitive Masters events across the country, with points awarded to players based on their finishes at each event. Players will be invited to the DGMT Finale at North Cove DGC at the end of the year, based on point totals and results throughout the season at DGMT events. Check out the current point standings for DGMT on Statmando.
