DGPT Elite Series Heads to Europe
The 2023 PCS Open presented by Innova took place last weekend in Vestnes, Norway at Øverås Diskgolfpark. The tournament marks a major milestone for international disc golf as the first DGPT Elite Event held outside the United States. Team Innova had podium finishes in both divisions, with Eveliina Salonen and Calvin Heimburg each taking 3rd place. We are proud to have been the presenting sponsor of this landmark tournament and can’t wait for the Pro Tour to return to Norway next year.
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About Øverås Diskgolfpark
Øverås Diskgolfpark is raising the bar for what a Pro Tour course should be. Rolling hills, manicured greens, treacherous, glistening water hazards, and expansive views over the Norwegian Fjords make this area of southwest Norway one of the most idyllic disc golf destinations in the world. Beyond the breathtaking views, the attention to detail at Øverås makes the course feel worthy of a top-tier professional sporting event. Creative features like the iconic Gates of Valhalla triple mando make each hole unique. The course also provides a great challenge and a wide-variety of shot types. This year, even par averaged over 1000 rated for the MPO.
Photo by DGPT
Salonen Has Best Finish of Season
Photo by DGPT
Finland’s Eveliina Salonen took 3rd place at the 2023 PCS Open, the first DGPT event she’s played in over two months. That is her highest finish so far this season. Known as one of the best throwers in the FPO, Eveliina did not disappoint off the tee. She led the field in Strokes Gained Tee to Green, C1 Hits in Regulation, and C2 Hits in Regulation. But she also shined on the putting green, sitting in 6th place in C2 putting for the event.
Eveliina shot the hot round of the weekend for the FPO on the first day at -6. Her highlight of the tournament was an eagle on the challenging Hole 12 in that first round. She jumped six spots up the DGPT Point Standings, closer to qualifying position.
Blomroos Back on Tour
Photo by DGPT
Innova Star Team member Henna Blomroos took 9th place at the 2023 PCS Open. Henna and Eveliina are touring partners and best friends, so the two have been on the same schedule this season. After a long break, Henna showed that she has been keeping the rust off. She led the field in Fairway Hits and Parked percentage and was 3rd in Strokes Gained Tee to Green. With both Henna and Kristin Tattar (the 2023 PCS winner) on the European Team for President’s Cup, Team Europe has a fighting chance of taking home their first win later this week. Henna and Eveliina will both be playing in the European Open this weekend and will return to the States for the World Championships in Vermont at the end of August.
Jessica Weese Makes Top 10 (And More Importantly Gets Engaged!)
Jessica Weese finished in a tie for 10th, making for eight DGPT and PDGA Major top tens so far this season. She led the field in Strokes Gained from C2 for the weekend. Jessica remains in 9th of the DGPT Point Standings and is having one of the most consistent seasons in the FPO field.
Congratulations to Jessica Weese and Garrett Gurthie on their new engagement! Garrett took the opportunity of the beautiful Norwegian scenery to propose and Jessica said yes. Innova could not be happier to see two of our favorite people take this huge step together. We wish you a lifetime as best friends, companions, and mixed doubles partners!
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Heimburg Looks Sharp Heading into Major
Team Innova superstar Calvin Heimburg had yet another podium finish last weekend, taking 3rd place. Don’t forget how big a deal it is to make a Pro Tour podium just because Calvin does it almost every week! Every time it is a huge achievement and deserves recognition. But in case you’ve lost count, this makes for a dizzying nine DGPT Elite podiums this season out of ten standard Elite Events.
Photo by DGPT
Calvin was 2nd in the field in Fairway Hits, C2 Hits in Regulation, and Birdie percentage. He shot back-to-back -9 rounds on the first two days to go into the final day tied for 1st. Calvin remains well in the lead of the DGPT Point Standings. He is the number one player in the world in the UDisc rankings, PDGA rankings, and the Statmando rankings. Calvin is among the best players in the game yet to win a Major title. With the way he is playing this season, this weekend’s European Open may be where that changes.
The 2023 European Open
This weekend’s 2023 European Open will be the second PDGA Major of the year. As competitive as DGPT Elite Events have become, the allure of a Major title still gives the few tournaments a year that earn that designation a heightened sense of importance. Eveliina Salonen and Henna Blomroos have been in Europe practicing for most of this season; will that give them a competitive edge over the field? Calvin Heimburg has only missed one Elite podium this season; is he finally ready to join the ranks of disc golf’s greats as a Major Champion? Watch all four rounds aired live on the Disc Golf Network July 20th-23rd. Visit Innovadiscs.com for tournament recaps, tips, and the latest news from Team Innova.
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