Winthrop University hosts the 2025 United States Disc Golf Championships, filled with unforgettable memories and history being made into the record books.
By Maurion Jamison
Staff Writer
Sports
The 2025 United States Disc Golf Championship (USDGC) returned to Winthrop University with electric energy and high expectations. Fans packed the iconic eighteen hole course to witness the sport’s elite battle for glory.
From the first tee on Thursday, the wind played a starring role, testing precision and patience. Paul McBeth opened with a bogey free -10, setting the tone for a fierce competition.
Round two saw Ricky Wysocki tie the course record with a blistering 1102 rated performance. His aggressive play and pinpoint putting kept the leaderboard tight heading into the weekend.
By Saturday, the field narrowed as Anthony Barela surged with clutch birdies on holes thirteen through seventeen. His calm demeanor and powerful drives gave him a slim edge over seasoned veterans.
Missy Gannon dominated the Throw Pink Women’s Disc Golf Championship, defending her title with poise and precision. Her second win solidified her legacy and inspired a new generation of female athletes.
Sunday’s final round was a pressure cooker for all the cheese, with Barela, McBeth, and Wysocki trading leads across the front nine. Spectators were locked in as each shot carried championship weight.
Hole seventeen proved pivotal, with Barela threading a risky forehand through the treacherous laced fairway. The crowd erupted as his disc took a hold within Circle 1, sealing his momentum.
On hole eighteen, Barela needed par to clinch the title and delivered with a textbook upshot and confident putt. His victory marked a career milestone and a new chapter in disc golf’s competitive landscape.
The Winthrop Coliseum course proved again why it’s referred to as disc golf’s grandest stage. Its blend of beauty and struggle that challenges every aspect of the players’ game.
Vendors, fans, and media filled “Championship Village,” celebrating with merch drops and putting contests. The festive atmosphere reflected disc golf’s growing popularity and community spirit.
“It’s growing, people are discovering the sport and I think COVID helped with that on one side because everybody wanted to get out and it’s a good reason to do so,” said Skeet Scinski, a vendor and disc golf player at the championships.
With record attendance and global livestream views, the 2025 USDGC set a new benchmark for professional disc golf. The sport’s future looks bright, with Winthrop’s course continuing to be a hub for the sport’s growth.
