The Usual Suspects - Des Moines Challenge

Welcome to this week’s version of DGBDiscs.com's Usual Suspects! This weeks tournament will be played at Pickard Park on the gold pins layout. In its entirety this track measures out to a 9700’ par 64.  Plenty of par 4’s and 5’s to score on here at Pickard. The front 9 of the course is a bomber’s paradise. Several holes over 800’ with easily negotiable trees throughout the front 9. Island greens and water will only be a factor in on a couple holes at this course. The back 9  takes place mostly in the woods with a 1080’ monster to cap off 18, really emphasizing players needing to hit every one of their intended lines.

The major storyline at this tournament will be the fact that this tournament was not even a DGPT event until the postponement of the PCS Sula forced the DGPT to promote this event to the tour in order keep the number of scheduled events as promised. The  2020 Des Moines challenge  was canceled, but the 2019 top 5 was Ben Callaway, Terry Roethlisberger, Jacob sanders, Jake Lauber, and Zack Johnson in that order. This is the first time the Des Moines Challenege will be a dgpt event and hopefully it delivers some exciting disc golf for us!  The best of the best will be in the field at this tournament so with that, let’s dig into the picks for the week.

Adam Hammes: Has had good results here in the past, and has been in very good form all season. If he’s on his game this week, this is a course he could absolutely shred.

Garrett Gurthie (Pick to Win): After a disappointing showing at Worlds, Double G stayed on the road over the 4th of July and notched a 3rd place finish at The Majestic. He’ll be looking for another bounce back showing at this track and if he can jump out to an early lead on the front 9 it’ll be hard to see anyone catch up to him. 

Kevin Jones: In his two previous appearances At this event KJ finished 2nd and 9th. He has 4 consecutive top 5 finishes coming in to this tournament after finishing 15th at the OTB Open and is looking strong.

James Conrad: What could possibly be said about the newly crowned, two time PDGA World Champion that he hasn’t shown for himself. He won his only previous appearance at this event and to say he’s coming in hot is an understatement. 

Emerson Keith: He is coming off a win at the Utah Open and a very strong showing at Worlds. The kid is a player and I would expect more great play from him this week.  

Ben Callaway: I know, I know, he just finished T101 at Worlds but that is exactly why I am putting him on our list. He is a fierce competitor and has played very well in the other National Tour events this year. I think he bounces back in Des Moines in a big way.