Good news! Based on the current conditions in Oceanside, San Diego County, California, it looks like we will be able to have spectators for The Challenge at Goat Hill Park, Presented by Innova. There will be limits on the number of people allowed, and spectators will be required to wear masks and social distance from others. But this is a much better situation than last year’s event and many of the events that have occurred so far in the 2021 disc golf season.
Tournament staff is currently working with the Disc Golf Pro Tour, Goat Hill Park and Innova Disc Golf to create a spectating plan that maintains the health and safety of the players and tournament staff, protects the integrity of the competition, provides an entertaining and exciting experience for fans and is economically sustainable. Here are the major points we can share so far:
- Most spectator access will come by way of daily pass purchases. There will be a limited number of full-event passes available, but much of the feedback we have received to date has been that many people only expect to be able to spectate for one weekend day (it’s Mother’s Day weekend…). Also, since Goat Hill Park is open for (ball) golf play on Friday after disc golf, we cannot sell General Admission passes.
- Vending for spectator passes will be handled by the Disc Golf Pro Tour, on their website (www.DGPT.com). We will share the exact URL in advance of sales, and everyone who fills out the Spectator Interest Form on this website will receive advance access to purchase passes.
- There will be different levels of spectator access (with corresponding price points). In discussion currently is a plan with 1) a general admission plan that gives spectators access to the pro shop and vendor booth areas, along with the holes close to the pro shop/tournament central area; 2) a second level that gives spectators access to view several holes on the course, staying on or close to cart paths while viewing; and 3) a “VIP” level that allows spectators to follow a specific card of players around the entire course escorted by a tournament staff member, which may also include a tournament-logo disc.
We are very excited about this upcoming event and we know there is a lot of excitement out in our local disc golf community! It looks like disc golf has turned a corner in terms of the number of people who are playing (just evidence your local course) and the numbers who are watching events on their screens. And the field of players coming to play The Challenge is arguably the best field of disc golfers ever to be assembled for a singles tournament in San Diego County. Along with that, Goat Hill Park provides a great location to watch top-level disc golf, with a long, tough course, great sight lines for spectating, a refreshing ocean breeze and no picnic blankets in the fairways!
Click on this link to get on the Spectator Interest List, and we’ll see you at the Goat!
