By Charlie Mead · Disc Golf Hall of Famer · INDIGO Foundation
Guest commentary written October 8, 2026. Republished with permission.
Throw Pink Lead Card
Evaliina Salonen
Missy Gannon
Silva Saarinen
Rebecca Don
The false dawn is over. A new day – a new Throw Pink (TP). Those of you that read my pre-competition blog of yesterday know that I made a case for the 25% of the field that are under 19 years of age. Rebecca is one of those. I also predicted that she will win TP this year. I also made a prediction last year which I shared with her parents – and Rebecca – that she would win PDGA Worlds before 2030.
Nothing about today has changed my mind. There is a pattern to Major Disc Golf events that this first round followed. A Major? Yes. TP may be a PDGA sanctioned A tier event – but when Jonathan Poole continues to pair it with USDGC it has all the hallmarks of a significantly important event in the DG calendar. The only factor that would bring doubt to my assertion is that the field is limited in numbers in order to allow TP and USDGC to play on the same course over 4 days.
All the players I have spoken with over the past year talk of TP as an event as important to them as Worlds. As financially important as the US Women’s DGC for sure. The TP winner took home $15K last year. The PDGA US Women’s event winner only had $8,500 to invest.
Given that – today’s field produced. Typical spread of scores, with two clear leaders. One of these will crash and burn in round 3, others will come up in the fast lane and should we get to Sunday and still be playing (weather warning) the winner will not be either of the two leaders today.
There were very healthy scores up to #14 for many players who now sit mid-table. Then Winthrop dealt them the body blows so familiar to many in the past. It snapped back at those who reached the 5 and 6 under par mark (par is 69) – with stuttering finishes and embarrassing melt downs. Tears of joy and desperation were seen from #13 onwards. Media cameramen and the solo camerawoman snapped away as scores fluctuated, balloons burst and hopes of being competitive were dashed completely.
The largest first round gaps in TP history, where the high score made it back into the top ten after 4 rounds was 16 by Paige Pierce in 2024 and 17 by Silva Saarinen in 2023. That is just as well for Silva . She shot -1 and is only 10 shots behind the leaders after the first round today. If she plays as well in rounds 2, 3 and 4 as she did in ’23 she could win.
Holyn Handley shot a course equalling record of -11 that is 58 throws. Twelve birdies and one bogie on #6. That was the 3rd easiest hole on the course today after #12 and #16. Her round included a run of 7 birdies from #9 to #15. Solid par on #16 and birdies on #17 and #18. And that was the difference between her and the pack. The only one to be close was Ohn Scoggins – finishing with a -10. This was not necessarily expected, given Ohn’s current form. She has not met her own expectations at TP in recent years. Apart from 2024 when she came 2nd she has not finished in the top 10 – and was 20th last year. Some retribution is required on #5 for sure – I wont’ forget the 10 and the 8 shots she took on that lake hole last year.
What is going to be needed to win then? Anyone within 13 shots is still in the race – that’s a +2 total. That will be down to 9 shots by the end of Round 2. So who are the favourites to bridge the gap tomorrow? I’ll pick 5 – it will be easier to follow so you can all jeer as I apparently get it wrong again!
There is only one player on +2 – Anneli Tougjas-Manniste. She would be my first pick. A note that there are three of the young stars I focussed on yesterday at +3. I won’t rule them out, Eliezra, Krystyna and Eva, and you won’t either!
At +1 I am going for Sintija Klezberga. The Latvian had four bogies but 2 of them were doubles. She will clean that up on Friday morning.
At Even – Chantel Budinsky. She was 6 under par with four holes to go and dropped all 6 shots – including a 6 on the par 3 #17.
This was also the fate of Rebecca Don – she only had 3 pars in her round and had 9 birdies – her difficulties came from #14 to #18 – where she dropped 5 shots, even with a birdie on #16. Maybe it was a day for the Canadians to feel the pain, so they would experience the intensity of both relief and joy, when they both shoot 6 under par tomorrow – or better.
My final choice is Catrina Allen. Currently tied 6th on 6 under par I expect her to be in the top 3 come lunchtime tomorrow. 10 birdies and 2 double bogies….she won’t be happy. Satisfied, but not hap hap hap hap happy! That is to come.
What of the Champions ? Of Evaliina – of Henna – they will play their game and they will all impact on this event – but today the course hit back late. Holyn and Ohn mastered those last five holes – 9 birdies and one par shared between them. No one else managed to do that. No one can afford to lose focus and concentration when they get to 14. Winthrop will choke the game out of you if you give it a chance – so don’t.
Factual stuff
All the scores are on PDGA Live: Throw Pink, Round 1.
Course records:
58 throws. Evaliina Salonen, Paige Pierce and Holyn Handley.
Charlie Mead · INDIGO Foundation · October 8, 2026
