The Disc Golf Monkey’s Jungle Run Tour 2023 Recap

(Check the first picture for the DGM Tour 2024 - Big thanks to Jack Lowe our State Coordinator for keeping everything organized)!

2023 is in the books, and it was definitely one to remember. In this 15th consecutive year of running a tour, DGM continues to make memories while pushing the sport forward. “Growing the Sport” is what we have been doing before the saying was adopted. So many players, sponsors, clubs, schools, churches, camps, etc. have been a part of watching the disc golf movement grow in our area, as disc golf has boomed world wide. Today is definitely an exciting time to be involved in the sport we all have come to love.

There is simply no way to give the following group a big enough thanks. Without the DGM tour sponsors, we would not have such an incredibly strong tour, filled with amazing tournaments that is the foundation for all local events. I speak for all players, when I say Thank You to all of DGM’s Tour Sponsors:

Innova Champion Discs, Patriots Gold & Silver, Elephant & Castle Fine Arms, Dynamic Discs, Fossa Disc Golf, Prodigy Discs, Creator Designs, MVP/Axiom Discs, Millennium Golf Discs, Discmania, 8Up, Greazy Dyes, Todd’s Exteriors LLC, Discs Unlimited, Swing Right Golf, Intuitive Body Works & Massage and Sticky Dyes

The above sponsors allow us to do many things: larger payouts, solid players packs, exceptional CTP’s (including manufacture CTP’s from Innova, Dynamic Discs, Prodigy, and MVP), large raffles (that raise money for charities), host demos/clinics, and the list goes on. Having partnerships with quality companies has been key to the success of DGM.

In 2023 DGM was part of 27 tournaments. The main tour consisted of 20+ pdga events. Along with the sanctioned events, there were a few non sanctioned that included two school tournaments. One was at the John Thomas School of Discovery in Nixa and the other was at Grace Classical Academy in Springfield. DGM also helped others host tournaments as well. No matter how small or large the events were, the effort put in to make them happen was well worth it. It’s so awesome seeing and hearing the continued appreciation, excitement, and fun being had by players of all ages and skill levels!

One of the additions to the 2023 was the introduction of the Points Challenge developed and run by Scott Elam. The points challenge featured 4 Divisions, as well as four regions. All players were eligible and there was no cost. Players had to compete in at least one event from 3 of the 4 divisions. Points were given by how the players placed. There was no minimum or maximum events that could be played, but only the best 10 tournament scores were used. Trophies were 3”x2” metal basket pendents with the 1st place being sand casted in pure silver. These were made by Jeff Ford, owner of Patriot’s Gold & Silver. Other prizes are also being given for the top 3 as well. Below are the top 3 point winners in each division. To view full results visit www.discgolfmonkey.com , click on tournaments, and select from the division you want to view on the top. Congratulations again winners.

Pro Men
1 Micah Noble - 675
2 Nevada McAlpin - 549
3 Russ Burns - 535

Women’s
1 Mary Abbott - 603
2 Brandy Monnahan - 524
3 Esmeralda Dodson - 439

Advanced Men
1 Darrin Dodson - 544
2 Johnathan Chambless - 466
3 Brad Hilton - 436

Amateur Men
1 Davis Ford - 514
2 Mike Haralson - 480
3 Justin Warren - 448

This year was exciting as we continued to make baskets, improve corses and install new courses in several cities in two states. We had projects in Arkansas and several here in Missouri. Agee Park in Alba, Transland Trucking in Strafford, Fox Run Greenwood, AR, Laurie at the Hillbilly Disc Golf Course, Dr. Korn in Columbia, Marshfield’s Mother Road, VFW in Monett, all have either upgraded, added to, or have new courses. The excitement of being a part of watching baskets go in the ground never fades

There were a lot of highlights and I definitely want to elaborate on a few. In May, we had another fun end of the year party/tournament at Nixa’s John Thomas School of Discovery headed by Joe Shawnassey and Matt Baker. The Mother Road Open, the first PDGA B Tier was held in Marshfield back in August. In October we did a doubles event with the kids at Grace Classical Academy, where David Hyde and I installed a small 9 hole course. In November the DGM Encore was held at the Tom Wolfe Memorial course at the VFW (installed by Derek Mulvaney). So much can happen in a year and my mind can’t remember them all. It goes without saying that the more courses going in means more players will be playing! We look forward to installing more baskets in the near future.

Since the beginning of the DGM Tours, we have looked for ways to give back to communities who have invested in disc golf. In the fifteen years I am proud to have worked with many charity and non profit organizations. Our local disc golf family has been remarkable at teaming up and coming together when there is a need. Along with helping out multiple organizations, the players supporting the tour, have helped out several of our own in their time in need as well. This year the tour continued to give back in a big way. Seven different charitable organizations were helped with over $10,000 raised. A huge milestone was met as well, as we broke $40,000 in contributions to the EDGE program. To all of you who have been a part of the DGM events, take a bow! On behalf of all the charities and friends that have benefitted over the years, I say thank you so much for making so many things happen in our area through the sport we love so much!

Charity Organizations & Donations from 2023
$800 Ava Ice
$2,600 L Life Food Pantry
$1,400 Disc’n for Cheetahs
$3,010 Educational Disc Golf Experience
$860 K-9’s for Vets
$600 Veterans Foreign Wars
$1300 Children’s Day Treatment (CDT)

DGM has been in business since 1999. In 2007, 16 years ago, I took a scary leap to make DGM my full time gig. I wouldn’t trade a thing, and have very few regrets. Having run 213 PDGA events and countless non sanctioned tournaments, it was quite exciting being told by the PDGA that I am in the top 10 of running the most PDGA events by a Tournament Director. I honestly didn’t even know there was such a list, but it’s definitely a great honor. Without players, sponsors, and family support, I would not have accomplished any of this. Thank you all so much for the opportunity be a part of the Disc Golf Boom over the last 24 years!

As I was reflecting on 2023, I’m humbled and amazed by how much the sport has grown in popularity. I can’t help but think even further back when I came to Missouri back in 1992. Seeing the area go from having one course (Oak Grove), to having so many options in Springfield to play is incredible. Even better, is nearly all the small cities surrounding Springfield have a course as well. It has been fun watching new players start the sport, get involved in local events, improve their skills, and move on to getting sponsored and even touring! Being a part of this is very rewarding. There is truly something special about Disc Golf… gripping, ripping, and watching a disc fly… it doesn’t get much better!

We will see you somewhere in 2024… Keep on Flying… And Aces To You All!