You might be surprised to know that Disco Golf Wold Championships exist. Screenshot by Gatekeeper MediaSince I graduated college, I haven't even thought about disc golf. I have lost several discs to my partners twice while playing disc golf. I don't like the sport. George, the clip of James Conrad securing a birdie in order to force a playoff gives me hope to go back and try again.AdvertisementHere's a quick background: Conrad is a professional player and has been a member since 2006 of the Pro Disc Golf Association. Conrad's first tournament win was in 2008 at the Sontag Open in Rocky Mount, Virginia. Conrad had never won a disc golf major before Saturday's Disco Golf World Championships. Conrad had been in the top three only once and was in the top 10 two times. Conrad managed to miss the top spot once more.Paul McBeth, Conrad's opponent, is a five-time world champion and looking to win his sixth. McBeth led by one stroke heading into the final hole. Conrad was behind the wall. McBeth's first throw was successful over the water hazards, through the trees and barely within bounds. McBeth was relieved and began to scream in joy. Conrad's first shot wasn't quite as good. Conrad hit a tree, and the disc bounced back to the starting point. Conrad was left on the grass with no clear shot at the hole. Conrad's chances of winning the World Championship were so slim that even the announcers said it was impossible.This would be the shot to win the century.It's going to be a Herculean task.It will take a miracle.These were statements made by Conrads broadcasting team before Conrad's final shot. Keep that in mind. Conrad took his next shot to set him up. He just dropped onto the grass in front to get a better view of the hole. McBeth mistakenly believed he was in the clear and was playing very safe. McBeth was not forcing anything and used his second shot for a possible 4-spot or at worst tie Conrad on the hole. McBeth led by one stroke heading into the final hole and would win first prize.Conrad then set up his third shot. Conrad pulled out his putter disk (yes, it is a thing; gives you more control but doesnt fly nearly as far), and took a deep, exhaling breath. He was now 247 feet away from the hole and all that was left was one shot, and a dream.AdvertisementAmazing. Conrad was able to experience a true Happy Gilmore moment in the immediate aftermath of the shot. Everyone who watched either stood in awe or jumped in excitement with him, or they followed him to the hole just to confirm what they had just seen.McBeth was tied with Conrad at -39 after all the excitement had subsided. This had to be settled in a playoff. Conrad was fortunate that the first playoff hole was one he was familiar with from the 16th hole at Ogden, Utah. Conrad actually scored a hole in one on the same hole earlier in tournament.AdvertisementConrads shot helped McBeth get up and running, even though it wasn't a hole in one. McBeth was unlucky when his disc bounced out-of-bounds. McBeth also missed his next shot, so he had to settle with a 4. Conrad sank the second shot and won the tournament.I'm telling you, disc golf could be the future sport. That tournament had a prize pool of over $173,000. Conrad took home $16,500. Conrad earned $28,778 in total from 15 tournaments. Although it may not seem like much, disc golf is growing rapidly. It was amazing to see how many people were watching the final hole. It was amazing to see how wild the crowd got. It's exciting to see people get excited about this stuff. Conrads shot will only increase interest in the sport. It wouldn't surprise me if Majors for the PDGA are broadcast on major networks in 5-10 years. People will watch if the prize pool is large enough and the sport produces great moments. However, it is unlikely that we will see another Conrads moment anytime soon.
