Disc golfers in Western New York have been treated to unseasonably warm temperatures through the first week of November, but this past weekend it was 5 B-LO at Pinewoods. Indeed, the frozen four-disc challenge league is officially back for its second year of action! Players will once again have an opportunity to stay “warm” through the off-season by honing in their mid-range and putter skills at the Pinewoods Country Club. I caught up with league director Joe Hammerschmidt to learn more about what players can expect from this year’s iteration of this unique, seasonal challenge league.
5 B-LO at Pinewoods sets itself apart from other leagues by limiting the options in player’s bags in a way that’s perfect for winter disc golf - restricting competitors to what Hammerschmidt suggests are “some of the most important tools in your disc golf bag,” putters and mid ranges. According to the 5 B-LO rules, players are permitted to use only four discs in each round, all of which must be five speed or below. Any combination of four discs is acceptable, as long as each disc satisfies this restriction. For most players, a 5 B-LO bag is some combination of throwing putter, putting putter, and midranges of varying stability.
Crafting a bag according to these requirements is one of the defining characteristics of this challenge league, as players are forced to think critically about what types of tools they need to navigate the track and which specific discs they want to compete with each round. A limited bag means that over the course of an eight week league, players have the chance to become intimately familiar with a set of discs in a way they might not if they brought their entire bag to practice. With an average hole length of around 200 feet, Pinewoods is the perfect setting to work on the essential skills of approaching the basket and putting under pressure. Throughout the next two months, 5 B-LO provides local disc golfers an unmistakably Western New York way to do just that.
Interested in participating? Here’s what you need to know:
The league runs for eight weeks starting November 12th and each league match is a stand-alone stroke play event. Entry is $10 per player and is cash only. This entry fee covers everything including payouts, ace pool, CTP (closest to pin) prizes and WNYDGC insurance. Check in is from 9:00 - 9:30 am at the center pavilion. This year, players will be divided into three divisions, A Pool (850 rated and above), B Pool (849 rated and below), and a brand new women’s division. Additionally, Hammerschmidt is excited to announce that Scott Sherwood and Will Quinn, of Disc Golf 716 and Team Spartan Discs, will be joining league management as co-directors. For more information and weekly updates, please visit the league Facebook page here.
Weekly League Results:
Week 1 [11/12/22]:
A Pool Champion: Jacob Root (42)
B Pool Champion: Colin Archibald (49)
Women’s Champion: Ece Gundogan (56)
Ace Pool: Ian Murphy (Hole 10)
