30th Quarry Park Open

The 30th Quarry Park Open: A Championship Weekend

The 30th Quarry Park Open took place from August 30th to September 1st, 2024.  For the first time, the tournament was held over three days and with A-tier event status. The goal was to draw top players from across Europe and provide a stepping stone between domestic play and the Disc Golf Pro Tour level, creating a platform for British players to showcase their skills against the best. 

Course Adjustments

Turning Quarry Park into a championship caliber course on its 31-acre required some compromise. The primary goal was to demand a little more variation in shot length from the best players, asking for distance drivers throughout the layout. Par 3s were naturally lengthened, while some par 4s - without space to expand - were shortened to bring them within reach of the best competitors. 

Increasing the strategic complexity of the course was another key consideration. With unbalanced OB structures and challenging drop zones, the course tested players' ability to manage their aggression, a rare but important feature even on the most elite courses.

The iconic hawk's nest was pushed into the higher field and was a highlight of the adjustments. The hole played just 10m longer, but with the increased elevation change, angle control posed a much more significant challenge. 

The result was a par 56 layout with a rating of 997, pushing players to play at their very best.

 My Performance

As always, Quarry Park is a special place for me. It’s where I train and, understandably so, where I play my best golf. The course familiarity helped me stay focused and competitive throughout the tournament.

I started well with a steady 4-under opening round. Three back of Elias Luukkonen, from Finland, in the lead. 

The second saw both of us starting off strong, each of us making birdie on five of the first six holes. The typical scoring stretch of the course has wind as the primary defence, so the idyllic conditions set up for plenty of opportunities. We both played well through the remainder of the course, finishing with 7-under (1058-rated) rounds - tying the course record for the competition layout in its inaugural year. 

Round three started off well, and I had made up all of the deficit early. However  a double bogey on the challenging, new 12th hole, would set me back of the pace. Missed opportunities on the green and Elias's four consecutive birdies stretched the lead further, with the final scores at -17 and -11. 

Falling just short of victory was tough, but the overall quality displayed was a promising sign for next season.

Looking Ahead

The 30th Quarry Park Open required a massive effort from both the QPDGC and course staff. The growth of the event this year has been incredible, and 2025 is set to take that one step further.

I’m eager to see how next season unfolds and can’t wait for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the competition. To stay up to date with announcements, be sure to sign up to the mailing list below.