The PDGA Board of Directors and Staff have announced several annual award winners for the 2023 season.

PDGA annual awards are typically announced during the summer following a calendar year, after nomination and selection processes have concluded. The award winners represent not only excellence on and off the disc golf course, they also personify many of the qualities and values championed by the PDGA.

2023 Volunteer of the Year: Maria Luisa Bartolome – Courtesy Photo

2023 Volunteer of the Year: Maria Luisa Bartolome #124255

The Volunteer of the Year is determined by vote of the PDGA Board of Directors. The recipient is an active PDGA member who has proven him or herself worthy of special recognition based upon volunteer work performed for the betterment of the association and the sport of disc golf.

About Maria Luisa Bartolome, one nomination stated in part:

She has been our superstar Country Coordinator for the Philippines since early 2022. During that time she has organized the DGA of the Philippines/National Association, grown courses in the country from one to seven, introduced the game to dozens of local officials and literally thousands of youth and adults across the country, and, reflecting her ability to “make things happen,” received a total of four PDGA grants including both a Marco Polo grand and Diversity/Outreach grant. In short Luisa is an inspiration, an absolute pleasure to work with and support, and an ideal candidate for recognition as PDGA Volunteer of the Year.

Senior Player of the Year – Jim Olsen Sr. Award: Brian Schweberger – PDGA Photo

Senior Player of the Year – Jim Olsen Sr. Award: Brian Schweberger #12989

The Senior Player of the Year is determined by vote of the PDGA Board of Directors. The recipient is an active PDGA member who is 50 years or older and has proven him or herself worthy of recognition based upon stellar play and/or long-term contributions to the sport of disc golf.

One nomination for Brian Schweberger included the following:

Brian Schweberger played in more than 50 events in his first year as a 50-year-old. He won four times in the Open division, never finished outside the top 4 in MP40 in 41 events (including 4 A Tier wins), and was runner up in MP50 at Masters Worlds. Brian is always a pleasure to play with and loves the game more than just anyone I know. 

Additionally, Schweberger himself added, “Let’s see here, 2023 was record breaking year for me, and maybe all time. I played 53 sanctioned events and two unsanctioned. I won 41 of the 53 sanctioned and both of the unsanctioned. I traveled over 27,000 miles, all driving and made over $20K for the first time in my career."

Bob West Memorial Sportsmanship Award: Ohn Scoggins – DGPT Photo

Bob West Memorial Sportsmanship Award: Ohn Scoggins #48976

Sportsmanship is defined as fair and generous behavior or treatment of others, especially in a sports contest. The Bob West Memorial Award for Sportsmanship is awarded annually to a PDGA member who exemplifies sportsmanship on the disc golf course and during competition, observes the rules of play, and wins or loses with grace. Candidates for the award are nominated by the members of the PDGA. The PDGA office will list the nominations received on the ballot to be voted on by 2024 PDGA Premier Pros; State, Province, and Country Coordinators; 2023 PDGA Major, Elite Series and A-tier tournament directors; and the PDGA Board of Directors and staff. 

Scoggins' nomination stated, in part:

Ohn has the ability to influence her whole card for the better. No matter how she herself is playing - she always gives herself grace, carries herself well, and is ALWAYS cheering her card mates on. You can tell she truly loves herself, and therefore loves and cares for others so effortlessly. It would be many women's dream to play a round with Ohn just once. We all have a lot to learn from her - and I am not talking about athletic ability alone - I am also talking about her character. She exemplifies sportsmanship.

Brent Hambrick Tournament Director of the Year: Krissie Fountain and Renae Farr – Courtesy Photos

Brent Hambrick Tournament Director of the Year: Krissie Fountain #73693 and Renae Farr #84208

Tournament directors are the lifeblood of the association and competitive disc golf. They donate hundreds of hours of their time each year to organize and host sanctioned competitions for all of us to compete in. The Brent Hambrick Award for Tournament Director of the Year recognizes a TD who went above and beyond in fulfilling their responsibilities and in hosting successful event(s). Candidates for the award are nominated by PDGA Staff, based on the quality of the event(s) run, the number of events run, the number of players served, and the overall event(s) experience. Voters are the Elite Pros, the State/Province and Country Coordinators, the PDGA Major and National Tour event tournament directors, and the PDGA Board of Directors and staff. A TD may win the Brent Hambrick TD of the Year award multiple times, but they must wait for 3-years between awards.

In 2023, Krissie Fountain and Renae Farr launched a women's only tour in Texas called the Wildflower Disc Golf Tour, along with Stephanie Vincent and Des Reading. Through this tour, they spread awareness and enthusiasm for disc golf to women and girls throughout the state of Texas. 

Fountain is credited with directing 23 sanctioned events, including two B-tiers during 2023. Farr is credited with directing 10 sanctioned events including one A-tier and five B-tiers. Together their impact continues to resonate in the women's disc golf community in one of top states for total PDGA active members.