North Georgia’s premier disc golf tournament, the 2008 Atlanta Open, will be held the weekend of April 5-6, 2008.  The event, spanning two days and two different courses, will host 90 professional and 72 amateur golfers. 

The Atlanta Open, a US Disc Golf Championship (USDGC) qualifier, is one of only 38 events in the United States to hold Super Tour status for 2008 and is one of only 15 USDGC qualifiers nationally.  Players from at least nine different states, including Virginia, Colorado, Texas, and Missouri, will be attending with several more states expected to be represented before registration ends.

Participants will play 36 holes each day on two very different courses. The professionals will start on Saturday at the East Roswell course, located off Fouts Road in East Roswell Park.  This wooded course is one of the toughest courses of its kind in the Southeast.  Players will be forced to show great accuracy as they navigate the tight woods. Simultaneously, amateurs will play at the Forsyth location.

On Sunday, the groups will switch sites to complete the 72-hole tournament. “The winner of this event will definitely earn it,” explains Rand Eberhard, tournament director, “Playing two such vastly different courses will challenge not only the physical skills, but the mental game as well.  You will need a wide variety of shots to win this one.”

The amateurs will vie for trophies and prizes as well as a coveted spot in the PDGA United States Amateur Disc Golf Championships, located this year in Michigan.  The Atlanta Open is one of only 30 qualifying matches for this elite tournament.  The top 20 percent of the advanced amateur field will qualify to participate in the national championship.

Participants may compete in one of several divisions.  Registration for the Pro Open is $100 and the Pro Masters division is $80. Entry fee for the Pro Grand Masters, the senior’s level, and the Pro Women is $50.  On the amateur side, entry fees range from $60 for Advanced and Advanced Masters, to $45 for Intermediate skill level and both Advanced and Intermediate Women.

Tournament play begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday at both courses.  A players meeting is scheduled 30 minutes prior to each day’s tee time.

Spectators are welcome at both venues and for all tournament events.  There is no admission fee. 

Pre-registration is required.  For more information or to register for the tournament go to www.discgolfatlanta.com or www.theatlopen.com.