GEM STATE DISC GOLF CLUB
Winter is Heating Up: Road to the Finals
With 7 out of 10 events complete, the 31st Annual GSDGC Winter Series has officially reached the phase where the standings stop being comfortable.
The format guarantees it:
-
Best 5 rounds from the first 9 events count
-
The final event is worth double points
-
Five total events minimum (including the final) are required for trophy eligibility
That means the leaderboard you see today is not the leaderboard that will decide the season. Strong early performances have built foundations — but the remaining events will reward players who peak at exactly the right time.
Let’s take a closer look at the divisions where the title race is tightening and the players lurking just behind the leaders.
🏆 MPO: The Leader Has Company - and Pressure
At the top of Mixed Pro Open, Robert Carlson has been the model of consistency. But with multiple players within striking distance and a double-points final looming, “safe” may not be enough.
This division feels primed for a late-season swing:
-
Leaders must manage risk
-
Chasers can’t afford hesitation
-
And one standout final round could erase weeks of separation from the rest of the field
Players to Watch Beyond the Podium
-
Jacob Howe — Not currently in the top three, but with a history of strong finishes that make him a real threat if he strings together two clean rounds.
-
Darin Alexander — Has already shown he can podium; the question is whether he can time it right when the points matter most.
MPO is shaping up as a division where experience, nerves, and timing may matter more than raw scoring average.
⚔️ MA2: A Margin Measured in Putts
If you want pure leaderboard tension, MA2 delivers.
Just five points separate first and second, with third close enough to capitalize on any mistakes at the top. At this point in the season:
-
A tie, instead of a solo finish, can swing the standings.
-
Replacing a single weaker round could be decisive.
-
The double-points final looms like a loaded dice roll.
Players to Watch Beyond the Podium
-
Anthony Hernandez — Currently outside the top two, but with podium finishes already on the resume. If one of the leaders stumbles, Hernandez is perfectly positioned to pounce.
-
Any MA2 player sitting just outside the top five — this is the division where someone may not realize they’re in contention until the math is done.
MA2 may come down to who handles the final knowing they’re one mistake from everything changing.
🧊 MA40: Three at the Top - But the Door Is Open
Few divisions illustrate the cliffhanger of Winter Series format better than MA40.
The top three players are separated by just ten points total — effectively nothing with two events and a double-points final remaining. Every stroke from here on out matters.
This division has been defined by consistency so far, but the final stretch may demand something more aggressive.
Players to Watch Beyond the Podium
-
Players with one podium and one weaker round — MA40 has several competitors who could replace an early low score with a strong late finish.
-
Anyone within ~30 points — in this division, that gap is absolutely attackable with one great day.
Expect MA40 to remain undecided until the very last scorecard is turned in.
🔍 Tight Races Flying Under the Radar
Several divisions we haven't looked at are quietly setting up for late drama:
-
MP40 — With a razor-thin margin at the top, this division has “final-round flip” written all over it.
-
MA50 — Experience-heavy and incredibly close, where smart play and course management could decide the season.
-
FA4 — One of the tightest leaderboards in the entire series, where consistent podium presence means the final could completely reshuffle the standings.
These divisions may not grab headlines now — but don’t be surprised if they produce some of the most intense finishes.
❄️ Why This Stretch Matters
We have reached the belly of the Winter Series beast.
Early events reward commitment.
Mid-season events reward consistency.
Late events reward courage.
Some players will defend.
Some will chase.
Some will make a move that no one saw coming.
With cold air, high stakes, and double points on the line for the final event, the remaining weeks of the GSDGC Winter Series promise drama worthy of its 31-year legacy.
Nothing is settled.
Everything is in play.
If you have enjoyed the 31st edition of the GSDGC Winter Series, consider becoming a member and join us for our summer leagues, starting in April.
Check out the full leaderboards here.
See you on the course. 🥏❄️