Spectating at the 2024 Discraft Great Lakes Open

The 2024 Discraft Great Lakes Open will be a great opportunity to spectate and watch some of the best players in the world. The players love spectators and enjoy having an audience. There are a few things to remember when spectating:

• The players take this very seriously - for some players this is their way of making a living. Please be considerate of their needs.
• Do not ask for autographs before or during the round. Please save this for after the round.
• Please try to stay behind the players when they are throwing. Also, if you are in the player's line of sight please be as still as you can. Do not be moving behind the basket when they are putting.
• When the players are preparing to throw, please be quiet.
• Please make sure your cell phones are on silent during the round.
• If a player's disc lands out of bounds do not pick it up for them. Let them get their own disc.

Spectator Guide

Logistics

• Where and when is the Discraft Great Lakes Open?
  Event activities start on Monday September 2nd. The Elite+ tournament begins on Thursday, September 5th (MPO/FPO), and the A-Tier begins on Friday, September 6th (Amateurs and Age-Protected divisions). Tournament central is at Kensington Metropark, located at:
  4570 Huron River Pkwy
  Milford, MI 48380
• Do I need tickets to spectate (and how do I get them)?
  Yes, you need to purchase tickets to spectate. Tickets cover one person and can be purchased on DGScene.
• Meet n Greet Elite VIP Badge - The cost for this is $275 and gets one person free parking and admission during the entire event. Additionally you will receive a VIP pass that gives you access to VIP viewing areas and access to the VIP tents. This Elite VIP badge also comes with a Bushnell Rangefinder, a GRIP6 Belt, a spectator pack and a one hour Meet N Greet/Signing with top professional players. The Meet n Greet will take place on Wednesday night at 6PM, with the location emailed out before the event. Two lucky Elite VIP winners will receive an exclusive 9 hole practice round during DGLO week with Paul Ulibarri. The spectator pack comes with an LE disc, tournament shirt, and a Discraft water bottle!
• VIP – The cost for this is $115 and gets one person free parking and admission during the entire event plus a special badge and Spectator Pack. The badge will get you special access to the VIP tent at the event (which will include snacks and food) and allow access to special VIP viewing areas. The VIP badge will also get you a spectator's pack, which comes with an LE disc, tournament shirt, Discraft water bottle and additional items.
• Weekly Admission – The cost for this is $75 and includes a shirt and a disc.
• Daily Admission – The cost for this is $20 per day on Thursday and Friday and $25 per day on Saturday and Sunday. This fee is per person.
• Where can I park?
  Spectator parking is located at Kensington Metropark in the Maple Beach parking area. Parking is limited. A comprehensive parking map can be found here.
• What's the earliest I can arrive to spectate?
  We ask that you arrive no earlier than 7:30AM to spectate competition days.
• Will there be food/drink nearby?
  Yes! We will have multiple food trucks at Tournament Central. VIP spectators have access to free snacks and drinks at our VIP tents.
• Where is the Pro Shop?
  The Pro Shop operates in Kensington Metropark near the green of hole 18 (tournament central).
• What hotels do you recommend?
  We have partnered with local hotels to give you discounted rates. Those discounted rates can be found exclusively by using our partner booking platform.

Spectating Spots

• Where are the best places on the course to watch the action?
  Toboggan is a fairly open course with the ability to spectate multiple holes at once. Most spectators follow their favorite player throughout the course. A great spot to sit and watch multiple cards play is near hole 1’s tee/18’s green, 16/17 tee area, and 3’s tee.
• What access do VIP's get?
  VIP spectators are offered VIP viewing areas with seats/bleachers in prime locations. Free drinks and snacks are available at the various VIP tents throughout the three courses. The main VIP area is near 18’s basket.
• What can I do between spectating?
  Events are held in a variety of places, with most at Kensington Metropark. The full event schedule can be found here.
• Where should I play disc golf while I'm there?
  As most courses will be in use, please refer to the practice schedule to see what courses are in use that day. Toboggan is restricted during the week leading up to the event. The full course schedule can be found here.
• What are the best restaurants and bars?
  Our favorite bars/wineries are:
  - Draught Horse Brewery
  - Gatsby’s
• Our favorite restaurants are:
  - Holden’s
  - Wixom Station
  - Gatsby’s

Tips, Etiquette, and Rules for Spectators

• What should I bring?
  Prepare for the weather. Sunscreen, bug spray, water, and good walking shoes are essential.
• How can I meet the pros?
  We have a few disc signing events before and during the tournament, in addition to the DGPT autograph tent, which will be available throughout the week. Additionally, Elite VIPs have a scheduled meet and greet with top pros. Please do not ask players for pictures or autographs before or during their round. Most players like to hang around after their round to take pictures and sign autographs. Remember, disc golf is their job, and all players take these events very seriously.
• Can I bring my pets?
  No, please leave your pets at home.
• What etiquette should I know?
  - Overall, just don’t distract the players.
  - Keep quiet from when a player is approaching his or her lie until the throwing motion is complete.
  - Do not move while a player is putting or throwing.
  - Do not leave designated spectator areas.
  - No flash photography.

Accessibility information

• Handicap Placard is required to park in handicap spots unless directly instructed otherwise by Staff
• Toboggan is lined with large, steep hills. Wheelchair access is limited due to large hills and lack of sidewalks. Tournament central is in grass. Handicap parking is limited. The parking staff will direct you to the appropriate handicap spot.

Admission Options

Note: Children 10 and under get in free.

Parking Note: The above admission options are for one person. For example, if 5 people come to the park in one car for the final day of spectating, each person will need to pay $25.

Additional Note: Please note that you will still need a Kensington Metropark pass to enter the Metropark.

Link to discounted hotel rates