The 2025 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 1st. The Elite+ tournament begins on Thursday, September 4th (MPO/FPO), and the A-Tier begins on Friday, September 5th (Amateurs and Age-Protected divisions). Tournament central is at Kensington Metropark, located at:
4570 Huron River Pkwy
Milford, MI 48380
- Where do I check in?
Upon arriving at Kensington Metropark, please follow the signs and drive to the Toboggan Course. Once you arrive, our parking staff will direct you to park at Toboggan Tournament Central (if you have a VIP pass) or at the Maple Beach lot right across the street from Toboggan. Once you park, make your way to the main parking area and follow the signs where there will be a check-in tent with our spectator coordinator who will get you your tickets. This is where you will pickup your tickets for the event.
- What if I arrive late?
On competition days, which will be Thursday through Sunday, we will be staffing the spectator tent until approximately 430PM each day. Please make plans to arrive before 430PM if you wish to spectate each day. Lead card will tee off sometime between 3PM and 330PM. If you arrive after 430PM, you are free to walk around tournament central with our vendors and visit the hole 1/hole 18 area, but without a ticket you will not be able to enter the course.
- 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 Event Brite.
- Silver Badge - The Silver Pass (formerly Elite VIP) includes free parking and full-access VIP admission to all 4 days of competition. You will receive a Silver Pass badge that gives you access to VIP viewing areas and access to the VIP tent with complimentary snacks & drinks. This Silver Pass also comes with a limited edition DGLO merch item and a one hour Meet N Greet and autograph session with top pros. The Meet N Greet location will be emailed out before the event and two lucky winners amongst the Silver VIP's will receive an exclusive 9 hole practice round during DGLO week with Paul Ulibarri. The Meet n Greet will take place on Wednesday night starting at 5:30 PM. The Silver Pass includes a swag pack from the DGLO team as well as the commemorative pack from the DGPT. A spectator pass for DGLO does not include the Kensington Metro Parks required to enter the park. This pass must be purchased separately.
- VIP – This pass grants spectators access to the entire event for all four days of competition. VIP spectators can follow along with a card throughout the entire round with the exception of a few spots where space is limited. The 4-Day VIP Pass includes free parking and admission for all 4 days of competition . The badge will get you special access to the VIP tent at the event (which will include snacks and soft drinks). Also includes a VIP swag pack from the DGLO event team. A spectator pass for DGLO does not include the Kensington Metro Parks required to enter the park. This pass must be purchased separately.
- Weekly Admission – Good for spectating all 4 days of competition at the event. General admission tickets get access to specific GA zones on the course and tournament central. A spectator pass for DGLO does not include the Kensington Metro Parks required to enter the park. This pass must be purchased separately.
- Daily VIP – The cost for this is $35 per day on Thursday and Friday and $45 per day on Saturday and Sunday. This fee is per person.
- Daily General 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
- Silver Badge - The Silver Pass (formerly Elite VIP) includes free parking and full-access VIP admission to all 4 days of competition. You will receive a Silver Pass badge that gives you access to VIP viewing areas and access to the VIP tent with complimentary snacks & drinks. This Silver Pass also comes with a limited edition DGLO merch item and a one hour Meet N Greet and autograph session with top pros. The Meet N Greet location will be emailed out before the event and two lucky winners amongst the Silver VIP's will receive an exclusive 9 hole practice round during DGLO week with Paul Ulibarri. The Meet n Greet will take place on Wednesday night starting at 5:30 PM. The Silver Pass includes a swag pack from the DGLO team as well as the commemorative pack from the DGPT. A spectator pass for DGLO does not include the Kensington Metro Parks required to enter the park. This pass must be purchased separately.
- VIP – This pass grants spectators access to the entire event for all four days of competition. VIP spectators can follow along with a card throughout the entire round with the exception of a few spots where space is limited. The 4-Day VIP Pass includes free parking and admission for all 4 days of competition . The badge will get you special access to the VIP tent at the event (which will include snacks and soft drinks). Also includes a VIP swag pack from the DGLO event team. A spectator pass for DGLO does not include the Kensington Metro Parks required to enter the park. This pass must be purchased separately.
- Weekly Admission – Good for spectating all 4 days of competition at the event. General admission tickets get access to specific GA zones on the course and tournament central. A spectator pass for DGLO does not include the Kensington Metro Parks required to enter the park. This pass must be purchased separately.
- Daily VIP – The cost for this is $35 per day on Thursday and Friday and $45 per day on Saturday and Sunday. This fee is per person.
- Daily General 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.
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
