Throw Down the Mountain is an active disc golf tournament in Brooksville, Florida. Continue reading to learn about the tournament and its rich history, the legendary Gran Canyon Disc Golf Course, how you can watch the event, and how you can participate.

Breaking News: Paul McBeth and Dylan Cease have purchased the property in Brooksville, FL, home to the Gran Canyon Disc Golf Course. Read more below.

About Throw Down the Mountain

Throw Down the Mountain (TDTM) is a disc golf tournament. At the time of writing this article, Sun King Discs is hosting the 11th incarnation of the event (February 27th 2023 through April 2nd 2023). The title sponsor this year is Discraft.

TDTM takes place over a 4-week period. Each week is designed for a different class of skill levels and age groups. Weekend-1 is for our cherished senior-age groups, juniors, and players at the beginner / recreational skill levels. Each subsequent week the course becomes more difficult–the staff modifies the layout–making it more appropriate for each division until the final weekend. Professionals in the MPO (Mixed Professional Open) and FPO (Female Professional Open) divisions play on the final weekend.

Sun King and their entourage of staff and volunteers work tirelessly to make this the premier event in the area. 

Where can I get detailed information about the tournament?

Visit www.throwdownthemountain.com for official information about the event. 

Is the course open to the public?

Yes! Certain days are classified as “open play”. Those are the only days available for the general public to come and play the course or enjoy a day on the beautiful property. Be sure to check the schedule before you come out.

Is the Gran Canyon DGC free to play?

No. Guests pay a parking fee and a greens fee. 

About the Gran Canyon DGC

TDTM is hosted on the Gran Canyon Disc Golf Course (DGC). Sometimes people refer to the course as “The Mountain.”. The Gran Canyon challenges players with dramatic elevation changes, such as throwing down towering 80-foot-tall cliffs and then throwing back up deceptively-high shelves and hills. Low ceilings, rolling hills, rocky paths, and punishing tropical rough increase the difficulty of this course beyond that of a traditional Florida-style disc golf course.

Can I bring my cart or should I use a bag?

The Gran Canyon is not what we would call “cart friendly” but you will see players utilizing their disc golf carts on the course. There are multiple sections of the course where the players will be required to negotiate steep-and-rough paths going up and down. The players that bring their carts are typically people who are comfortable physically picking up and carrying their cart for short distances to help with the steepest parts. For these reasons we recommend players use a bag or something light that they can carry with ease—or bring your caddy!

History of the Event

The Gran Canyon disc golf course has a storied past. It was last used for a tournament in 2006, but in 2008, the property was sold and the baskets were removed. The course was left unused for several years, with rumors swirling about its future.

However, in 2012, Sun King Disc Sports worked tirelessly to convince the owner to allow the course to be revived. It took four years, but their efforts paid off, and the Gran Canyon course was brought back to life.

The course had undergone significant changes during its dormancy, with some areas overgrown and others affected by water and wind erosion. As a result, a modified 18-hole layout was chosen for the revival event, featuring as much of the old course as possible, as well as some areas that had not been used in previous tournaments.

Players were excited to experience the revamped Gran Canyon course, and it quickly became a favorite once again. Today, it remains a beloved part of the disc golf community’s history, thanks to the hard work and dedication of those who worked to bring it back to life.

Coverage of the Event

Over the years the professional weekend of the event has been covered by well-known media companies in the disc golf industry, such as JomezPro and the Disc Golf Guy.

The Disc Golf Guy will be covering the professional weekend in 2023. Make sure to visit his YouTube channel and subscribe. Tell him you were sent there by Sun King. 

Paul McBeth and Dylan Cease announced the purchase of the Gran Canyon Disc Golf course property in Brooksville, FL

“[the Gran Canyon disc golf course] is something that disc golf needs, and disc golf deserves,” said Paul McBeth on Instagram, where he made his original announcement.

McBeth took to Instagram on March 23, 2023 to announce that he and Dylan Cease, a star MLB pitcher for the White Sox and disc golf enthusiast, purchased the property.

What course did Paul McBeth buy in Florida?

He purchased a property in Brooksville, FL that currently features the Gran Canyon Disc Golf Course, also known as: The Mountain, The Canyon, The Canyon, etc … 

Is McBeth changing the name of Throw Down The Mountain Disc Golf Course (The Gran Canyon)?

“We’re looking forward to re-branding [the gran canyon]” said McBeth in his announcement video. No further information is available about that.

What does this disc golf community think of this move?

SunKing Discs is extremely proud of our owner, Mike Barnett, and his ability to produce this incredible outcome. He contacted Paul McBeth, described the scenario to him, and worked tirelessly–at the same time he’s directing the TDTMXI event–to facilitate this deal with McBeth, Cease, and the owners of the property.

“This is really cool,” said Jeremy “Big Jerm” Koling, 2016 USDGC Champion and star commentator for JomezPro. 

“This is huge!” said Discraft, McBeth’s major sponsor. 

Nate Sexton, 2017 USDGC Champion, sponsored by Innova, and commentator for JomezPro and the Disc Golf Network said, “Gonna be great!”

These are just some of the reactions in the last 12 hours since the announcement was made. 

McBeth concluded his announcement by saying, “we’re hoping to have it open to the public, this fall, 2023.”

Next time you’re at The Mountain, or whatever they choose to name it in the future, remember: SunKing Discs was a major part in making this incredible thing happen.

A Day At The Mountain – In Florida

We want to see you at Throw Down the Mountain. Sun King Discs, and its sponsors, work hard to make sure it’s a memorable event for all who attend, not just the players. Shop at the vending stations, grab something to eat at one of the delicious food trucks, support the presenting and secondary sponsors, and of course, meet and watch the best players in the world tackle one of our favorite courses in the country.