The Big Rip Classic: How a Homegrown Tournament Helped Disc Golf Boom in Mississippi’s Pine Belt

Ask anyone in the Pine Belt what the first cool snap of November means, and you’ll hear the same thing: it’s Big Rip season. What started as a local labor of love has become one of the Southeast’s marquee disc golf gatherings—bringing together pros, amateurs, families, and first-timers while fueling real growth in courses, events, and outdoor recreation across our region.

From a road-trip idea to Mississippi’s showcase event

The Big Rip Classic began with Spin Crazy, a crew of Pine Belt disc golfers who traveled to tournaments and occasionally hosted their own. In 2016, they launched the inaugural Big Rip Classic at Little Black Creek Campground & Park near Purvis/Lumberton, with Michel Munn serving as Tournament Director. The vision was simple: stage a first-class tournament on world-class Pine Belt courses—and invite the wider disc golf community to experience the area.

Since then, Big Rip has steadily scaled up. By 2020, the event was a PDGA A-Tier, drawing 100s of players across pro and amateur divisions, including juniors. Consistent partnership with lead brands such as Discraft and Ledgestone has helped create an atmosphere that has players coming back again & again.

And the momentum hasn’t slowed. The 10th-anniversary edition in 2025—rebranded as The Climo Open at Big Rip X and part of the DGPT Q-Series—further cements the event’s status on the national calendar. 460+ players makes it the largest disc golf tournament in Mississippi and one of the top 10 biggest by participation in the entire world for 2025.

Top pros Matt Orum, Silas Schultz, and Sullivan Tipton highlight a stacked MPO field, each bringing their own prestige and tournament experience to the 2025 Climo Open at Big Rip X. Orum is a seasoned MPO contender known for his consistency and ability to shine in pressure moments. Schultz has quietly been making waves with steady results in high-stakes tournaments, and Tipton is one of the rising stars on the tour. Adding even more intrigue is Sylus Williams, the reigning Big Rip Champion and former World Junior Champion, who will be defending his title while proving that he can continue to compete with the best.

Courses that put the Pine Belt on the map

The Big Rip leverages a cluster of standout venues within a short drive—an asset that’s rare even in established disc golf hotbeds:

• Little Black Creek (Lumberton): Home to Eagle’s Landing and Eagle’s Nest, with both courses consistently rated among Mississippi’s best and long associated with Big Rip’s showcase rounds.

• Paul B. Johnson State Park (Hattiesburg): A two-course destination featuring Desert Fox and Arctic Fox, giving players 36 holes of varied terrain, water, and multiple tee options—ideal for large, multi-pool events.

  
  

The 2025 schedule spans Flex C-tiers, Glo Doubles, Player's Party, and three championship rounds across these courses, turning the long weekend into a true festival of disc golf (and a perfect excuse to camp, fish, and hang out with friends).

A rising tide for recreation in the Pine Belt

1) More places to play, for more kinds of players.

As Big Rip grew, so did course quality and capacity. Paul B. Johnson’s Arctic Fox underwent upgrades (new baskets, tees, and signage work) in recent seasons, while Desert Fox continues to offer a lakeside layout that challenges every skill level and also had upgrades to baskets, signage, & tees. At Little Black Creek, Eagle’s Landing remains a destination track that draws travelers year-round as one of the most challenging courses in the state. Eagle's Nest is a great companion course and offers a less challenging but equally competitive layout for all players. Together, these improvements make it easier for beginners, juniors, and casual families to get started—and give seasoned players a satisfying challenge close to home.

2) A welcoming on-ramp for new faces.

Big Rip’s format routinely includes divisions for women, masters, and juniors (e.g., FA divisions and MJ18), signaling that everyone has a place on the tee sheet. That inclusivity converts spectators and volunteers into first-time competitors—and first-time competitors into year-round park users.

3) Parks that buzz beyond tournament week.

Both Little Black Creek and Paul B. Johnson market disc golf as a core amenity, alongside camping, cabins, paddling, swimming, and trails. Tournaments introduce visitors to those amenities; the parks earn repeat trips for weekends and holidays; and local families discover affordable, healthy ways to be outside together. That’s the recreation flywheel Big Rip helps spin.

4) A catalyst for regional tourism.

Visit Hattiesburg features the disc golf courses in its destination guides—visibility that wouldn’t exist without signature events drawing regional media and touring pros. Every November, players and their support crews fill cabins and campsites, eat at local restaurants, and explore the area—economic activity that supports our outdoor infrastructure and small businesses.

How Big Rip has grown Mississippi disc golf

• Raised the ceiling for competition. A-Tier status and Q-Series inclusion attract elite fields and media coverage (e.g., Ace Run Productions), inspiring local players and showing juniors what’s possible without leaving the state.

• Professionalized event operations. Dedicated staff, detailed pool/course schedules, and a full slate of side events have set new standards for Mississippi TDs and clubs to emulate.

• Strengthened partnerships. Consistent collaboration with Little Black Creek, Paul B. Johnson State Park, sponsors, and tourism offices has created a model for sustainable growth that other communities in the Southeast can copy.

  
  

The legacy so far—and what’s next

From a grassroots tournament in 2016 to a multi-course, multi-day showcase that anchors the state’s disc golf calendar, the Big Rip Classic has turned the Pine Belt into a true disc golf destination. It’s not just about trophies and highlight reels; it’s about families discovering new parks, juniors finding a lifelong sport, and communities realizing that great recreation can be homegrown.

If you’ve never experienced Big Rip week—whether as a player, volunteer, spectator, or camper—come see why the rest of the Southeast now circles it on the calendar. We’ll save you a spot by the lake.