The 26th Big Bear Classic, one of Canada’s most anticipated disc golf tournaments, returns to Canmore, Alberta on May 30 and 31. About 144 players from across the country will compete at the Canmore Nordic Centre, a venue originally built for the 1988 Winter Olympics. The event, presented by Finnish disc manufacturer Discmania, is sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association and offers both professional and amateur divisions.
This year marks the 26th edition of the tournament, which traces its roots to 1999 and is now the longest-running disc golf event in Alberta. Organizer Matt Riordan of the Alberta Rocky Mountain Disc Golf Association said the event consistently draws top talent because of the unique challenge of the course. Designed in 1995 by Craig Burrows-Johnson, the 18-hole layout winds through former ski trails with sharp elevation changes, tight fairways, and sweeping Rocky Mountain views.
Play begins Saturday morning with a shotgun start format that splits competitors into two pools based on their player ratings. The A Pool, featuring higher-rated players, starts Round 1 at 7:00 a.m., followed by the B Pool at 10:30 a.m. Round 2 starts for the A Pool at 2:00 p.m. and for the B Pool at 5:30 p.m. This system keeps the event running smoothly across the two days on the course at 1988 Olympic Way.
Last year’s tournament drew 144 players and awarded a pro purse of $4,306. Winnipeg’s Erik Wiebe claimed the men’s open title, while Calgary’s Jo Henderson won the women’s open division. Wiebe, a professional with a player rating of 1009, has been a PDGA member since 2020. Both are accomplished players whose return would add further depth to a field that typically includes many of the country’s top-ranked competitors.
The Big Bear Classic is known nationally as a highlight of the Western Canadian disc golf scene. PDGA coverage has called it “a perpetual hot ticket” that delivers “a completely unique disc golfing experience in Canada.” Visitors can enjoy the Nordic Centre’s other facilities and trails during the event. The tournament is a key stop ahead of the 2026 Canadian National Championships, which will be held July 24 to 26 in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
