Thunder Over Bucharest — Romania's First Ever Disc Golf Tournament

Every sport has its origin story. For competitive disc golf in Romania, it starts here — on a sweltering summer day at Verdi Park in Bucharest, where 17 players gathered to throw plastic, chase birdies, and make history together. Thunder Over Bucharest wasn't just a tournament. It was a statement. A proof of concept. A declaration that disc golf has arrived in Romania and is here to stay.

The Tournament

Played over 18 holes on a single round format, the field of 17 players navigated Verdi Park's layout at an impressive pace, with everyone completing the course in under two hours — no small feat considering the scorching heat that accompanied the day. Disc golf waits for no weather forecast, and neither did our players.

When the dust settled and the scorecards were tallied, it was Bill Rountree who claimed the inaugural Thunder Over Bucharest title with an outstanding -7 — an elite score by any standard, and a worthy result for the champion of Romania's first ever disc golf tournament. Congratulations, Bill! 🏆

CTP and Putting Challenge

The competition didn't stop at the 18th basket. A Closest to the Pin challenge added an extra layer of excitement during the round, with players competing for the chance to win a portable basket — the kind of prize that keeps the disc golf going long after the tournament ends.

And to close out the day in style, a putting challenge pushed players to their limits on the green, with a disc golf bag up for grabs for whoever could hold their nerve. It was Eli Lester who rose to the occasion, sinking the decisive putt to claim the prize. Congratulations, Eli! 🎯

Thank You

None of this would have happened without the extraordinary generosity of Bill Rountree, who not only claimed the top spot on the leaderboard but also sponsored the entire tournament — providing the prizes, the putting challenge bag, and a complimentary disc for every single participant. That kind of investment in a brand new community speaks volumes about the passion that drives disc golf forward in places where it is still finding its feet.

A huge thank you also to Verde Stop Arena for their support in making Romania's first disc golf tournament a reality.

Seventeen players showed up on a hot day in Bucharest and changed the history of disc golf in Romania. Here's to the many tournaments still to come. 🥏🇷🇴