Transgender athletes win thousands of dollars at women’s disc golf championships

At least five transgender athletes competed in the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) Women’s Championships June 19-22, winning $4,590 in prize money that otherwise would have gone to women.

Nova Politte, a trans-identified male, won the Women’s 55+ Pro division and received $2,050, according to Reduxx.

It marked the transgender athlete’s third major title while competing against women. Politte previously won the Female Pro 50+ Masters World Championship in 2021 and 2022 despite previously playing in male and open divisions.

Politte’s romantic partner, Kimberly Giannola, another transgender athlete, placed second in the Women’s 50+ division, winning $1,100. Giannola competed in six women’s events this year alone and collected $2,076, the report said.

Additionally, Natalie Ryan, a trans competitor, finished 20th in the Women’s Pro Open but still earned $1,440.

Ryan has entered seven women’s tournaments this year. The competitor has reportedly taken home over $40,000 in total prize money since 2019. 

Ryan sued the PDGA after a 2023 rule revision required trans-identifying males to begin transitioning before puberty and maintain testosterone levels below 2.0 nmol/L. The PDGA backed down after judges in two states ruled against the policy. 

“I’m excited to announce that the PDGA, DGPT, and I have reached an agreement,” Ryan wrote on Instagram. “All trans women will be equals at the elite level again. This is my victory. I had to be ruthless to get them to listen. I’m glad I can put that side of myself away. Now, I am hopeful that our sport can start fresh and grow to be a place that truly welcomes and celebrates everyone.” 

Amanda Branch and Ember Simonis also competed in the June tournament but didn’t finish high enough to earn prize money. Branch, who administers hormones rectally, according to the report, previously recorded himself berating a PDGA staffer over the now-rescinded transgender policy the league tried implementing in 2023. 

Top women in the sport have spoken out against males competing against women. 

Kristin Lätt has lost events to Ryan and believes biological males should only compete against other males. 

“In sports, it’s obvious to me why there are two divisions,” she said in 2023. “We are designed differently. I think women should be in their own category. I want us all to be happy and to be able to play disc golf in fair conditions.” 

Additionally, fellow women’s competitor Catrina Allen called the association’s decision “an absolute blow to women’s sports.” 

“It is an act of biology that being born with male biology, going through male puberty, and experiencing male levels of testosterone conveys enormous performance advantages,” she said. “Elite sport for those of us born biological females cannot exist without eligibility standards that consider these basic biological facts.”