Professional

Started Disc Golf in 1989

When I was a child (early 1970's) my oldest brother used to throw a frisbee to me along our dead-end road, and he could throw forehand, which I thought was really cool because everyone else threw backhand. So I learned forehand, then I went to the public library and took out a book called "Frisbee by the Masters", and learnt all about different frisbee sports like ulitmate, disc golf, discathon, ddc, freestyle, throw-run-catch, maximum-time-aloft, etc. I started laying out disc golf holes around our neighbourhood and the nearest park... "Around the tree and hit the stop sign", "Through the soccer posts and land it on the merry-go-round." I was instantly hooked by the creativity of creating fun, challenging holes, and the excitement of executing a good shot and watching the frisbee flying the intended route. In the late 80's I went to my first frisbee event and that was the first time I threw a proper golf disc (Lightning's F15 Eagle) into a proper chain basket. Played high-level competitive ultimate in the early 90's, but recurring injuries ended up setting my focus on disc golf... what a blessing in disguise!

Playing doubles at the 2002 PDGA World's in Houston, Texas, with a buddy from Grand Cayman. We were both low rated, but ended up shooting -11, and tied the team of Ken Climo & Barry Schultz, and were only one behind the winners of Mike "Worm" Young and David Greenwell at -12. Second proudest moment was finishing 7th at the 2011 PDGA World's in Santa Cruz. Was on the 2nd card for all rounds, and averaged over 1000 rating for the event.

It's changed so much over the years, probably why my rating has varied so much as well. I used to play LOTS, and throw pretty much every disc in my bag on all holes to see how they fly in all situations... max power, short chips, anhyzers, etc. (I preferred to play solo rounds for this reason). Now that my body is a bit seasoned, and at times plagued with injuries that take forever to heal, I throw less often, and take fewer practice shots... I try to focus on quality rather than quantity. Maybe this will be the decade that I establish a putting routine, and stick to it!!

Don't fall into the trap of throwing the same high-speed distance discs that the pros are throwing thinking that those discs will help you get more distance as well... they won't. Until you develop proper form and power, those discs will only give you grief and frustration. Start with throwing "friendlier" slower speed understable discs and learn to throw them straight. As your throw becomes smoother and stronger, then move into higher speed more stable discs and try to throw them as straight as possible, then move onto the high-speed overstable distance drivers.

Plastic Type: Atomic

Comment: "I love how the Piwakawaka can settle into an anhyzer and glide forever. Great disc for beginners who are learning to throw golf discs, and for pros to hit late turning anhyzers. "