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For the return of our Lady of the Month articles we have interviewed 3 powerful women disc golfers from Texas. Stephanie Vincent, Renae Farr and Krissie Fountain have started the first Women’s Disc Golf tour in the state of Texas. Four time world women’s world champion Des Reading is also part of the Wildflower Disc Golf Tour. We hope to catch up with Des for a separate future interview. We find out more about these ladies, and the growth they are forging for women disc golfers in TX and beyond!

When did you first start playing disc golf?

Renae– In 2015. But I played my first tournament in 2016 an all Women’s Disc Golf event (Texas Women’s Championship). That got me hooked into playing disc golf tournaments.

Stephanie- I threw my first disc Feb 2006 at Circle R in Wimberley. My first event was in April 2006 in Round Rock TX. It was a women’s only event called Texas Women’s Championship or TWC. Like Renae, I was hooked, I wanted to play all the time. We are lucky in Central TX to have such a supportive community for female athletes. 

Krissie – I started playing during the summer of 2013. My boyfriend at the time (now husband) had already been playing for a few years and knew of my softball background. He suggested on our 2nd or 3rd date that we go try it out together but he was nervous because he didn’t know what I would think of it. Obviously I fell in love instantly and it is now a huge part of our lives. He didn’t play in tournaments or anything like that so I basically took his fun hobby and cranked up the intensity by quite a few notches! We even got married on a disc golf ranch! 

How did you learn about disc golf?

Renae– I learned from watching my boyfriend Drew and his friends. After just walking as a spectator, I decided to give it a try a year or two later. With my athletic background, I knew I had to play especially when I learned about competitive disc golf like minis and then later, larger tournaments.

Stephanie- My friends in college played and it’s all they would talk about so if I wanted to stay friends I had to learn how to play lol. They already were connected in the community so it was easy to make friends and feel comfortable.  

Krissie – See above 🙂

For someone visiting the general Austin, TX area what are your 3 must play courses?

Renae – Flying Armadillo in San Marcos, Circle C and Roy G

Stephanie- The Ranch in Waelder TX,  Roy G and The Met

Krissie – Moodeys (where I got married), Williamson County DGC, Northtown Disc Golf Course

Why are women’s specific disc golf tournaments and leagues important for women disc golfers?

Renae – It’s important to have women’s specific events because sometimes it’s the only way women get out there. An all women’s event is the entire reason I not only started playing disc golf tournaments, but also signed up as a PDGA  member. The other tournaments were intimidating to me at the time. It’s definitely a way to help build the sport and bring women together to support each other. 

Stephanie- The number one thing I hear women say is “I’m not very good”. We typically play with boyfriends, husbands and groups of guys so it’s hard to have a true gauge of our skill level.  When you bring women together and give them a chance to compete with similar skilled players it changes their outlook on competing, that’s where disc golfers are made.

Krissie – Women’s events are really the only time that we feel like disc golf is tailored to us. At women’s events, there is great attention to detail. It’s finally an event where women are put front and center. Providing a platform for women to feel empowered and confident is an important part of growing our side of the sport.  

What is one tip you would give to a new player for better results when putting?

Renae – Breath. Aim. Focus. Fire. These are the words I tell myself before putting. Most importantly for me is to breathe and focus. I have bad anxiety and a lot of inner head voices but when I remember these two things, I usually do not miss my putts.

 Stephanie- Breathing is so important and definitely underrated. I like to find my stance, get balanced and take a few deep breaths before every putt. Find a routine that works for you and stick with it but it all comes down to practice. 

Krissie – Sound like a broken record here, but breathing. One time my dad (who is an avid ball golfer) was watching me putt (and struggle tremendously) during a tournament. He noticed that I was holding my breath as I was putting and advised me to fire my putt at the end of my exhale. It was a game changer and I’ll never forget that piece of advice. 

Tell us more about Mint Discs please! Which drivers from Mint do you suggest amatuer women disc golfers should try?

Renae – I suggest the Freetail. It’s an understable fairway driver and is easy for anyone to throw. I like to shape shots with the Freetail, especially hyzer flips.

Krissie – Mint is an Austin based company started by three friends, Guy Boyan, Zachery Jansen and Chris Hebert  in 2017. They initially operated out of a garage and started from zero dollars. Their flagship disc is the Alpha, a stable fairway driver that they built an entire fan base around before launching any new molds. In 5 years they have grown tremendously and are releasing some of the highest quality discs on the market. For women I would definitely recommend a Lobster! It is an understandable midrange that glides for days and tends to go as far as several of their fairway drivers!  

Stephanie- I think the perfect set up is a  Jackalope, Mustang and Royal Bullet. My favorites are the Grackle, Diamondback and the Mustang. 

2023 is the first year of the Wildflower Disc Golf tour. Where can people find the tour dates and locations?

www.wfdgt.com or follow our social media pages FB and Insta: Wildflower Disc Golf Tour

What inspired you to start the Wildflower Disc Golf tour?

We ran a very successful Women’s Global Event in May of 2021 and realized that we were a great team. We brought in over 70 women from all parts of Texas.This inspired us to run another all women’s event, The WTF Open (not a part of WGE) in April of 2022 and it was just as successful, plus we had so much fun running it. The WTF Open also brought in over 70 women and this is when we knew there was a bigger interest to have more women’s only events here in Texas. It was also really cool because all three of us were sponsored by the same manufacturer, Mint Discs, so we affectionately started referring to ourselves as The Wolfpack. With the backing of Mint and the support of the surrounding community, we knew we could make a successful tour possible. 

Do you have plans of expanding the Wildflower Disc Golf tour in future years?

Yes, our goal is to expand to other parts of Texas and eventually out of the State as well.

Everything is BIG in Texas! What is the biggest women’s disc golf event that out of state travelers should put on their calendar for this year or upcoming seasons?

The entire Wildflower Disc Golf Tour! But if we had to choose just one event it would definitely be The Capital of Texas Open (Women’s Weekend) in Austin, Texas as we were awarded an A-Tier (one of the only all women’s A Tiers in 2023). And in 2024 we won the bid and we will be hosting the U.S Women’s Disc Golf Championship in Round Rock, Texas!!!

When did you first start playing disc golf?

I grew up in a disc golfing family, my dad started playing in 1975 (throwing at trees and garbage cans in a park in a very shady part of town on the south side of Birmingham, AL) and I was literally born on a disc golf course in Cherry Grove, OR. I started playing seriously in college in 1997, but it wasn’t until 2010 that I joined the PDGA and started competing in sanctioned events.

What are your 3 favorite courses in Oregon?

If you know anything about Oregon disc golf, then you’ve likely heard of Riverbend DGC at Milo McIver State Park, SO, I’m going to give my top three Milo not included, because it’s the default #1.  1. Old Oak Grove DGC at Champoeg State Park. 2. Pier Park in St. Johns 3. McCormick Park in St. Helen’s

If you could throw only anhyzers or hyzers for the rest of your disc golf career which would you choose?

Listen, I just throw straight, okay? Seriously, tho, I’m bad at both of those things, buuuuuut, if I had to pick, anhyzer, as long as it applies to both backhand and forehand because isn’t a forehand anhyzer similar to an anny backhand? I mean, they don’t call me Emma “doesn’t throw hyzer” Hanley for nothing (literally, no one calls me that, but I like to pretend that they do, one time one guy called me that like, 10 years ago).

What is your favorite advice to give to a new disc golfer?

Control before distance! But that’s probably because I don’t throw very far. Also, breathe OUT when you release, putts, drives, upshots, whatever, exhale on your release.

Upshots, putting or driving? Which of these are you most skilled in?

Upshots 💯 I truly don’t have a ton of distance off the tee, I just recently added 15-25 feet onto my drives, and that’s got me capping out at 240-250’ maybe 260’ if its crazy good, but I will generally park any upshot within 10 feet. Well, at least I did when I was in top golf shape. And that’s still the golfer I identify with.

Would more cats on disc golf courses enhance the ambiance of the course?

Listen, you know me and cats. So I want to say yes! But, during the pandemic I’ve become quite the birder, I even have started a lifelong bird list in my Roger Tory Peterson “A Field Guide to Western Birds” book, so I have to acknowledge that cats would really devastate the native bird populations. Who even am I?

If you could have a tee-off song what song would that be?

I’ve actually gotten to play an event where this was a thing (the now-defunct, but still one of the best events ever, Showdown in Shelton) and I chose Family Affair, by Mary J. Bilge one year and And She Was by the Talking Heads the next year. Today, no question, it would be 24 Kt by Bruno Mars #hashtagblessed

What is your favorite snack for the disc golf course?

Cheese, crackers and salamis, and bonus bacon, OBVIOUSLY. But I go all out. Earlier this year I was regularly making bagel sandwiches with cream cheese, fig jam, bacon, and capers. Apple slices. Hi-Chews. CheezIts. I take my snacks very seriously.

If you could have an official beverage of disc golf what would it be?

These are like, the really hard-hitting questions. As a professional mixologist, barista, and craft beer super snob, I’m definitely gonna have to go with WATER. HA! Didn’t see that one coming, didya?

You have recently teamed up with a few prominent disc golf women to start the #respectHERgame movement. People who follow women’s disc golf understand the need for this increased awareness and respect of women disc golfers. What does the #respectHERgame Movement mean to you?

I’ve never felt more at home, more joy, than when I’m on a golf course. My dad wrote me a song called “Golf in the Kingdom” and it’s also a book, about ball golf, but it applies to why we play and the spiritual journey that is a round of golf.

Disc golf is accessible in ways that traditional golf isn’t. Anyone, at any level, can play it and be successful. I want every person in this world to feel at home, the way I do, on a golf course. And unfortunately, women and girls are often looked over and disregarded in sports.

There is work to be done at so many levels, and some of them are really sad and scary and related to women actually being assaulted on disc golf courses. And some are super simple and basic, like welcoming a female player at your local league night as you would any other new player, or not automatically giving advice to a woman because maybe she’s been playing longer and has advice for you, to tournament infrastructure offering bathrooms and women’s appropriate player’s packs, to promoting women in the media based on their athleticism and skills NOT their appearance.

Disc golf is actually well ahead of many sports in showing respect for their women athletes and that’s a very positive and important thing to focus on and highlight and continue to promote. But the reality is, 10 years ago when I was a member of the newly reborn PDGA Women’s Committee, we were at 7% of the total PDGA membership, and I’m pretty sure that that hasn’t actually changed. There’s a reason for that, and I don’t think it’s out of line to suggest it is because women don’t always feel welcome nor supported. If someone says something makes them uncomfortable, listen to them and believe them. Be kind. Be polite. Give women space and a place in your disc golf community.

Learn more about the #respectHERgame movement on the RHG website.

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I met Tina Oakley on the side of a hill during a torrential downpour in Madison, WI at the Elver Disc Golf Course. The date was August 15, 2015, which also was the date that the Ladies First Disc Golf website opened for the first time. We were excited to meet each other since we were both small business owners and originally from Wisconsin. Tina was at the beginning of her life on tour in 2015 and has since expanded her disc golf adventures on the road with her husband Eric. She is the owner of Whale Sacs which are handmade whale-shaped sacs to keep your hands dry. Tina is a sponsored member of the following teams Dynamic Discs and Birdie Fuel Coffee. 

What was your disc golf turning point?

I was living in Portland, OR only for a short time when the 2014 Disc Golf World Championships came through. I was watching the FPO women play disc golf on my local courses while I was at work (at a bank, on my phone on Youtube) and desperately wanted to be doing the same thing- traveling and playing disc golf every day.  After some financial planning (and working extra hard) I figured out how to pay off my debt, buy an RV, and hit the road as an amateur disc golfer. This all happened because of Catrina Allen, Paige Pierce, Ragna Bygde & Ohn Scoggins, all of whom I’ve now played with or call a friend. Looking back, 2014 Tina was soooo excited to be able to watch those women play amazing golf, I don’t know if my life path would have been the same without Portland Worlds.

 

What is the best thing about being on tour as a professional disc golfer in your RV?

I’d probably have to say the adventures and natural beauties that are experienced because of traveling and that generally also includes adventures with my friends. I LOVE disc golf of course and being able to play in every state or other countries is amazing, but my favorite thing about being at those new courses is usually the scenery, the adventure leading up to those courses, and the beauty in between tournaments.

 

What is the worst thing about being on a tour as a professional disc golfer in your RV? 

 The worst thing is probably the lack of consistency. Routines are extremely hard to come by on tour. The tournament days are all different, where we stay every weekend is different so some things are available one week and not the next (laundry, showers, gyms, friends) so it’s hard to make a schedule. Plus part of the perk of our lives is we don’t HAVE a set schedule so I’m reluctant to make TOO much structure because then I’ll miss out on the fun spontaneous things too like a hike or waterfall trip or breakfast invite, etc. because of a made-up schedule. Maybe that sounds silly but some months just remembering to wash my face before bed (or being able to) is impossible.

Do you have any hobbies outside of disc golf?

So many, how much time do you have?  My grandparents and dad are extremely creative, do it yourself type people and I am no exception. I LOVE working with my hands and don’t really enjoy NOT doing anything. Even when I’m at the beach, I’m still picking shells and making castles, not just laying in the sand. I garden (now that we own a house) which is something Jenny and I get to talk about! I have been making epoxy minis and rings, I like board games, movies, sewing, creating furniture now that we have a house or remodeling and some Pinterest projects for decorating. A lot of you probably know I make videos for my YouTube and for Dynamic Discs as well. You name it, I either do it or want to do it.

If you could have anyone in the whole world as your doubles partner who would you choose? 

Erika Stinchcomb. She’s my favorite disc golf partner!

 You have traveled to many courses while on tour. What is a course you haven’t played yet that you would like to? 

Flip City in Michigan. It’s one I’d heard about back when I was still tracking all my courses played on dgcoursereview and still haven’t gotten to!

You’re a Wisconsin girl too! What is one thing you miss about Wisconsin? 

Other than spotted cow or my family?! Maybe the familiarity of a place that I spent so much time in? I miss knowing where roads lead without a GPS and knowing where certain stores, friends and favorite parks are. I do NOT miss the winters, the summer bugs seem to be about the same here in Florida, but I guess I could say I miss the first snowfall, that is a magical time…but only the first one. ;p

Were other animals considered when you started Whale Sacs? Or were Whales the number 1 choice from the get-go? 

Whales 100%. I did make one that accidentally looked like a rabbit but I wasn’t trying. 

 

If you could have an official beverage of disc golf what would it be?

Can I be boring and say water? I am a different person when I remember to stay hydrated. I play better, focus better, and more important my body feels better and performs better!

You jumped right into tour life shortly after playing disc golf competitively. Do you have any advice for people who are thinking of going on tour full or part-time? 

Just DO it. What I learned was there will always be excuses not to do something and always reasons not to but it’s the people that took a risk despite not being 100% comfortable. They are the ones living their dreams and doing big things. If touring is your dream, DO IT, even if that means just for a month as a test run or maybe even plan a year, whatever looks like, you can always go back to normal life if it doesn’t work out.

Follow and Support  Tina:

Whale Sacs Facebook

WhalePants Facebook

Instagram

WhalePants YouTube

www.whalesacs.com

Are you interested in being featured as Lady of the Month?

We would love to help tell your disc golf story! Whether you an experienced disc golfer with stories to tell or a new disc golfer bursting with excitement we would love to feature you! Fill out  Lady of the Month application here

When did you first start playing disc golf? How did you get interested in the sport?

I first played disc golf back in Colorado in the mid-90’s when a friend took several of us out and just let us borrow his discs. I played in Keen sandals with a disc in one hand and a Fat Tire in the other. It was just a fun day out in the sun.

I didn’t get my own disc and start playing regularly until 2000 when the Park & Rec Dept I worked for put in an 11-hole course. I thought since I was a Rec/Wellness Coordinator I should get to know the sport so I could be a resource to the community about the new amenity.

Being a former Jr High/HS athlete, I was instantly addicted to figuring out the technique and the challenge of getting that silly frisbee in the basket. That addiction and love of the sport led to running junior leagues, youth & adult clinics, course work & design, and planning & coordination of the 2009 USWDGC in the Quad Cities. During that time I played competitively and won USWDGC in the Intermediate division and tied for 2nd in Advanced another year, turned pro, loved disc golf, hated disc golf, loved it again, and the best part is I met some amazing women who are now life long friends. I heart disc golf!

If you could only play with 3 discs for the rest of your disc golf career, which 3 would they be?

Jade, Buzz, and Envy. I can shape each of those discs to do what I want, and have a lot of trust in those.

If you could have anyone in the world as your doubles partner, who would you choose?

My first choice would be my Bestie and doubles partner of 18 years, Kathy Betcher (Team Red Hot, Team Hot Stuff forever!).

My 2nd choice would be my “adopted daughter”, Vanessa Van Dyken because she is a badass disc golfer and an amazing human being.

What is the best way to get more women playing disc golf?

Oh my gosh, if I had the perfect answer we would be way more than 8% of the sport. Mind you, 20 years ago we were 7% of the sport.  Even though we have a lot more women playing in general, overall we are still just a small part.

 

I think over the past decade we have really seen an increase in women due to so many women’s leagues, women’s only tournaments, mixed doubles events, and the Women’s Global. In all honesty, I think the 2020’s might need to be the decade of “retainage”. Or what we can do to KEEP all these women discers in the sport. Maybe we need to ask that question now and start moving in that direction. This will be my 20th year in the sport, and there are so many people I know who are not playing anymore. Let’s find out how to keep them.

You have traveled throughout the US to play disc golf. What courses are you most eager to go back and play?

My favorite course to play and return to every other year is the temp course at Purple Park in Superior, Colorado for the Rocky Mountain Women’s Championships. It is a stunning park and the layout is challenging yet enjoyable with birdie opportunities.

What is your best tip for someone playing in their first tournament?

You’re going to be nervous; try to relax, don’t set too many expectations, have fun, and ask a lot of questions. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you have questions on rules/procedures. We were all a newbie at one point, and 99% of players will be kind and helpful.

Do you attend any women-only disc golf events? If so, what are your favorite women’s only events to attend?

I love to play women’s only events! They are like music festival environments, and the course layouts are friendly & fun. My favs are the Wisco Disco in Wisconsin, Diva Spring Feeva in Kansas City, and the Rocky Mtn Women’s Championships in Colorado.

Do you have any dream or destination courses/countries you would like to play disc golf in the future?

I would love to play in Finland, especially The Beast. I am hoping to hit the WGE in Hawaii or the USWDGC in California this year.  So one of those will be crossed off the list.

If you could have an official beer of disc golf what would it be? 

It would have to be a beer from Bevel Craft Brewing, like Iron Leaf DIPA (thank you Gregg Barsby for sharing) or their First Run IPA.

You have been playing disc golf for 20 years! Your cool, calm and kind demeanor on and off the course makes you a great card mate and competitor.  What are your keys to longevity in being active in participating in disc golf? Any tips for people who are looking for lost motivation to continue playing and/or competing?

I believe everyone joins and plays the sport for different reasons. And I can’t tell you how many times I threatened to quit the sport. But here is what I remember: I play because I crave the competitive juices from my youth; I play to be outdoors in nature all day; I play for the social aspect with so many amazing friends; I play because ultimately we are all a part of the heart of disc golf–the LOVE. When you are feeling like you want to quit, you have had enough of the sport, just go back and remember what you love about disc golf.