Blog - Ladies First

July 2017 Lady of the Month: Virginia Hawthorne

Posted on July 21, 2017 by Ladies First

How did you first hear about disc golf, when did you start playing?

I first heard about it from a friend’s boyfriend and thought it was absolutely insane and pointless. Then five years ago (this month actually, happy anniversary) I met my dude and he played. I wanted to hang out with him so badly all the time so when he suggested it I thought it was a great idea all of a sudden. It then took me about a year and a half after that to get serious about it. I really used to be bad at it for a long time and still don’t know why I kept playing. Anyway, I played in an Ice Bowl with my future really good friend Cheryln Rawls. She is really good! And I was like well crap! I don’t have to suck because I am a woman. I figured I should step my game up a bit so I wasn’t embarrassed to play against her. I still haven’t beaten her, but have gotten pretty close, as long as she is distracted by pushing her extraordinarily well-behaved daughter in a stroller.

Do you think chickens should be allowed on the disc golf courses?

Of course. They are amazing tick control! There are very few downsides to chickens in any setting, in my opinion.

What are your three favorite things about disc golf?

1. Walking in nature. It is amazing sneaky exercise.

2. Friendships, both on social media and locally.

3. The feeling of improvement. I still feel very far away from my true potential in the sport. (Don’t look at my rating to confirm this fact.)

What are your three favorite courses in Kentucky?

1. Stuart Nelson Disc Golf Course. *The Home Course* one of the harder courses in our area but you always run into a friendly face.

2. Kess Creek in Mayfield. Pretty good for beginners but also has some good wooded technical holes.

3. Central Park DGC in Murray KY. Ok so, my last tournament I played a pretty good round and a horrible round here but I have to shout this one out because they just added 9 holes that reportedly make it even harder. So thanks a lot, guys.

Honorable mention: Fort Massac. Technically in Metropolis, Illinois but right across the mighty Ohio. Won my first tournament there and also is just a beautiful, hard course.

Forehand or Backhand?

Backhand only. I wish I could flick a little to get out of all the abovementioned woods though!

What is your favorite driver, midrange and putter?

Driver: Pink metal flake Roadrunner, but going more toward a Westside Queen as I have started throwing faster.

Midrange: Buzzz or Emac Truth depending on the shot.

Putter: Pink Wizards.

If you could have any female disc golfer as your partner for a doubles tournament who would you choose?

Val! She is my favorite player. She is so good and has done so much for the women of the sport. She seems so nice and cool also. I am a serious Valarie fangirl. I hope she doesn’t read this and think I am weird. Man, the likelihood she is going to read this is really high! Holy crap. Um. Hi Val. Love you. (Was that weird?)

What is one tip you would give to a player who is just starting to play disc golf?

I used to throw behind myself. Keep at it, and even if you are terrible, you are still getting a good walk in the woods.

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

Honestly I am probably the world’s least picky beer drinker. Having said that, my favorite disc golf beer is Abita Strawberry lager, perfect for a nice warm summer day at the course.

You recently ran your 3rd Throw Pink Paducah tournament and it was another successful event, congrats! Why should more clubs and tournament directors try to run at least one fundraiser event a year and why should players support these events?

One of the top reasons I love fundraiser events, Throw Pink especially, is that they really help get women involved in disc golf. Throw Pink fundraisers are such a good way to draw out those beginner and casual women players and get them feeling connected to the disc golf community at large. The other big reason to throw fundraiser events on a club level is the dramatic way they impact your community relations. It is the best opportunity you have for getting disc golf publicized in local media. You can build long-term relationships with local businesses. And lastly, fundraisers are a great way to connect your club to your parks department.

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April 2017 Lady of the Month: Eleanor Poore

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Ladies First

Who introduced you to disc golf and how long have you been playing?

On September 20, 2013 my friend Tucker and my mom finally convinced me to try disc golf. Tucker was an ultimate Frisbee friend of mine who slowly but surely convinced most of our ultimate pickup group to try disc golf. It was love at first throw, despite my judgments that the sport would be boring

Eleanor & her mom on the course

Backhand or forehand?
Since I came from ultimate Frisbee, I feel pretty equally comfortable with both backhand and forehand.

The New England Team Challenge is a growing event out in your neck of the woods (no pun intended;)) do you participate in the team challenge? If so what team? What is your favorite part about the team challenge?

New England Team Challenge is so amazing! I am on the Borderland Billygoats and we actually won our division this year, the C-pool champions of the 2016-2017 season!! My favorite part is definitely the camaraderie and friendship you can build with playing in a team setting, which I hadn’t gotten as much from team sports in the past as I’ve gotten through New England Team Challenge.

If you could have an official tee off song what would it be?

Well for GBO next week, I chose “Float On” by Modest Mouse. It has a good beginning riff and a good message for my mental game.

Every bunny wants to know why bunnies make the best pets?

Hahaha Bunnies make the best pets because they have a lot more personality than most people think. They can be sassy, sweet, energetic, curious etc. Enys is really spunky yet affectionate, will lick my nose and dig at my pant legs at any moment. Penelope is very curious and sweet, has opened up a lot more over the past 2 years and gotten braver. They are inseparable too, which is really sweet to see, but they get overly excited for breakfast every morning.

If you could play with only 3 discs for the rest of your disc golf career what 3 discs would you choose?

This is probably the toughest question. Based on what I throw now and being able to have versatile options, I would pick the Westside BT Soft Swan, Dynamic Discs Fuzion Evidence, and the Westside Tournament Northman. I’m on team trilogy so of course it’s all Swedish plastic

You were one of our first customers when we launched our website in 2015, thank you. What is your favorite thing you have ordered from Ladies First Disc Golf?

Another tough question!! The original very soft purple t-shirt is incredibly comfortable and I wear it all the time, so I’d have to pick that.

Would you rather play in 25 degree snowy sunny conditions or 85 degree hot & humid conditions?

I would probably rather play in 85 degrees even if it’s humid, but I’m sure I would say the opposite in late summer

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

I personally enjoy lighter wheat beers so I would choose Alagash White. Easy to drink on hot days and very refreshing!

You have recently started do some cool things with dying discs. May we see some examples? If someone wanted a dyed disc by Eleanor do you have them for sale or do custom dyes?

I post most of my disc dyes on Instagram (@eleanor_discbunny) and tag them all with #DyesByEleanor. Right now, I dye periodically for a local shop, The Hawks Nest, here in Massachusetts but I am always open to commissions. Sometimes people mail me discs they have an I mail them back after dyeing them. So far, it hasn’t gotten big enough to warrant creating my own stock so I usually do custom orders. It’s definitely something that is very fun for me to bring two of my hobbies together, art and disc golf.

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March 2017 Lady of the Month: Jenn Schopfer

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Ladies First

Let’s take a walk down memory lane, what do you remember most about your first round of disc golf? Who were you with and where did you play your first round?

I was first exposed to disc golf in 2005, my friends and I used to go to a small 9 hole course that was in our neighborhood. I tried it out a couple of times, but never really played a full round. But my first ever REAL round would have to be when I bought my first set of discs in 2013, at the Delaveaga Pro Shop. My friends and I had made the trip to play Dela, but I didn’t have any of my own discs at the time, so I decided that I need to get my own (just in case I lost any of theirs). I bought a Reef, Skeeter, Sidewinder, & a Leopard. I survived all 27 holes without losing any of the 4 discs I had just purchased, sooo…I’d say it was a pretty successful first round. The Leopard is still in my bag to this day, however the rest have been sacrificed to courses all around California.

What are your 3 favorite courses in California?

Black Mouse in Felton, CA

Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA

Photo courtesy DG Course Review

Bijou Community Park in South Lake Tahoe

Photo Courtesy DG Course Review

In 2016 you made it to #1 on the wait list for Am Worlds, are you going to try to play again this year in Quad Cities, IA?

As of right now I am going to try to make it out to Am Worlds. I am graduating college here in 8 weeks, and plan to be attending a lot more tournaments starting in June.

Which dairy state is superior in terms of cheese products: California or Wisconsin?

Jenny, why must you make me choose! They both have their positives, but at the end of the day…who can say no to Wisconsin Cheese Curds! I left a little bit of my heart in Wisconsin this past summer.

If you could play in a doubles tournament and choose any partner in the whole world who would you choose?

That’s a tough one…

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

Well now that’s an easy on…my favorite beer, of course. The Deschutes Chainbreaker, White IPA. The name alone makes it ready to be an official beer of disc golf.

What is your favorite bag from Upper Park Designs? Is there a bag that you would suggest for female players?

I absolutely love The Shift by Upper Park Designs. I recommend The Shift to any and all female players, if I get the chance. It still has plenty of room to carry 15+ discs, snacks, clothes, etc. But it’s significantly smaller on the back than The Rebel, and I find it easier to carry around during my tournament play.

Use coupon code JENN on Upper Park’s website to get 10% off

What song describes your disc golf game?

One of my favorite warm up song is “The Heat by Jungle”, it has a funky beat, and always puts me in a good mood.

If you could only throw hyzers or anhyzers for the rest of your life which shot would you choose?

Anhyzers.

You have competed in the National Collegiate Disc Golf Championships in 2015 & 2016 what is your favorite part of that event?

I love the team aspect of disc golf, I grew up playing team sports so being able to compete as a team is fun, and totally different than competing as an individual in Disc Golf. This event shows how knowing your teammates, and what’s in their bags is important. I personally feel that this is a great way to grow Women’s Disc Golf at a college level. We have 2 veterans going this year, myself and Bayli. Then we have 2 new girls who just started playing in January that are joining us. We are heading out to Georgia/South Carolina in just a couple weeks to defend our National Title, and hopefully bring home our 3rd consecutive win!

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Posted on February 24, 2017 by Ladies First

At a disc golf tournament you can connect with your friends, nature and of course your disc to the basket. Often tournaments can feel like a family reunion seeing old friends who are like family members, the older and wiser player who is like your mom or dad, and we can’t forget that crazy uncle that everyone loves, but knows is a bit in his own world. At my family reunions and parties there is one thing that is always present: food.

Playing disc golf burns calories, requires energy, therefore avoiding that dreadful tummy growl is always a great way to stay focused for the entire tournament. Staying sustained through the round is critical but starting out the day with a healthy meal the night before and a healthy breakfast is often even more important to good sustained energy and focus. In order to last the duration of the party you must be prepared. We are starting a new series on our blog where we will feature a recipe each month that is a healthy snack for on the course, a healthy & convenient breakfast to start the day off or a healthy easy dinner to eat the night before competition.

To kick off the tournament season for 2017 let’s start with a favorite snack recipe that I learned from my husband’s grandma: Party Mix

I’m Jenny and I like to party. Well yes, that is true I sure do enjoy a good party, and it is always better with good food!

As I get older disc golf is my party life; nothing better than spending a beautiful sunny day in nature while navigating plastic discs through the woods. If half way through my adventure in woods I start to get hungry I often lose focus and pick up a few extra strokes I don’t want. A good snack to have on hand is Party Mix. This snack is like chex mix, but when making it at home it has less preservatives, and a more fresh taste to it. It’s pretty easy to make, the assembly is definitely easy, it takes longer to bake it than it does to prep it, let’s get to it:

1.) Preheat oven to 250 degrees

2.) Gather your ingredients

6 tblsp butter ( I like to use organic salted butter, it doesn’t have to be organic but good quality butter is recommended)
4 tsp Worcestershire
1 tsp garlic salt
3 cups rice chex
3 cups corn chex
1 cup pretzles
3/4 cup mixed nuts

3.) Start by melting your butter in a microwave safe dish (about 30 seconds). Once your butter is melted stir your Worcestershire sauce and garlic salt in with the butter.

4.) Find the largest bowl you have and add the chex, pretzels and mixed nuts to it. I like to shake the bowl around so that all the ingredients get mixed up pretty good. Once your dry ingredients have partied together pretty well, add your saucy butter mix and continue to party by shaking it up again. Stir, and shake until all pieces are well coated.

5.) If you have a large flat pizza pan, or cookie sheet locate those items. You are going to be pouring your party mix onto your pans to bake in the oven for 45 minutes, you want to make sure it is spread out into a single layer, you may need multiple pans. Spread your party mix out among a large pan or multiple pans.

6.) Place pans in preheated 250 degree oven for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes stir pieces to ensure even baking, place back in oven. Repeat this step 2 more times, at 15 minutes intervals stir your party mix.

February 2017 Lady of the Month: Kristy Moore

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Ladies First

When was the first time you picked up a disc, and who were you with?

I first played the sport in 2003. A group of friends were making a trip from our hometown, Columbus, Ohio to Clearwater, Florida specifically to play disc golf. At the time I had never even heard of disc golf, but I decided to tag along anyway. When we arrived the first stop was at the Clearwater Disc Golf Store, where I purchased my first discs, a 162g Champion Leopard (the pearly stuff, old school), a protostar (wasn’t called that back then) DX Cheetah, a DX Eagle, a DX Spider, and a 11x Champion (CE) Aviar. The rest as they say is history, I’ve been playing ever since.

Sidenote: I really wish my dog didn’t chew up that Aviar

Do you prefer wooded technical courses, open long distance courses, or something in between?

Depends on the day, haha. No, but I prefer wooded, technical courses. I feel like they even the playing field for more players to compete.

What is your most memorable competitive disc golf round or moment?

It would have to either be the 4th round of the 2016 Amateur World Championships, or the final round of the 2016 Amateur Championships at Bowling Green. They were two of my highest rated rounds ever recorded at 945 and 939. For both of these rounds I felt everything finally coming together all at the same time. Those rounds are few and far between but you always remember them when they happen.

Photo credit: Tony Brunner

Do you think there will be a day when there is a tour for women’s disc golf tournaments that has enough stops on it with big enough payouts that touring can be a viable profession for women?

Absolutely. With more and more female-only events on schedule each year it’s only a matter of time. I feel like we, as women, need to make getting a women’s only tour a priority. We cannot continue to pay the same entry fees and spend just as much on travel as our male counterparts and only get paid, sometimes as low as, a third of the money/plastic as they do. Eventually it just doesn’t make sense financially and women will either return to playing locally, or even just casually, or worse give up the sport altogether. I certainly hope to see a tour for women only in the very near future and hope to be a part of it all.

Kristy at Disc Girls Gone Wild 2014. Disc Girls Gone Wild is one of the longest running women’s only tournaments, and a critical event in building women’s disc golf.

Forehand or Backhand?

Why not both?

If you had to provide 3 tips for someone who has been playing disc golf less than a year what would they be?

Find someone that is better than you and play with them as often as you can.
Shoot for par. If you shoot for par, the birdies won’t be far behind.
Have fun. The one thing that I have always told Miquiath (#76557), most folks that know me from tournaments know him, is that not everyone remembers who wins every tournament, but they do remember the great people that they want to play with again, and the people that they do not. Always try to be that person that people want to be on a card with.

Following tip #3 having fun with friends!

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

Staghorn Octoberfest by New Glarus Brewing from the great state of Wisconsin, wouldn’t mind if a six pack made its way down to Ohio sometime this summer, wink wink.

We’ll deliver some Staghorn if we can Kristy!

Top 3 courses you have played?

Coyote Point DGC @ Lake Casitas, Ventura, CA:

Coyote Point photo courtesy DG Course Review

Idlewild DGC, Burlington, KY:

Idlewild photo courtesy DG Course Review

Legacy Trails DGC, Eagle Springs, NC

Legacy Trails photo courtesy of DG Course Review

Have you figured out how to get a hologram of yourself yet so you can attend all the disc golf tournaments you want?

No, but I have a team of scientists working around the clock.

Kristy’s team of scientists;)

You finished 2nd at the 2016 Amatuer Worlds in Madison, WI in the FA1 division, your 4th round you shot an impressive super hot 945 rated round, did you know your round was super hot when it was happening?

I knew it was good, it felt great, but I had no idea I was about to shoot the highest rated round of my career. As I said above it was definitely one of the most memorable rounds I’ve played to date and gave me a glance at what I know I can accomplish in the future.

BONUS: Watch Kristy in action at the final 9 of the 2016 Amateur World Championships:

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December 2016 Lady of the Month: Hailey King

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Ladies First

What age did you start playing disc golf and how old are you currently?

I started in 2012 and I am 15

You are a very polite young lady, where do you get your good manners from?

My Mom and Dad taught me to be respectful to anybody, no matter who it is.

Hailey’s father Hart who introduced her to disc golf

If all the kittens of the world lives were on the line and you could save them by writing an essay or solving a math equation which would you rather have to do to save the kittens?

I would do both, just as long as the kittens will be safe.

You are a pretty magical and skilled disc golfer, are you a wizard?

Lol, I wish. I just practice really hard, I will never stop.

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

My official beverage would be a drink like Powerade, just not sugary.

Can you throw a 360 forehand and backhand?

Yes, I can. People think that a 360 forehand is impossible, but it’s not and I can do it.

If you could choose any disc golfer in the whole world to be your partner in a doubles tournament who would you choose?

I wouldn’t be able to choose between Jeremy Koling and Cale Leiviska. I have just loved to see these guys play in videos and in person.

Jeremy Koling photo via Prodigy Discs

Cale Levieska Photo via Wisconsin Disc Sports Association

What is your favorite course in Wisconsin?

My favorite course would be Rollin’ Ridge.

Hailey and her Dad Hart with the Mixed Division at Rollin’ Ridge Doubles Tournament March 2016

Hailey at the 2016 Silver Cup at Rollin’ Ridge Photo via Wisconsin Disc Sports Association

You are currently the highest rated amateur female in the state of Wisconsin, that is a great accomplishment for someone in their first year of playing competitively, congratulations on your hard work! At this time do you plan on attending Am Worlds in Iowa in 2017?

I want to play worlds, if possible, I will know if it is possible as we get closer to the event.

Any advice for other young ladies your age on how to get them playing disc golf or continuing to play disc golf?

Well, I notice there are not many youth players out there, but there are more and more coming along. My advice would be: you are playing disc golf just have fun. If you want to get serious then you need to practice, and practice, you can’t just expect to be good and not practice. Also, don’t give up right away just because someone is better than you doesn’t mean you have to give up. You must strive to get better so you can beat them later, just don’t give up.

Hailey cheering for the youngest Junior player at the Foxy Ladies Women’s Global Event in 2016

BONUS: Check out Hailey’s recent in the bag video, this girl knows her discs!

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The Importance of Small Business Saturday

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Ladies First

The journey to Ladies First Disc Golf all started with my Kool aid stand as a kid along with the love of games and the outdoors. From a young age, it was important to me to help others and if people were thirsty, I was ready to help with a refreshing beverage. I was there to help them quench their thirst. As a kid I also enjoyed the fun and competition of bowling, card games, softball, soccer and playing neighborhood games with the other kids on my block. All these activities shaped my love for disc golf, the outdoors, business and ultimately helping others.

Why do small businesses matter to me? Since I have been in the workforce I have worked for small businesses. I spent the first 8 years of my adult career working at a garden center, which was owned by a father and his sons. I appreciated the freedom and trust in me from this company to make decisions at such a young age. My position as assistant manager provided knowledge on sales, merchandising and being a helpful representative to the local gardeners.

Jenny as the assistant manager of the Garden Mart in 2004

I started playing disc golf tournaments in 2009 and the garden center work schedule made it difficult for me to play weekend events. I sought out a job that would allow for a better work schedule and still allow me to work with plants. In 2010 I found my dream job (and still have it) at Holland Beauty where I sell flower bulbs & plants through our two websites Holland Bulb Farms and Tulip World. Holland Beauty is a small business started 35 years ago by a Dutch man named Art, it is still owned and operated by him and his son in law (who is my boss). Holland Beauty is a small company where everyone helps out, ideas run freely and we are able to hear our customer’s needs. From this job I have learned about e-commerce, social media, customer service, and providing products and resources for people who have a hobby that is also a lifestyle.

Why women’s disc golf matters to me? I first started playing disc golf in 2008 it was me, my boyfriend (now husband) and a group of great guys who would play together. We all played in our first disc golf tournament in 2009. At this tournament there was only other woman in my division. Other events I played that year had anywhere from 3-4 women to compete with; so more than the first tournament but nowhere near the amount of men who were competing. In 2010 there were more women playing, but still a smaller amount than the male divisions. I realized that in order to get more women playing, the ladies in the area needed to be connected somehow. I created a Facebook group called the Upper Midwest Women’s Disc Golf Group. I wanted a place where women could post events they are playing in an effort to get more women at that event, and this group certainly helped with that. Creating this Facebook group was only the beginning for me.

In 2012 I worked with some other ladies in the Milwaukee area to form a group called Brew City Ladies Disc Golf. It was intended to be a local ladies league in Milwaukee, WI. At that same time the Brew City Ladies Disc Golf was forming a group of ladies in Appleton, WI had formed the Disc On! Ladies League (DOLLs). Our groups met up for a travel league in fall of 2012 and decided to merge our groups into one. Other women through out the state also wanted to host ladies leagues, and the DOLLS became a state wide league.

Disc On! Ladies League End of Season Party 2013

One of our goals was to have a women’s only tournament in Wisconsin, and we accomplished that goal with the Wisco Disco in August of 2014. The Wisco Disco is now successful and fun annual event in Wisconsin. Disc On! Ladies League currently has leagues in Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa and Illinois.

Disc On! Ladies Leagues bring great joy to the women who play in them. The ladies who participate in these leagues have a group of ladies to play casual, league and tournament rounds with. Meeting and playing with women of all different skill levels combined with my love for making people happy, is how and why Ladies First Disc Golf was formed.

In 2015 things were in a transition period at my day job selling flower bulbs and the company was scaling back to its roots and became even smaller than the team of 20 we had. During this transition period it certainly put some things into perspective for me. I have always enjoyed coming up with new business or products ideas. I started thinking about women’s disc golf and how confusing it can be to purchase discs when you are first starting out. Also, how frustrating it was for me when to trying to purchase light weight or female friendly discs either in person or online. There are certainly companies out there that carry women friendly discs, but no one was specializing in carrying an assortment of discs that were best for female players.

Apparel is an important part of Ladies First Disc Golf. Over the several years of playing tournaments I had accumulated a lot of disc golf t-shirts that were men’s sizes and just didn’t fit the right way. Or women’s shirts that were too small or not figure flattering and ended up sitting in a drawer not being worn.

I had determined that there needed to be a company that had products focused only on the women of disc golf, discs we throw, and apparel that we wear. Apparel that is not only comfortable but stylish as well.

Disc golfers like to accessorize and show their disc golf pride in any way they can. On social media I was connected with women who had talents and items they were creating like disc golf necklaces, knit goods and other accessories. Including and working with other small business owners to provide a place they can sell their hand made accessories is important for growth on all levels.

Disc golf is family to many and families support each other. Whether you are doing your part by purchasing from your favorite local disc golf shop or shopping online at your favorite disc golf website it is important to support those who are family. Disc golf is life for me, pleasing the ladies of disc golf is what I strive for every day. I look forward to serving our customers, creating beautiful items, while growing disc golf for ladies, and that is why small businesses matter to me.

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November 2016 Lady of the Month: Sue Stephens Female Touring Pioneer and 3X World Champ

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Ladies First

We have heard that you were the first or among the first women to go on tour. When did you start touring, and what was the most difficult thing about being on tour early on?

I started touring in 1999, I decided to quit my job, sell my house, and hop in the 1973 Winnebago with Al Shack and Todd Branch. Some of the difficulties were long distances between tournaments and small women’s divisions. I did get to meet a lot of great people and see a lot of beautiful courses.

Do you primarily throw forehand or backhand?

I am right handed but I throw left handed backhand, and some right hand forehand upshots

What is your favorite type of cheese?

I love cheese, sharp cheddar is probably my favorite.

What are your 3 favorite courses in Michigan?

Brewer Park in Grand Rapids,

Mason County in Ludington,

Photo courtesy DG Course Review. Mason County Parks Beauty Course

Blue Gill in Wayland

Putting, driving or approach? Which of these is the strongest part of your disc golf game?

I think that my driving is my strongest part of my game, I think if I would spend more time practicing putting I would shave off some strokes.

What 3 courses in the world would you like to play that you haven’t had the opportunity to play yet?

I’m not sure, I have never been to Colorado, maybe something in Hawaii, and Johnson park one of my favorite local courses is being reinstalled and I think they will be using it for world’s next year.

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

I like a lot of different music, mostly hard rock, usually something fast to get me pumped up.

(Sue didn’t have a specific song for us, here is one we would suggest as it fits her description of hard rock and fast we hope it would get her pumped up)

You are a 3 time world champion, taking 1st in Grandmasters Women in 2016, 1st in Masters women in 2012 and 1st in the Advanced Women’s’ Division at Amatuer Worlds in 1997, any advice on how to deal with the high pressure that comes along with competing and winning a major disc golf event?

Practice the courses, know what all your disc do even your backup disc, bring enough water and a snack, have confidence in yourself, practice putting a lot.

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

Fat Tire or any good Amber

What is the biggest piece of advice you have for someone who is thinking about going on tour?

Pre register for the tournament, try to get to the course a few days early to check it out, find out who the local sponsors are and check them out to thank them, have fun, stay positive, be a good role model.

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October 2016 Lady of the Month: Super Sidearm Star Sarah Hokom

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Ladies First

When and how did you first learn about disc golf?

I first started playing in Fall 2007 when a friend who played occasionally invited me and my boyfriend to play a course close to both our homes over the weekend. My friend aced off a tree on the 9th hole. It was crazy! I couldn’t believe it! My boyfriend and I joined a local Tuesday doubles league soon after. I wanted to play well in league, so I started practicing everyday after work.

Since you spend much of your off season in California what are your three favorite courses in California?

I love

DeLaveaga in Santa Cruz, CA

Photo from DG Course Review

Pinto Lake in Watsonville, CA

Photo from DG Course Review

Morley Field in San Diego, CA

Photo from DG Course Review

You primarily throw forehand, when you first started playing and touring did you receive any criticism or comments from people telling you that you needed to learn backhand? And if so, how did you deal with those comments early on in your career?

I definitely got a lot of criticism for only throwing forehand. I had tried early on to learn backhand, but it was so much less natural for me to throw. I began to simply focus on finding a way to get a sidearm to follow backhand lines, rather than pursue learning the backhand skill, which had become extremely frustrating to figure out by that point. In addition, one time after several failed backhand attempts and too much verbal beration on my part, a wise fellow sidearm player once told me to just keep throwing sidearms…to do what works for me and forget the people who think otherwise. It’s difficult to work through criticism sometimes, but if you really know YOUR game, it won’t really matter what most people say. You can focus on what you need to do, where your weaknesses really are, and at a pace at works for you, not on someone else’s timeline.

Photo credit: Bill Baker

If a grilled cheese sandwich and taco got into a fight, who would come out with the victory?

I’m pretty sure the grilled cheese would just sit on the taco and smash it without much trouble.

We have noticed you often have at least 1 ear bud in when you are competing, assuming you are using an mp3 player to listen to music as opposed to a walkman or discman. If you were to turn on said mp3 player right now, what is the first song that would play?

Happy by Pharell

Any exciting new items planned for Cali Connection coming up in the next couple of months?

We just released a new ladies hoodie for the winter months and are looking forward to fresh designs for 2017.

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

Patriot

Enemy

Prowler

True or False: The most important shot in (disc) golf is the next?

True

Photo credit: Rebecca Heiam

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

Crispin Hard Cider

Any rituals or routines you like to do to stay calm, cool, and collected on the course?

Listening to music really helps me stay calm. I like to bust out a little head bob or booty shake here and there to keep my muscles loose too. 🙂

Congratulations on your most recent title of United States Women’s Disc Golf Champion for 2016! You worked hard to get to where you are and have plenty of accomplishments leading up to your most recent win. Any words of advice for players who are just starting to compete or to the gals who may think they are not skilled enough to compete yet?

There’s no such thing as not being skilled enough to compete in disc golf. There is usually a division for any level of player, whether they are new or seasoned. Disc golf is a sport that gives newer players the opportunity to jump in and try it out for a relatively inexpensive fee. In addition, success and failure are part of life, so don’t worry about it if you didn’t do as well as you want. That’s the fun part…figuring out why and how to do better. Disc golf is a sport where you win a few and you lose A LOT!!! Lol. Try not to attach your self-worth or much of your ego to your score….the fact that you are out there doing your best and having fun in really all the matters!!

Photo Credit: Mom Mary Ann Wallis

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August 2016 Lady of the Month: World Champion Young Hope Brown

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Ladies First

Well young lady you came and sat at the picnic table with me and a couple of my sparkle sisters at the 2016 PDGA Amateur World Championships, I was impressed with your confidence, attitude and demeanor. You explained to me that you aren’t just Hope Brown, you are the Young Hope Brown:) Can you explain to our readers why they call you the Young Hope Brown?

First of all thank you for making me lady of the month! Second of all I am the “Young Hope Brown” aka “YHB” because about 1 ½ hours away from my home town lives another Hope Brown that plays in the Open Women division and when people hear the name they think of her. So, one time during a tournament a disc golfer named “CuTT’ made up a hashtag which is registered as

#younghopebrown

Have you ever met the other (older) Hope Brown? If so, have you discussed joining forces in a doubles tournament?

I have indeed met the “other” Hope Brown and we have competed against each other many times. On August 20th of 2016 we competed as doubles team to try and qualify for the amateur division for the USDGC Doubles event that will be held in September in Rock Hill, SC.

At what age did you start playing disc golf? Do you remember the first time you threw a disc?

I didn’t really start playing disc golf seriously until I was 7 or 8 years old. However, my dad has played since before I was born and I have been on the disc golf course with him since I was 3 months old. The first time that I ever “threw” a real disc not a mini was about 3 years of age.

Do you spend your summer vacation from school playing disc golf? Do you play all year?

I do play during the summer months. However, it is not always the most pleasant when it gets supper HOT! One time I was complaining about the heat and my dad poured his water bottle over my head to cool me off. I do play all year round no matter the weather (preferably no rain unless in a tournament) even though it may get to some uncomfortable extremes.

Do you have other hobbies or sports you play outside of disc golf?

I really don’t play a lot of other sports except for dance and archery. I dance and shoot archery for my school and love every minute of it especially dance.

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

If it was a hard type candy then it would be Jolly Ranchers, but if was a chocolate type candy if would have to Kit Kats.

What is your favorite driver, midrange and putter?

Driver – Leopard or Teebird

Mid-range – Roc 3

Putter – 30th Anniversary Big Bead Aviar

All players have their strengths, some are incredible putters, others have mastered the

art of parking their upshot under the basket, and some can just really crush their drives.

What would you say is your best strength as a disc golfer?

My biggest strength I would have to say is my driving. My max distance I’ve ever thrown if about 330’ and that was my recent milestone that I hit. My biggest weakness is a back hand roller, I’ve never landed one in front of me.

How did you feel when you won the 2016 Am World Championships in Madison, for the Junior III Girls (12 and under)? Do you plan on attending the 2017 Amateur World Championships, in Quad Cities, IA?

Honestly, I was really surprised. I was unaware that we wouldn’t have a finals and we finished at Bird Ruins and turned in the card and the course Marshall said congratulations. I was confused because I thought we were playing a finals the next day. I didn’t cry at the ceremony but when were eating I didn’t know what to do because after not winning my first worlds in 2015. I set a goal for myself to win worlds and that was my only goal leading up to worlds 2016. Once that was accomplished I remember feeling sad and I didn’t know what to do going forward. My dad simply told me “Let’s go get ready for next year, you gotta defend your title…right?”

Do you have any words of advice for young ladies (10-14 years old) who may be just starting to play disc golf?

I would definitely say keep trying and believe in yourself. I know it sounds really corny but it’s true. It’s easy to get frustrated (trust me I know) but it really helps to take a deep breath and channel all your emotions into getting better for the next time.

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