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When did you first start playing disc golf? Did anyone help you get into the sport?

My first round of Disc Golf was in May of 2012. A co-worker and I were hanging out, talking about the empty feeling I had from high school sports and competition coming to an end. Disc Golf was recommended and I was hooked after my first round! 

Forehand, backhand or both?

I use both forehand and backhand. I choose between the two by the angles of the fairway, and the variables I’m presented with. I was told by fellow Team Discraft member, Neal Dambra PDGA#200, that to truly go far in this sport you need both. Since that day a few years ago I have made it a big point to practice both equally. It really helps out to have both throws, strong staples in my bag.

What is your favorite disc for crushing drives?

I have 2 favorite discs that I use for distance. For straight to anhyzer shots I use a Z Heat, 175 gm. I can trust it to do its job down long tunnels, and straight shots. The Z Heat is the most used disc in my bag, besides my putters.

Photo Courtesy Discraft

For distance shots that finish hyzering, I go for an ESP Force, 172gm. I like to pull this disc over and let it fly its full flight pattern. This disc saves me so many strokes out there during tournament rounds. 

Photo Courtesy Discraft

What is your favorite thing about being on the road traveling to play disc golf?

My first practice round at a new course. I have a deep appreciation for good course design, and view the way we twist and twine through the trees and hills as art. I’m so glad we get the opportunity to play on such prestigious courses. I love it when nature takes my breathe away. 

What is your best tip for playing disc golf in the wind?

Trust your shot. I could tell you the normal physics of wind and the way the disc will lift or fall depending on the direction it’s blowing, but honestly when it comes down to it, trusting your shot is what matters the most. You have to make a choice regardless of the other factors, and you need to trust that choice. If you’re confident in your decision, it will not turn out as bad as when you aren’t sure and soft arm it.

Photo Courtesy Discraft

Fill in the blank….Disc golf is ________. 

Healing

What disc golf destination is at the top of your list that you haven’t been to yet?

Maple Hill

If you had to choose an official beer of disc golf, what would it be?

Deschutes Brewery’s Chain Breaker White IPA

What do you think your dog’s favorite part about being a disc dog is?

When we get out of the car in a new State. She gets so overjoyed by the new smells and wildlife.

How can people help to support your touring efforts?

We are looking to run doubles events with free clinics throughout our travels this year. If you would like us to come to your area and put on a great show and event email me at [email protected] Also keep an eye out for out next Tour Fundraiser Disc, Inspired by Pinky and the Brain<3 The art has been commissioned for development and we are so thrilled to see the final product!

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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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.

You’ve probably been trying to master cooking longer than disc golf, how long have you been playing disc golf?

My first round in September 1999 at South Park of Wood County parks next to Lake Wazeecha in Wisconsin Rapids. I was a freshman in Stevens Point, WI and met a guy in my songwriting class and he asked me to go with him. It was fun!

Your tournament career has slowed down from your early years in disc golf, but we know there are a few tournaments you play each year. How do you determine which disc golf tournaments you will play each year?

It sure has slowed down. Truthfully, it’s all about the people

It’s not about the game anymore, it’s reconnecting with people from a sport that I made great friendships with.

I try to play Silver Cup (Manitowoc, WI), Prairie Open (Kenosha, WI), and MXG (Milwaukee, WI).

Since being on MasterChef has tested your skills and taught you to perform under pressure, have you been able to translate this to making difficult shots, or risky putts in disc golf tournaments?

The biggest struggle with my game and with cooking under pressure, is my head. When I know I am “on” and not overthinking everything, I perform much better. I have been trying to let things go and not be so hard on myself. I just think that is life too.

What is your favorite tool for the kitchen and what is your favorite tool for the disc golf course?

My favorite tool is a spoon. People forget to taste their food while you are making it. If you following a recipe, taste what you making. There needs to be a balance in your food. It might need more salt, acid, heat, sweetness, spice etc… My favorite disc is a Bright Green Surge Flex ESP, 167 g, with Mickey holding a Mickey on it!

Pictured is a different but also amazing Mickey Disc drawn by Katrina’s friend Barrett White.

What kind of breakfast meal would you prepare for someone on the first day of a large disc golf event, like a Major or National tour?

First I would ask my client. Are you a big breakfast type of person or small? But, for me and if I’d have enough time, (which usually isn’t the case) I would like maple sausage patties with over medium eggs and American fries. But, if I am short on time (which usually is the case) I really just love yogurt, fruit and homemade granola with flax seeds.

What ingredients are needed for a top notch round of disc golf?

Great friends,

good weather,

and a cold beer.

We know you were pretty much occupied with Master Chef when you were in California filming, did you get a chance to play any disc golf?
I wasn’t able to play any disc golf, but I did meet someone who plays and on a regular and has been in the California Disc Golf Scene for a long time!

What advice do you have for a disc golfer that may want to try something new like a tournament or league, but aren’t sure if they can stack up to the competition?
First off, don’t worry about the competition have fun, meet new friends and don’t worry if you are a new at the sport, because there is a lot of support out in the disc golf world.

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

Moon Man No Coast Ale brewed by New Glarus Brewing in New Glarus, WI or Fantasy Factory IPA, Karben 4 in Madison, WI!!

How can we try the delicious food you cook?

Currently, I am offering private dining, cooking and mustard making classes, and you can follow my adventures on my blog. www.katrinakozar.com

I will also be preparing and serving lunch for the Disc On! Ladies League Double 9’r on November 7th, 2015 at Heritage Trails in Slinger, WI. Stop out and visit with me there, or find a partner and sign up.

If your little hearts desire you can keep up with my news and activities on various social media sites:

https://www.facebook.com/KatrinaKozar?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/KatrinaKozar

https://instagram.com/katrinakozar/

Opening my own business has always been a dream of mine, and I have considered myself an entrepreneur my whole life, from kool-aid stands in the front yard to re-selling my clothes, I have always been trying to help others purchase the goods they needed. Maybe that is why in my adolescent and early adult life I had no clue what I wanted to do because what I wanted to do took me learning who I was and finding a hobby that encompasses my life. Now that I have found that hobby and know myself a little better it all makes sense and that is how, when, and why Ladies First Disc Golf was born.

This past Spring some changes at my work caused me to lose my company-provided health insurance and the future was uncertain, but at least I had a job. I was actively looking for employment but nothing was appealing to me, I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my freedom and happiness for maybe more money and benefits, but less time and joy. I decided to take a different path than the safe and secure corporate world and decided I was going to start my own business. I still work at my current employer because I like what I do, but Ladies First is hopefully something I can do full-time in the future.

I am full of ideas, they just come to me when I started thinking about the fact that there was not a one-stop shop for the female disc golfer to get discs, apparel, and accessories I realized there needed to be, because disc golf is growing, and female participation is also growing. That is where Ladies First came to be not just an idea, but now something that was really going to happen and did! If you know me or have met me, you know that I like helping people, I just can’t help myself but help, which makes all the things Ladies First will do and accomplish great, we are helping ladies and gentlemen find the discs and disc golf apparel they need.

For now, I just wanted to thank you for visiting the website and blog, and give a little background on how Ladies First Disc Golf came to be. Our inventory will be growing over time, so if you are looking for something and we don’t have it, please drop us a line [email protected]