October 2018 Lady of the Month: Paige Bjerkaas

Paige Bjerkaas #33833 is a pro disc golfer on the Dynamic Discs team. Her disc golf career started in 2007 competing as a junior disc golfer. Paige is the 2018 Female Pro Disc Golf World Champion, winning in a 49 player division of professional women disc golfers. The 2018 Pro World’s competition took place at Smuggler’s Notch in Jeffersonville, VT,  Paige earned her first world championship title as a professional at this competition. In 2010 Paige earned the title of Female Junior II World Champion at the Amateur Worlds in Marion, OH. She is also a student at Emporia State University in Emporia, KS, and works at the  Dynamic Discs retail store in the off season. Her parents have had a huge impact on her disc golf journey! 

Who introduced you to disc golf? At what age did you begin playing?

My parents introduced me to the sport. They found out about disc golf the year I was born. My parents put a disc in my hand as early as 6-7 but I didn’t play a full 18 until I was 10. I competed in my first tournament also when I was 10.

What disc would you most recommend to a new female player?

I would recommend a Diamond for a new female player.

If Dynamic Discs said you could only play with 3 discs from now until eternity, which 3 would you choose?

The three discs I would use forever would be the Opto Ballista Pro, the Lucid EMAC Truth and the Classic Judge.

Dogs or Cats or Both or Neither?

I love kitties!!!

Often players get nervous before a tournament starts, and sometime it holds them back from playing. Do you get nervous before an event starts? Any tips on shaking the nerves?

I definitely still get nervous at the beginning of the tournament. My tip for that is getting a good warm up in. If your body has been throwing the shots and putting already, it’ll be easier for you to execute with nerves on that first hole.

What event do you look forward to the most each year?

The Glass Blown Open is the event I look forward to the most every year.

On a PDGA Radio podcast episode from earlier in the year, you mentioned you were a fan of the Beastie Boys! Well, the Beastie Boys are one of my favorite bands too,  that put a smile on my face when I heard that:) 2 part question: 1.) What is your favorite Beastie Boys album? 2.) What song off that album is your favorite?

I love the Beastie Boys!!! Licensed to Ill is my favorite album and my favorite song on that album is No Sleep Til Brooklyn.

If you could have a spirit animal, which animal would you choose?

My spirit animal is a penguin because I am very clumsy.

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

My official snack of disc golf would be Gold Fish!

Congratulations on winning your first Pro Worlds title! The whole disc golf community is excited for you!  A lot of young ladies look up to you, and will be looking up to you as you continue your disc golf career. What is the best advice you can give to a new female disc golf player?

Thank you!! The best advice I can give to not only a new female player, but any new player, is learn to throw a putter! Start with putters. It teaches you smooth form. And when you mess up on a putter shot, it shows you what you did wrong. You can easily see the mistake you made.

Bonus question: How can your fans support you and your tour?

I can be supported through the Dynamic Discs website! Just type my name Paige Bjerkaas in the search bar and my Discs should come up! I have signature Fuzion Judges and a custom DyeMax design that can be put on almost any disc!