Emilie Cameron – ADG Secretary

Emilie Cameron is the (Company) Secretary for ADG and co-ordinates……well pretty much everything. She’s the central hub of communications and actions internally and externally. Emilie is a leading advocate for the growth of female participation in the sport and like other board members she also volunteers for additional projects, like co-ordinating the first Aussie Disc Golf Day (that was a big one), and the Women’s Global Event on the national level as well as TDing the WGE at Koala Park in NSW. Let’s hear from Emilie.

Q. How long have you played (DG) and how did you get introduced to the sport?

A. I have played Ultimate since 2002 but didn’t venture into disc golf until 2008 when I moved to the US with partner JJ. There was a course 5 mins from our house and the first time we played we met some awesome people who told us about the local club and events. We were soon playing as much as we could and made some great friends.

Q. What is your favourite place to play in Australia and why?

A. While I like playing those big-name courses like Poimena and Crater Lakes I think my favourite place to play is to stay local. There is something special about being involved in getting a course in the ground and getting to play that courses regularly and seeing others enjoying it.

Q. How did you come to be on the ADG Board? and what are the responsibilities of your position?

A. In 2010 the AGM was held in Finny’s (Chris Finn) backyard in Perth and there was a real sense of excitement as the sport was starting to take off. When it was time to vote for a new committee no one was putting their hand up for the secretary role. So I thought why not. I have been in the role ever since.

Q. Look ahead five years – what is your vision for disc golf in Australia?

A. More women! The sport has grown so quickly in recent years that we need to make sure the numbers of women and other underrepresented groups are included in that growth. I would also love to get disc golf into more schools and have enough juniors for some junior-specific tournaments.

Q. Do you have any tips or advice for people thinking of getting involved in the admin/management side of disc golf? A. This sport runs on the hard work of volunteers running clubs, events, on boards. If you are at all interested there is a job for you. Just reach out and see what help is needed.

Thanks Emilie, you are truly appreciated!

ADG Hall of Famer Gail Lynch has played in and contributed to the development of disc golf since its inception in Australia, and we’re delighted to bring you our interview with Gail.

PLAYER PROFILE – GAIL P LYNCH – VIC – PDGA #68980

Playing Division: FA40 / FA70+

Predominant throw: RHBH

Q: How long have you been playing and how did you get introduced to the sport?

A: I have been playing Flying Disc Sports since 1976, when the two World Frisbee Champions came to Australia on a promotional tour for Wham-O. I was working with Toltoys, who were the Australian distributor (later a manufacturer) of Frisbees and was hooked immediately – ahhh the flight. Went on to become a founding member of Australian Frisbee Association and the Australian Flying Disc Association.

Q: What are your strengths as a player?

A: Back then – all-round high-level disc skills. Came from playing the various disciplines which required a diverse suite of skills and throws.

Now – perseverance, mindset, enjoyment. As I don’t play very much at the moment and my body is aging, I have had to work hard to be mindful of this, and in particular to ‘dial down’ my highly competitive drive to playing to my abilities, appreciating what I can do and enjoying it.

Q: What is your best or favourite competition result to date?

A: Well, in the ‘olden days’, the three Australian Championships I won and particularly winning the Open Division of Freestyle – yeah! In those days we played all the disciplines of Flying Disc Sports as part of the competition; Distance, Maximum Time Aloft, Throw Run and Catch, Discathon, Freestyle, (even Accuracy at one point) and Disc Golf.

In ‘modern days’ competing at the Aussie Open in Perth in 2015 (the first PDGA Major in the southern hemisphere) and coming 2nd in Advanced Women and of course, who could forget my win at the SA Open / WGE 2021 in the 65+ Division (big smile and thanks to all who backed in this win – bigger smile).

Q: What are your disc golfing ambitions and plans for the next two or three years?

A: Oh, so many: playing more regularly; working with Melbourne Disc Golf Club in developing new courses, continuing our work actively developing and promoting participation options for women and juniors; continuing to have fun out there.

Q: Can you share a practice tip or something you learned that substantially improved your play?

A: Working with others who are more skilled for feedback on my form and play and putting this into practice, practice, practice.

Q: What top pro player do you look up to and why?

A: There’s a huge field of fabulous players, including all the younger players coming into the sport who I admire. Though she is not touring anymore, I really admire Valarie Doss (Jenkins), 4 x Disc Golf World Champion & Disc Golf Hall of Famer. Valarie’s huge list of accomplishments speaks to her skills, as well as her ongoing work in developing and encouraging young players. In particular, her ongoing work increasing participation for female disc golfers, with the creation and promotion of the first Women’s Global Event in 2011 and her other endeavors, has meant that women’s participation has increased immensely.

Q: What is a favourite disc in your bag right now and what do you use it for?

A: My trusty old Piwakawaka – approaching shots a dream with this, and it has gotten me out of trouble so many times – perhaps this is because Simon Feasey signed it?

A last comment – throughout my many years playing this great sport and recreation activity, I have been fortunate to travel and play overseas, meet wonderful people, to be inducted into the Australian Disc Golf Hall of Fame and to receive a Lifetime Membership to MDGC. The standout though is the people, the camaraderie, the fun and enjoyment and the sharing of the love of the game.

Thanks so much Gail, your are an inspiration to us all!

It might not be in front of a stadium full of people at an Olympics or Commonwealth Games (yet), and it’s played out in a fairly convivial atmosphere among members of the disc golf tribe from all over the world – but representing our country, with that coat of arms over the heart, makes every single throw matter like it’s never mattered before. The twelve members of the Australian Disc Golf team rode those emotional highs and lows together for a week of intense competition at the WFDF World Teams Disc Golf Championships from August 17 to 20.

After losing in heartbreaking fashion to eventual bronze medalists Canada in the quarter final, the Sugar Gliders won in a tense playoff for 5th place against Germany to finish the event. Australia entered the Championships seeded 11th. Before the event Captain Chris Hill (Chilly) made a bold prediction in an interview with AFDA: “My personal goal for the event is to make the top 8 teams. And then we are just 3 wins away from winning the whole championship… Who knows what might happen! …Let’s show the world what Aussie disc golf can do.” And show the world they did.

The team also won the the spirit award, as voted by all the competitors at the event. That’s a strong endorsement for the culture of the team and how they represented us all. Well done to The Sugar Gliders from everyone in Australian Disc Golf.

Story by Kingsley Flett and Emilie Cameron