Darren Stace-Smith – VIC – PDGA #92242

Playing Division: MPO

Current Rating: 958

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

5 years in Australia. But I actually got my start back in Canada where I grew up. Used to work as a lifeguard near a course, and once found a disc on the roof of the pool guardhouse. Went and gave a few throws a try, and was instantly interested. We used to play with one disc only, until we lost it, and had to buy a new one from the local video store! Always fun rounds, never kept score officially. Pretty soon after I started playing a lot with my brother and buddies.

What are your strengths as a player?

A reasonable amount of power and spin, allows me to throw slower discs on holes that others might require a higher speed disc. Being lefty can also be a blessing (or a curse) depending on the course we are playing. I see holes and lines that are often different than my right-handed compatriots.

What is your best or favourite competition result to date?

Back in my days of amateur play, winning back-to-back MA1 Aussie champs was pretty special. As an MPO player, I would have to say getting my first win in an Aussie A-Tier (2021 Two Heads Open) was up there too.

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

Consistency is always where I’m trying to improve. Keeping the mental fortitude throughout all tournament or comp rounds. I hope to help with being the driving force behind getting more courses installed in and around Melbourne, and developing programs aimed at youngsters who are trying the game for the first time.

Can you share a practice tip or something you learned that substantially helped you improve your play?

Work on angles, no matter what sort of power you have. Get used to being able to shape shots with different discs. The more options you have, the less you’ll be frightened by the conditions or difficulty of the course!

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

Nate Sexton. He plays the game with so much thought and is able to be pinpoint accurate to overcome perhaps some shortfalls in power by thinking through his rounds so well.

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

I am loving my strata RPM Kotuku at moment. Such a great workable midrange. Hard to look past an RPM Tui though, everyone needs one of those in their bag!

Thanks Darren, can’t wait to see you tear it up in Croatia!

🖋 David Kynaston

Effective: 14th February 2022

Purpose

The Covid landscape has changed since the last ADG guidelines implemented in May 2020. These updated guidelines outline what is required to participate in and run disc golf events in Australia. The scope of the Covid Guidance includes local leagues, small events, and tournaments making up the ADG tour. These guidelines have been put together considering that disc golf is a non-contact sport played outdoors in small groups.

 

Requirements for Participation

Players, officials and spectators (participants) must not attend an event if they:

• have a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19
• have any COVID like symptoms
• are required to self-isolate in accordance with current local government policy

Participants must:

• Be an ADG member with up to date contact details recorded if they are either a player or official.
• Check event communications to keep up to date on how the event will run and under what conditions
• Understand that some events will implement measures above local requirements, such as the need to be vaccinated, use QR codes to check in or wear a face mask to participate.
• Follow all event requirements
• For events with a vaccination mandate, proof of vaccination status must be provided to the TD on request. Participants who are not vaccinated or choose not to share their vaccination status won’t be able to compete.
• For other events, you are encouraged to share your vaccination status if asked by the Tournament Director (TD), however you may also choose not to share that information.
• Contact event organisers and relevant health authorities if diagnosed with COVID-19 in the week following the event.
• Cease play and alert event organisers if feeling unwell or experiencing any of the known Covid symptoms during the event.
• Assess their own risk considering their age, medical conditions, situation and contacts.
• Incorporate COVID safe practices into play
  • Practice social distancing of 1.5 m.
  • Ensure tee box is clear before entering.
  • Avoid touching other participants’ person -no handshakes, high 5s, hugs etc.
  • Avoid touching other participants’ discs, equipment and belongings.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.

Event Requirements

Events must be run per local public health orders in place on the day of the event. It is essential to be prepared to respond to changes in your area. TDs and clubs running events may implement measures above their local requirements, such as the need to be meet a defined minimum level of vaccination, use QR codes to check-in or wear a mask to participate. Such requirements should be clearly stipulated in event information provided prior and at time of registration. Those wishing to implement such measures for event staff or players have the support of ADG.

Event Organisers must

• Be aware of local public health orders and restrictions and abide by them.
• Communicate with players about how the event will run using the event website, facebook page or mailing lists – where practical in advance of registration.
• Retain an attendance record of all participants names and contact details, including player groupings
• Have hand sanitizer available for participants to use when they arrive and prior to leaving.
• Remind participants to socially distance, and of their other obligations as detailed above.

Event considerations:

• Avoid gatherings of participants as much as practical, for example hold players meetings and award ceremonies online, post groups and scores online.
• For larger groups use Tee-times, flex start or ‘go straight to your hole’ shotgun starts to avoid entrants gathering.
• Use electronic scoring systems
• Collect payment and registrations online.

In the event of a COVID case at an event

Participants must

• Inform event organisers if they are feeling unwell during the event or if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 in the week following the event.

Event Organisers must

• Respect the individual’s privacy and not name the individual in any future correspondence to the playing group.
• Alert other participants that they were possibly exposed at the event and to monitor for symptoms.
• Seek advice from relevant health authorities if there are any high-risk concerns (eg high-risk population, significant time spent indoors etc.

Failure to comply

Anyone not complying with these guidelines or abusing TDs, officials or other players will have their ADG membership, and therefore the ability to play disc golf events in Australia, reviewed.

The eleven-strong team representing Australia at the WFDF 2022 World Team Disc Golf Championships has been selected and announced. Between now and the big event in August, we will get to know a little more about each of the players in a series of ‘Meet the Team’ Player Profiles.

WA’s Chris Finn has competed at the highest level of Australian disc golf for over two decades. He has won four ADGC titles, an ADG tour title, has taken many career wins and is Australia’s career earnings leader from pro play. Chris is a prominent figure in disc golf in Australia and worldwide, he runs multiple businesses including The Flying Disc Store, course designer/installer RAD Creations and disc golf clothing brand Dude Clothing. Let’s hear from Chris, there’s a lot we can learn.

Playing Division: MPO
Current Rating: 984
Sponsors: Dude, RAD, FDS, RPM
Predominant throw: RHBH

Q: What are your strengths as a player?
A: Time in the game, I’ve played disc sports and disc golf since 1987 as an 11 year old. This means nothing unless you’ve put time in to learn. I have treated the game the same as a martial art, always working on different aspects of the game to get them better. I am very strategic on the course and also analyze the course I’m playing. At the end of the day, it’s only you versus the course, playing one hole one shot at a time.

Q: What is your best or favourite competition result to date?
A: Hmm, so many hard to decide, I don’t think one singular stands out for me so top 5 are these, Junior Disc Golf Titles were part of my early love but probably then top 2 in a Major in a Pro Division, United Stated Masters Championships top 20 then 2015 Aussie Champs Title, Last but not least winning Rob Hancock Memorial, every time

Q: What are your disc golfing ambitions and plans for the next two or three years?
A: My passion and legacy is to keep developing courses so more people find the game, as this is singularly the most important thing for people to find the game, courses in the ground and my legacy is to ensure I can help people find something like this to help them through life’s ups and downs. Actually putting myself 1st again for playing, and playing my best, no one elses, just to play my best and win or lose doing that is all I want to do knowing I haven’t left any stone unturned, practice, practice, practice. If I’m beaten it’s because someone played better than my best, not because I wasn’t good enough due to not putting in the effort.

Q: Can you share a top form tip or something that substantially helped you improve your play. A: Focus, clearly at the shot you’re about to take. The Wind, the Danger, The memory of a good shot on that hole or a similar shot you’ve played, visualize the shot, practice the shot in your mind and execute it in full, don’t have any doubts in which disc, or shot or line your about to take. When I’ve done this the results have always been 1,000 rated plus rounds.

Q: What top pro player do you look up to and why?
A ; Jay Reading, he’s everything a player and person can aim to be. Enjoying the playing, The competition, giving back to the game and community and furnish everyone with your positive presence, Jay has done this since I’ve known him. Honourable mention to Simon Feasey as well for being such an awesome bloke around the world, he’s the reason I keep pushing myself….

Q: What is your favourite disc in your bag right now and what do you use it for?
A: Most favorite….So hard, I love my discs, my RPM Piwakawaka, P2 Glow and PD2. Always reliable.
Thanks Chris, best of luck for Croatia.

By David Kynaston
Thanks and credit for images to Kingsley Flett