The ADG AGM will be held online on Thurs 8^th Dec 2022 at 8pm AEDT.

Further details can be found here

The AGM is a great opportunity to ask questions of the board, provide feedback and discuss what disc golf in Australia should look like in 2023.

At the meeting we will be electing the ADG board for 2023. This year we are making some changes to how the board is structured. This change will allow more people to be involved and help the board to achieve more through the creation of sub-committees with specific roles.

If you are interested in nominating for a position on the ADG board, Tournament committee or State Representative Body please complete this form by 5.00pm Thursday 10th November. You can find out more about these positions  here. If there is someone you think should apply please let them know you will support their application. We welcome applicants from diverse gender and cultural backgrounds.

Paul Arden – Director of Competitions and PDGA Liaison

A founder and still the longest-serving board member of ADG, Paul Arden is the mastermind behind the ADG Tour and has been instrumental in the development of governance in the sport since the mid-noughties. Let’s hear from Paul

Q: How long have you played (DG) and how did you get introduced to the sport?
A: About 17 years since 2005. A friend found out about Disc Golf through VFDA (Victorian Flying Disc Association) and we played their object/lamppost course in the Fitzroy Gardens. A bit of Googling and we quickly found the now removed basket course on the Whittlesea Golf Club course, hooked ever since. First real disc, Innova XD.

Q: What is your favourite place to play in Australia and why?
A: Likely a tie between Poimena and Crater Lakes as the most beautiful and enjoyable. Closer to home I love Stony Creek Disc Golf Course because it’s less than 15 minutes from home and I can just empty my bag over and over going for aces.

Q: How did you come to be on the ADG Board? and what are the responsibilities of your position?
A: I was one of the founding board members of ADG, at a time where if you wanted to play Disc Golf you had to have a hand in organising things. I have been Director of Competitions and responsible for the ADG Tour since then.

Q: Look ahead five years – what is your vision for disc golf in Australia?
A: More courses, more tournaments, more players! The last two years has seen amazing growth of the sport to the point where we now have the ‘nice-to-have’ problems we talked about 15 years ago. Now we need to start working on ways to accommodate the huge demand for Disc Golf in Australia.

Q: Do you have any tips or advice for people thinking of getting involved in the admin/management side of disc golf?
A: Focus. Select an area you believe you can make a valuable contribution to and focus on that. There is a diverse set of requirements and more than likely there will be a way you can contribute, whether at a local level or nationally.

Thanks Paul

For a more detailed account of Paul’s life in Disc Golf have a look at the fireside chat interview we did in 2019 https://www.australiandiscgolf.com/paul-arden-a-chat…/

Who’s the best in the land?

There has been a shuffling of the card deck in the MPO division in Australia in the last couple of years. Some have been developing their games in isolation, some have gained overseas experience while others have switched in from Ultimate and brought their advanced throwing skills with them. So, coming into the business end of the ADG tour we are all wondering ‘who is the best MPO player in the land?’ Well, we are about to find out. Over the next couple of months, most of the MPO players who have been ‘in the conversation’ for this title, will be teeing off against each other in the NSW Open in Molong, The Eruption in Mount Gambier and the Australian Disc Golf Championships in the Sunshine Coast.

Here’s some of our contenders.

Luke Bayne

If Bayney continues at the same rate of improvement as the last couple of years, where he’s gone from novice, to MPO and then solid international performances, then it’s game over. But it’s called an improvement curve, not an improvement line, for a reason, and maybe he’s coming to the shallower part of his. Nevertheless, it’s been a wild ride for the former Ulti player from Brisbane: after finishing second in the Sizzler and the Aussie Champs, he won the Vic Open, the Yeronga memorial and the Pine Rivers Open before jumping on a plane to play the European Open, the WFDF team Worlds, The Estonian Open and the Pro Worlds. After all that tough competition and experience he’ll be battle hardened and carved out of wood. He’ll be in Molong, The Volcano and at the Sunny Coast as well as playing the lead-up, River City Ruckus in Queensland.

Dylan Feldman

Our reigning national champ has put together an impressive year with six wins, one of those being the big enchilada. He is also yet to get his feet dirty come the time to stand on podiums. Dylan is another one whose game is still in its growth phase so even in the six-month time lapse since the February nationals he will quite likely have improved. He’ll be playing the NSW Open, The Eruption and the Nationals.

Patty Robinson

It’s been a quiet couple of years for the three times Aussie and one time New Zealand champ. Covid, a growing professional career and becoming a dad have taken his focus off the game slightly, as has an elbow injury that has restricted his ability to throw forehand shots.  He had an uncharacteristic 18^th placing in the February Nationals that must have had him asking the other guys on the 5^th card ‘so what you all talk about back here anyway?’ His showing in Inverleigh no doubt had something to do with him being a TD of the big show as well. But Patty has still had a pretty solid year with a second place in the Two Heads, a win in Mt Baw Baw, fourth in the Vic Open and second in the South Aussie Open. He’s signed up for The NSW Open, The Eruption and the Nationals and it seems that elbow is starting to feel a little better. It’ll need to be if he wants to shut down this revolution in Aussie MPO.  

Blake Houston

The little kid from Perth is not so little anymore and has dominated the scene on his side of the land, only stepping off the podium recently at the Alex Rebooted tournament. He won the big one, the Perth Open over a strong local MPO field and had other wins in the Mundilorian and the Hermit Kingdom Open. He won the Eruption last year and is returning to the volcano in October as well as heading out to Molong earlier that month, plus he’ll be in the Sunshine Coast in November.

David Perry

After third in the Aussie Champs and fifth at the Vic Open, the Victorian peeled off four wins before jumping on the plane to Estonia and doing Australia proud at the WFDF Team Worlds. Top level match play competition steels the mind like nothing else so, like all players who have returned from overseas, expect the David Perry who has returned home to be a much tougher competitor than the one who left. He’ll be in Molong, at the Eruption and in the Sunshine Coast in November.

Jordan Wheeler

Jordy’s been quiet lately. He’s left the US tour van life and is carving a different path with disc golf no longer on the centre screen. The lefty has only played 4 tournaments with year with a win at the Red Tail Open early on, a forgettable performance at the Fantasy Park Open, a win at the Rob Hancock Memorial and finishing second to Blake Houston in his only ADG major for the year, the Perth Open. But taking the time off work and travelling to the Sunshine Coast isn’t a small commitment from WA, so we can expect a well prepared and switched-on Jody at Tunnel Ridge ranch for the nationals. He’s a seasoned, experienced pro who with plenty of lead card experience in the ADGC.

Chris Hill

Chilly is focussing just on the Nationals at this end of the year and has competed sparingly over the last couple of years. But he’s another one that will have come back from the WFDF Team World forever changed by the experience and, on his day, can match it with anyone. He’s had 8 wins in two years that have included one win and one podium in majors. He’s also had a recent win at the Dubbo Charge.  

Jade Brady

From the ACT, Jade Brady has had a solid competitive year and some big showings in the big events. He followed up a tope 10 place at the February Nationals with a close second at the Vic Open with a host of other podium finishes and wins in the Jesmond Jam and the Queensland Open in Townsville. He was still a but of an unknown at the Vic Open but nobody is saying ‘who the hell is Jade Brady?’ anymore.

Tim Bohan

The recently crowned King of Salisbury is another who played some international disc golf this year and come back with a hard stare minus a few rough edges knocked off his game. Tim has played a lot this year, including the Am worlds and the Am USDGC, he’s only had to slum it with the great unwashed off the podium five times out of 16 events played. Plus, for those of you who like to use recent form as a guide when you are making your predictions, his highness has just won three tournaments in a row.  

Austin D’Alessandro

After winning his home major, The Sizzler, in the ACT in February, Austin has out together a solid year, with three podium finishes, top ten placings in the February Nationals and the Vic Open and rounded it out with a win at the WGE Sydney event. He’ll be in Molong, at the volcano and in the Sunshine Coast this year, plus is heading over for the NZ championships in March next year. That’s not the schedule of someone who’s indifferent about his performances and, after only his second year in MPO, Austin is another player in the steep part of his improvement curve.

Aaron Moreton

Another one of our Sugar Gliders, the Aussie Disc Golf Team that did so well at the WFDF Team Worlds, Aaron Moreton had deepened his connection and commitment to the game in the lead up to competing in Estonia and will no doubt have been made a better player for the experience. He’s saving himself for the Nationals in November though, so we won’t get a read on his form until then.

Reflections on the 2022 WFDF World Team Disc Golf Championships – By Aaron Moreton

Being Selected

January 10^th, 2022 will always be a significant day in my life. It was the day I was selected in the Australian Disc Golf Team to compete at the WFDF World Team Championships in Croatia.  In many ways it was a bit of a surprise: there are plenty of capable players in the country and I knew competition for places was strong. But instead of jumping and down with excitement, I had mixed emotions. With selection came the pressure to perform for my team, for my community, and for my nation – let alone the weight of my own expectations. I couldn’t take this honour lightly and figured it deserved some consideration before I committed. Was I really good enough to represent my country at Disc Golf? I guess there was only one way to find out.

The Journey to Varazdin

The journey to Varazdin started when I first saw disc golf in 2009.  A complete novice, with no disc sport experience, I could never have dreamed of where this sport would take me. Fast forward 13 years and here I was building a plan to ensure I gave myself the best chance of performing well for the team in Croatia.  It may surprise some that after my selection I decided to decrease how much disc golf I played in early 2022 – and no this wasn’t due to the wet weather! I wanted to condition my body to handle seven days of disc golf, with a combination of lap swimming and running. I also gave up Table Tennis, another sport that I regularly play that often leads to minor knee and elbow injuries.  I had to commit fully, that’s what the team deserved.

An increase in play came in May, which gave me three months to tune my game before departing mid-August. This involved plenty of putting practice and field work with Luke Bayne. The goal was to play well at some of the local Brisbane tournaments leading into the final weeks before departure.  I’m happy to say this went according to plan.

It’s been said that there’s no such thing as too much preparation. I had a simple response to the many questions from friends and family at home about our chances of success:

‘The winning team might not be the best disc golfers, but those that play best on the courses that week as a team.’

With that in mind we were the first team to arrive in Varazdin leading into the event. Four days allowed us plenty of practice rounds together across the two challenging courses, and time to deal with the jetlag we all felt. We held multiple intra-team matches to ensure we were in peak competition mode, both physically and mentally. We simulated the scoring and formats of match play singles and doubles.  There was no going easy on anyone in these matches.  Not only did we want to challenge each other and lift our performances, but I sensed quite a few players were here to prove their point and justify their selection to others in the Team. This process instilled a noticeable confidence in the whole group. I think we left the warmup days with a heightened level of belief.  

Wearing the Green and Gold

Receiving the Aussie jersey was a milestone of the trip and something I’d been eagerly anticipating. The evening before the competition kicked off, we held a presentation at the hotel with all players receiving their personalized team kit.  After a few motivational speeches from the leadership group and it was clear that the green and gold jersey carried an aura. We were no longer just disc golfers; we were now Australian representatives.

As soon as I got back to my room I unpacked my shirt, threw it on, stared at the mirror and just smiled. It is hard to put into words how I felt, but I remember for a few minutes that it seemed like nothing else in the world mattered. I was completely present in the moment.  I took a minute to reflect and acknowledge the people back at home who’d helped make this dream come true. Nobody climbs Everest alone. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. Pride in myself for the sacrifices and efforts I’d put in to get here. I was now ready to do myself, the team and everyone back at home proud.

The Fellowship of the Sugar Gliders

Leading into the event I was always a little curious as to how a team of players from all parts of the country would gel.  Especially as this was the first-time meeting for quite a few of us. From the handful of video meetings we’d had throughout the year it was clear that the player personalities were very diverse. Would people feel lonely or out of place? Would it feel weird playing doubles with someone you hardly knew? Absolutely not.  This mismatch of personalities was the secret sauce we needed for a cohesive team.  Everyone brought a fresh perspective and opinion to enhance the overall experience. Something that, I believe, proved to be a differentiator for Team Australia.

Disc Golf for the most part is anything but a team sport. Typically, you are entirely focused on your own game, not at Team Worlds though.  You need everyone playing well and find yourself bending over backwards to make that happen. This requires honesty, motivation and discipline.  Moreover, it requires every single team member knowing and owning their individual role in the team, whatever that may be.  We’ve all seen caddies before, but imagine a caddy for a caddy – yup, that’s how committed and caring to each other we were.

The one thing that stood out for me was that no individual felt larger than the team.  Every decision made, was done with the team’s best interests at heart. I honestly believe that our leadership group had it easy given the level of selflessness amongst the team. Everyone was totally focused on going as deep as possible in the tournament and if that meant putting yourself aside for a stronger player then so be it. They say that a strong team beats with one heart – no member of our team would argue this.

Battling the Inner Beast

Disc Golf challenges the mind in ways very few other sports do. The weight of expectation and fear of failure can crush you. Throw in the strategy and mindset of match play and this is a very different beast to what I was used to. Imagine then how amplified these feelings can be when you are representing your nation with the coat of arms on your shirt; no longer playing as an individual but as part of a team. This is something that is almost impossible to train for.

I entered the final group match against Estonia relatively calm and focused.  They were one of the top seeds for the event and possessed a seriously powerful team (they were the eventual champions).  I was tasked with playing singles against one of their top MPO players, Henar Ruudna, who was rated significantly higher than me.  Luckily it was on a section of the course that I felt was well suited to my game, so I believed I had a chance.  It started horribly, a misfire on the first hole meant I went down by 1 immediately.  Doubt creeps in, ‘how many holes will I last? This guy is way better than me’. Let those thoughts come and go, reset, and breathe.

If there’s one thing typical of Australian sportspeople, it’s that we don’t lie down, we fight to the end. I’m proud to say that every match I played went down to the last hole, something that might sound unusual to those unfamiliar with the format, but in match play you can win or lose very quickly.  Now was the time to fight. By the last hole Henar and I were all square.  Hole-9 is one of the tightest tunnel shots I’d ever seen, extending some 50 metres past the tee.  We fist pump and wish each other good luck.  Henar tees and hits a tree, presenting me with an opportunity to strike.  I disc down, hit the gap, and leave myself with a 5m putt for the win.  Five metre putts should be straightforward, but this was the hardest putt of my life. So many things going through my head.  I was no longer putting for the win but putting to defeat my demons. I made the putt and felt I’d justified my selection.  They don’t feel much sweeter! For the record, Henar and I swapped jerseys and shared some nice compliments at the end-of-play party.

We Rise, We Fall, and We Rise Again.

Disc golf is rarely smooth sailing.  Our run through the event had its highs and lows.  The quarterfinal loss to Canada was shattering and probably the low point of the event. The level of belief in the team was so high, so to lose on the final hole of that match was a hard pill to swallow. We genuinely felt we were capable of finishing on the podium. We played extremely well, and it could easily have gone the other way. Personally, it was a privilege to caddy for Luke Bayne that day and watch him almost lead us to the semi-finals.  

There was still time to leave on a high.  We could now finish as high as 5^th and with a laser like focus we lifted again to achieve the best finish at this event ever for Australia. A credit to everyone involved and reward for the time and preparation the squad had invested.

Playing for Peace

There is no greater story than the attendance of Ukraine at the event. Their attendance was only confirmed in the weeks prior to kick-off. Ukrainian men are currently forbidden to cross the border due to the ongoing war with Russia, so getting their team to Varazdin was no easy feat. Privately, I’d wanted to play against their side from the moment I heard they were a chance of coming. Ten years ago, I spent my 22nd birthday in Kiev and only have fond memories. I’ve always felt a special connection to the country and its people. This hope wasn’t about competition, it was just to be with them and show them that they have support from the other side of the globe. Given the standing ovation they received at the opening ceremony, it was clear that everyone there felt the same way.  Luckily for me the wish came true on the first day of play and I was paired with David Perry to play Doubles against them. I don’t think I’ve ever clapped so hard or cheered so loudly for an opponent’s throw – these guys knew how to play! In the end we tied the match, and personally, that felt like the perfect result.

Winning on and off the course

Winning the Spirit of the Game Award was a great way to top off the event. I know the team holds this recognition in high regard because it is earned through character not skill and assessed entirely by your opposition.  I’ve always believed that Australians pride themselves on fairness – so to be awarded this medal only further confirmed this belief.

But this was not the highlight for me. Nor was the 5^th place finish. Rather, I hold the bonds I’ve made with my teammates as the highlight of the event. I’m proud to call each one my friend and these are relationships for life.  Together we rise, together we fall, and together we rise again.

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

100 women across Australia played together as part of a global event that linked 129 events and 3305 women around the globe in a PDGA ratings-based scoring system involving 23 divisions. In  Australia we had 7 events: the WGE – Run the Chains at Chichester presented by Julie Ormston & partners, Melbourne Celebrates, Adelaide Parklands,  WGE Sydney 2022 Presented by Disc Connection, Dubbo, Run the Chains at Mundaring and Koala Park.  

After humble beginnings, with one event and 3 women competitors in 2012, the event has more than tripled in competitors in Australia between 2018 and 2019 and then grew by a further 14 percent in the last year.

Like in the other golf, women make up only a small percentage of players overall, anywhere between 5 and 15% depending on how this number is calculated. Through the efforts of many volunteers nation-wide, this imbalance is being gradually redressed with initiatives like women’s leagues and social days in  Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.

Central to this approach is the Women’s Global Event. In one sense it is an opportunity to encourage new women to try the sport, but the event also encourages Disc Golfers across Australia to reflect on how we can make the sport more inclusive of women and how to make their experience in the game more comfortable and enjoyable.

Stand out performers this year were: Gina Hill – 3^rd in FA1, Cassie Sweetten – 55^th in FPO, Gail Lynch  – 4^th in FA70+,  Jessica Holman and Lydia Philpott both finishing in the top 40 of FJ15 and, playing in her first ever tournament 81 year-old Merle Milentis, who finished 17^th in FA70+.

Encouraging too, was the fact that 5 of the 7 events had women as their tournament directors: Sue Summers in Mundaring, Julie O’Donoghue in Chichester, Janet Ford Adams in Melbourne, Emilie Cameron in Koala park and Lisa Wallis in Sydney.

As the chatter across social media over the weekend showed, this event has grown into having a spirit all its own and has fast become a valued part of the Australian Disc Golf calendar.

The World Team Disc Golf Championships are on 17 to 20 August. Last year Team Australia member Paul Noesen was kind enough to share with us some insights into his game and his outlook on the sport.

PAUL ‘NOISY’ NOESEN – WA – PDGA #24666

Q:What are your strengths as a player?

A: I feel my strengths are that I have many tools to work with; forehand, backhand, tomahawk, thumber, rollers…..there aren’t many shots I can’t utilise.

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

A: Gentlemen’s Club Challenge in 2010 playing MA1, I took second place on very little sleep and the top 3 received automatic invites to the National Amateur Disc Golf Championship which was amazing to experience.

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

A: I want to continue to develop a very consistent and dangerous putt, bring my rating up and attend Masters Worlds in the United States.

Q: Can you share a top form tip or something that substantially helped you improve your play.

A: The biggest thing that has helped me is to worry about what I’m doing and not how others are shooting. Don’t get angry at a mistake, think about what you can focus on or change to help correct it for future throws/events.

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

A: Calvin Heimberg – He is as cool as it comes, very focused and enjoys playing the game.

Best of luck for Croatia Noisy, so great to have you representing Australia on the world stage.

Playing Division: FP40 / FPO
Predominant Throw: Right Hand Back Hand

Q: How long have you been playing and how did you get introduced to the sport?
A: I’ve been playing for 7 years and got introduced to disc golf by my husband Ken, who also introduce me to ultimate a few years prior.

Q: What are your strengths as a player?
A: I learn and adapt to new skills and techniques quickly and am prepared to work hard to improve my game. My game improvement has been erratic due to a busy work-study-volunteering-life schedule over recent years, but it’s meant I’ve learned to work with the time I have, and find ways to maximise the training I do.

 Q: What is your best or favourite competition result to date?
A: I threw a 891-rated round at the Fantasy Park Open in February – my highest rated round yet – which was an encouraging result, and reflected the work I’ve put into my game.

Q: What are your disc golfing ambitions and plans for the next two or three years?
A: I’d like to improve my rating to 850 within the next year and set my sights on 900 in two or three. Being competitive in an international women’s masters competition would be cool – I would be rapt to find myself on a card with Des Reading or Juliana Korver one day. I’d also like to keep contributing to the growth of women’s disc golf, and improve the sport’s inclusivity for more people in the community.  

Q: Can you share a practice tip or something you learned that substantially helped you improve your play.  
A: Listen and learn from others, but also remember no-one know you like you. Take advice from a range of coaches and guides and use what works for you.

 Q: What top pro player do you look up to and why? 
A: Kristin Tattar. I first noticed her career while preparing for the World Team Disc Golf Championships in Estonia in 2019. I admire her for just being amazing by what she does and the way she plays her game: she’s a humble, quiet achiever.
 
Q: What is your favourite disc in your bag right now and what do you use it for?
A: I just started throwing my newly acquired Latitude 64 Royal Grand Grace with the Kristin Tattar stamp. I’m using it to get distance and a fairly reliable fade, which may change a little as I beat it in. However I love its glide and am keen to get some more Graces for my bag. Prior to recent throwing sessions I would have chosen my RPM Cosmic Pekapeka for similar reasons. Some love for our local manufacturer too: the Fourth Circle Discs mid-range Dingo is my go-to tailwind upshot disc.

Thanks Sue, we’re stoked to have you on Team Australia!