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.
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.
Growth in WGE participation in Australia 2012 – 2022
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 – 3rd in FA1, Cassie Sweetten – 55th in FPO, Gail Lynch – 4th 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 17th 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.
Mundaring WGE TD Sue Summers with junior winner Lily Fewster
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!
A: My backhand drive is my strength. I can throw 130m with good control in most weather conditions which allows me plenty of chances to make birdies.
Q: What is your best or favourite competition result to date?
A: My first and highest rated tournament was the 2012 Jesmond Jam when I shot a 1012 rated tournament to take out the MPO division by 4 shots. My favorite and most recent tournament was again the Jesmond Jam. This time after throwing Kastaplast for only 3 weeks I was able to beat a good friend and fierce competitor Jonathan “JJ” Jonas in a play off to win in a nail-biting finish.
Q: What are your disc golfing ambitions and plans for the next two or three years?
A: My biggest goal is to win the Australian Disc Golf Championships. I figure my best chance is to do this in the next few years as the number of disc golfers and talent in Australia seems to be exploding! Having a player rating of 1000 would also be pretty cool.
Q: Can you share a top form tip or something that substantially helped you improve your play.
A: Form is not a big focus of mine. I think its far more important to just get out and throw bucket loads. If you throw hard in the field and practice plenty of putts, then whatever form you develop, you will gain confidence with it and will be able to execute your shots in tournaments.
📷 David Hill
Q: What top pro player do you look up to and why?
A: I am definitely team McBeth. He has the full range of shots and always plays his best in the critical moments. Looking forward to watching Paul win his 6th World Championships very shortly!
Q: What is your favorite disc in your bag right now and what do you use it for?
A: The Rask for sure! It’s a stable 14 speed distance driver that even comes with a bonus inner rim. It cuts through the air like nothing else and gives me the confidence to rip it down even the narrowest of fairways.
Cheers Chilly – Can’t wait to see you tear it up in Croatia!
Australian Disc Golf would like to welcome another accredited tournament director into its ranks. Jordy Wheeler is the third TD to mentored by Kris Kohout, who has a clear lead on our TD mentoring league table which can be found here among other information about the program.
Anybody who thinks they can handle the fame and glory of being either a TD mentor or ADG accredited TD, email secretary@australiandiscgolf.com and we’ll make it happen.
Q: How long have you been playing, and how did you get introduced to the sport?
A: I stumbled across the sport back in 2009 at Fehlberg Park Yeronga. I was watching my brother play a game of cricket across the road and during the innings break went for a walk in the neighboring park. Little did I know that Bruce McNaughton, Tim Marchbank, and a few others were playing their weekly round. I can still remember the exact place I was standing when I saw these guys crushing discs on the old Hole 8. It was too intriguing to simply ignore, and I guess the rest is history!
Q: What are your strengths as a player?
A: I’d say I have a relatively consistent game with an ability to throw confidently off both wings. My forehand is certainly something I lean on and I think many of the locals would acknowledge it’s a handy weapon. The game is a lot easier when you can trust your forehand and backhand stances!
📷 Jeanette Adams
Q: What is your best or favorite competition result to date?
A: Winning the RiverCity Ruckus in 2021 at Cadogan Park meant a lot. It was a course that I’d put a lot of effort into designing and delivering with the Brisbane City Council. To win the inaugural tourney on that course, as well as throwing an ace, was very satisfying indeed.
Q: What are your disc golfing ambitions and plans for the next two or three years?
A: Good question, I haven’t really planned anything beyond Croatia. Generally, I’d like to see my game continue to improve, along with supporting the growth of the sport in SEQ.
Q: Can you share a practice tip or something you learned that substantially helped you improve your play.
A: Find a style and strategy that suits your body and mind (disc golf challenges both). In doing so you’re more likely to be confident, stay calm, throw better throws, and resultantly have more fun (which should always be the aim!).
Q: What top pro player do you look up to and why?
A: I have a soft spot for Gregg Barsby who I was lucky enough to play with during the Aussie Open ’17. He’s a super friendly and positive guy both on and off the course, with a throwing style somewhat similar to mine. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him win the 2018 Worlds. I guess I might be classed as a Barsbarian!
Q: What is your favorite disc in your bag right now and what do you use it for?
A: I’m quite well known for throwing the Innova Thunderbird. I’ve got a few of them in my bag in different plastics and stages of wear. It’s such a versatile disc that quickly became a workhorse for me. Where possible, I throw a Thunderbird. I love this disc because I can throw it for both forehands and backhands with confidence.
📷 Rhinda Larsen
Thanks Aaron, it’s awesome to have you representing Australia!
Images by Rhinda Larsen & Jeanette Adams (thank you)
In 2016 the ADG engaged the public relations firm of Upshot, Chain & Cutroll to assist us in growing the sport of Disc Golf. They presented their findings to us last week. UC&C made it clear that there was one barrier to mainstream participation that stood out over all others – too many discs. It was UC&C’s position that new players are intimidated and discouraged by the ‘bewildering array of frisbees’. Some surveyed newcomers reported ‘being seized with the urge to run away’ when experienced players start talking discs. As UC&C stated clearly ‘new players actively fleeing is not good for Disc Golf’s brand awareness’. UC&C also helpfully pointed out that all the sports disc golf aspires to be more popular than, are played with a single, standard projectile: The Sherrin, The Duke, The Pigskin, The Spalding, The Gilbert, The Ultrastar – even Quiddich uses a standard broom.
Following these recommendations and in the interests of growing the sport. The ADG, after lengthy consideration, has decided to restrict all sanctioned events to the use of one disc. We’ve decided this disc will be the Innova Wombat.
The benefits to our game will be immediate: Trophy presentations will be shorter because pros will no longer give speeches thanking their discs. Retailers won’t need so many display racks. Disc Golfers will now have the cognitive bandwidth to talk about art, music, poetry and world affairs. There will also be less long-term orthopaedic issues arising from the carrying of heavy bags and pushing carts.
We understand that this will cause some minor inconveniences. Wombat supplies may be a short-term issue. Some disc and bag manufacturers will need to find jobs. Some 250m+ holes will need to be redesigned or made par-9. Plus, no doubt, several other consequences that we haven’t properly thought through. Adjustment to the Wombat Only Rule (WOR) will take some time. This is why we are giving everyone until the middle of next week, April 6 2022, before we ban all other discs and step bravely into Australian Disc Golf’s Wombat-only golden age.
We expect that the Aussie Disc Golf community will once again band together and embrace this new era in our sport with the same resilience and community spirit that we’ve always shown.
ADG invite you to join us for the inaugural ADG Women’s Workshop to be held via zoom on Thursday 24th March at 8:30pm AEDT.
The workshop will build on the momentum of the last few years to grow women’s participation in disc golf here in Australia. We have four great speakers lined up covering topics from running events to getting more from your game. There will also be time for questions and sharing ideas.
Everyone wanting to support women’s disc golf is welcome to attend.
Q: How long have you been playing and how did you get introduced to the sport?
A: I’m ADG member #39 – I started playing in Sydney in 2006 back when Albert Munoz, Sally Hill, Luke Williams and Kurt Karlsson were setting up a temporary course on campus grounds at Macquarie Uni. It had some fun shots, including a throw through the fountain.
Q: What are your strengths as a player?
A: I’m consistent and accurate, hit most fairways and approach well. I have less distance off the tee than most pro players.
Q: What is your best or favourite competition result to date?
A: Winning the first Jesmond Jam in a playoff against Martin Ryland-Adair in the pouring rain was a highlight, also it was so exciting representing Australia at the previous World Teams event in Estonia and competing against the big European teams with my friends and team mates.
Q: What are your disc golfing ambitions and plans for the next two or three years?
A: I’m excited to keep growing disc golf in the Newcastle and Central Coast areas, we put in a new (short) course at East Maitland in January which has been really popular and I’d like to keep that momentum going.Q: Can you share a practice tip or something you learned that substantially helped you improve your play. A: To echo Dave Bandy, “I just like watching it fly’.
Q: What is your favourite disc in your bag right now and what do you use it for?
A: Pro Cobra is my favourite for straight approach shots with glide, I have 2 very well used copies and will be sad when they break as I think they’re out of production in Pro plastic now.
Thanks JJ, fantastic to have you representing Australia for a second time.
