Distance Drivers:
Star Destroyer 1x - Sort of a bully Wraith. Seems to be a little faster and a bit more stable. I’ve had some impressive shots with that disc.
Boss 1x &
Groove 1x- Both are new additions to my bag. I just aired the Boss 420’ into a headwind on a golf course round, which for me is BIG!
Pro Wraith 2x - Fast and under-stable enough that a guy without massive power can still get great glide with a solid degree of consistency. It’s keeping me in the game.
Pro Starfire 1x - Also has very good speed and glide. I throw this when a Wraith is too much. (But I’ve thrown it just as far)
Champion Roadrunner 1x - he RR filled a void for long turnover shots. I think this may be the best novice driver available.
Champion Valkyrie 1x (rollers) - The edge on a Valkyrie makes a very fast roller driver. Once you find the angle, you’re off and rolling. I have thrown a 600’ roller on a golf course.
Fairway Drivers:
Champion TeeBird 1x - The ONLY disc I carry at Max weight. I love the dependable flight of a TeeBird. Most stable disc in the bag. My “go-to” hyzer skip disc.
CE TL (First Run) 2x - Easily one of the best drivers ever made. If I were allowed only one driver, this would be it.
Mid-Range:
DX Cobra Classic 2x - Nothing beats the cobra for a mid-to-long straight shot that continues to fade right at the end. For finesse shots, the cobra often gives me an edge. My beat cobra is also a fantastic roller.
Ontario Roc 2x - I LOVE the way this disc holds a line. Slightly less stable than a Rancho roc. hrown on a long downhill shot with a bit of hyzer, it glides and stays on a line.
Putt & Approach:
Star Aviar (150 class) 1x - I don’t care for heavy putters. I grew up throwing light plastic and I prefer a disc that won’t drop out on the way to the chains.
Polecat (168g) 1x - My “into-the-wind” putter. I also really like the wide edge for turbo putting. And when I feel like bowling for birdies, this disc does well even at 168g.
Sonic 1x This disc speaks to my understanding of slow under-stable “floaty” putters.
Hammer - 1x I have been a devout “Hammeroid” since they were introduced in the early 90’s. I think it is the best short-range disc I have ever used. I use it for most of my tricky upshots.
Favorite
Disc Golf Hole: I've played 15,021
different holes. Gran Canyon #1 (Brooksville,
FL) was pretty cool!
Home Course : Bill
Frederick park @ Turkey Lake "T2 The Turkeynator"
par 61
Number of Aces: 85
Tournament Victories: 95
Longest Measured Throw
: 438' but I've actually thrown farther
uphill
What determines what division you play in?
Recent performance, purse, health, personal finance. Sometimes the course or the competition level.
Goals: Now that I’ve won the PDGA Open and Grand Masters title, I MAY go back and keep trying for the Masters Division. My 08 GM win was one stroke lower than the Masters winner (but we played easier courses…so I’m told)
Since hitting my big goal of playing 1,000 disc golf courses, I’ve started
worldchampiondiscgolfdesign.com because I want to continue to design and build higher-quality courses. Since I've played so many courses I have a good idea of what works and what doesn't.
There are so many poorly implemented courses going in the ground these days. I think the most important thing I can do for the game is to show, by example, that we can do better…much better.
I especially want to design and build a course creating topography, lakes, multiple tees and pins, clubhouse with full amenities. The course would need to be more spectator and camera friendly than most of the courses out there.
And, of course, I would stop at nothing to get another shot at the Gran Canyon.
What is your most memorable event?
How do I pick one out of 33 years of great events?
The 1982 U.S. Open Overall at Rutgers was astonishing. It was my first international event and I was completely amped up the whole time.
The most memorable competition was in the 1998 U.S. Open in Dallas. Stokely had shot a -14 in the first round and I only managed a -7 or so. Round 2 I tied it with about 6 holes to go and we pretty much birdied out to the last hole. Scott parked his drive and I put a roller right on track but a sudden gust blew it long and right. I had to run at it and missed it long. Scott beat me by 2 but it was possibly the best battle I've had on the course.
Seems to me that 87 in Toronto was pretty good too. And Dave Greenwell insured that the 2008 GM win wasn’t a cakewalk. The man has my respect.
What are your favorite events?
I can always count on Worlds for plenty of golf and the social aspect.
As for professional feel, can't decide between the USDGC and the Japan Open, Both are class acts.
For just enjoying the course, I was always partial to my baby in Brooksville, the Cross Canyon Challenge. I put a LOT of time into the course prior to big events and it was nice to be able to walk around and see how much people enjoyed playing out there.
What is your most memorable win?
I guess I should say the 1987 PDGA Worlds, even though it was kind of a blur. My first big win 5 years earlier at Bull Run Park in Manassas, VA was one of the 3 qualifiers for the '82 World Frisbee Overall Championships. It was my first national event. So, I was more than a little excited to take golf. I was -36 for 63 holes, no bogies for the whole tourney and an ace. (and I switched putters mid tourney)
Advice:
Start with something slow, understable, and lightweight. Learn to throw straight, left, and right with just that disc. THEN work up to faster, more stable, and heavier discs. Engrain the basics before learning the big horking anhyzers. You probably won't thank me later... but you should. Learn in a field and apply those lessons on the course. Aside from yourself, the course is your only competition. Also, try other disc sports. That knowledge can be applied to your golf game.
Any additional comments?
Darn proud to represent Innova Champion Discs. I hope to sell, design, build and play about a gazillion courses and get about 10 gazillion kids playing before it's all over.
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