Unsung Players

[Halcón]

It seems that every course has its great player who is not a PDGA member, and doesn't compete in tourneys. These guys (or girls) just play to play, and they love the game.

Are there players like that in your area? Those that would kill it if they ever competed, but would rather just play casual?

 

[HyzerUniBomber]

There's an old dude I see playing on occasion. He's a bit of curmudgeon but I've played a handful of rounds with him.

Pretty sure he shot a -15 or better one round, I wasn't keeping track very well - but he didn't miss a bird at Johnny Roberts while I was looking. His putting was just ridiculous - completely on fire with a quick spin putt.

Asked him if he played tournaments and he said something along the lines of, "why waste my money and spend all this time standing around when I could be playing?"

 

[Mike C]

That was me I suppose, up until you guys talked me into getting a PDGA # I still haven't used it though.

Our best local players compete though. Mike Gaston (spelling?) competes a lot, but he isn't someone that's widely known outside of our area and circle of friends as far as I know. Phenomenal player though, probably the best I've seen in person. His putting makes mine look like a joke.

 

[scarpfish]

In some instances, these players do compete when they can, but its cost prohibitive in terms of time and money to do it regularly.

 

[smyith]

casual, league, and tournament rounds are all a completely different thing. i know some guys that will tear you up in casual or leagues but add the pressure of a tournament and they crumble.

 

[Halcón]

I think disc golf, in its pure form, is casual. So it makes sense that an unsung player who just loves to golf is not interested in the tourney scene.

 

[delaveagabeast]

I have lots of friends who play weekly doubles/singles and play amazing but never bother with tournaments for various reasons (typically time/family). Then again, that's basically me. Although I am planning to pop my tournament cherry this year at the ice bowl at stafford lake-- trying not to get my expectations too high, just going to play my game and try not to shoot too much over my regular score. Trying to prepare myself mentally so that I don't crumble if when I make some bad shots.

The thing that scares me a bit is that I play much better with a good pace/flow and can't stand people that take 45 seconds to line up a putt. *shrug*

 

[notroman]

casual, league, and tournament rounds are all a completely different thing. i know some guys that will tear you up in casual or leagues but add the pressure of a tournament and they crumble.

That was my buddy Eck. He plays every day and has great form...Can throw lefty and righty cleanly and accurately...Has over 400ft distance with both arms. Can also sidearm righty and is working on his lefty sidearm for those get out of trouble shots. Putting is good..

We got him playing tournaments last year finally and he hated it. Nerves got him, the pace of play was too slow, etc. Took him a while to get used to it but I think he's getting kind of excited about it now and is looking forward to 2014. He started putting together some 1000 rated rounds towards the end of this year so he should be a contender in MA1 locally next season. If he gets his head game together he might just blow everyone away and be called a bagger by the end of the season haha.

 

[Mike C]

The pacing can be frustrating, but the first win makes it easy to forget about it

 

[holly7845]

There's a girl in Michigan named Kelsey Brakel? She's rated like 935 and only plays am. If she played pro, she'd spank 'em all. She's so good!

 

[notroman]

There's a girl in Michigan named Kelsey Brakel? She's rated like 935 and only plays am. If she played pro, she'd spank 'em all. She's so good!

Played with Kelsey several times (and had her beat me many of those times). She is good. She prefers to play in men's divisions. Both because of increased competition and the fact that she enjoys beating up on the guys.

 

[ZAMson]

there was a man who I believed to be homeless and living in the park -- he had a bucket with some straps for a bag, and he was never interested in playing through groups, just content to chill at the tee and wait. I think he passed the time before the park gates shut for the night, playing disc golf. my guess from the few times I could really check out his game, is that he could throw 1000-rated golf.

basically a frisbee Lazlo

</mj>

 

[Ziggy]

</mj>

You talkin bout the 1000 rated homeless guy who depended on the goodwill of local folks to donate him some discs so he could cash out at tournies??

 

[DanJon]

I normally don't play tourneys due to my work schedule.

I do enjoy leagues but can rarely make them.

Been playing for almost 10 years, so I like to think I have a little skill.

 

[Toro71]

there was a man who I believed to be homeless and living in the park -- he had a bucket with some straps for a bag, and he was never interested in playing through groups, just content to chill at the tee and wait. I think he passed the time before the park gates shut for the night, playing disc golf. my guess from the few times I could really check out his game, is that he could throw 1000-rated golf.

basically a frisbee Lazlo

</mj>

Lazlo's a legend, won 32.8% of the prizes in the Frito Lay sweepstakes.

 

[krisnosti]

FREE time

I think that a lot of people who have been playing this sport for a minute realize that they don't need other people to validate their skills. All you need is a disc and some free time. Why encumber yourself with the restrictions that come along with organized play? A one hour round instantly transformed to 3 1/2 hours and 1/10th the amount of golf so that you can listen to the latest drama? No Thank You
I quit playing tourneys after I had to separate 2 guys from a fist fight. To each his own, I guess.

 

[bruce_brakel]

951 currently.

http://www.pdga.com/player/16007

 

[elmexdela]

i live in southern mn and majority of the good players are up in the twin cities. go figure

 

[threevok]

Saw what you did there ZAM.

 

[giles]

You talkin bout the 1000 rated homeless guy who depended on the goodwill of local folks to donate him some discs so he could cash out at tournies??

You talkin bout almost every touring pro??