Here we go.
In late February, my tour begins. A tour around the country to play some of the best disc golf courses and compete against the best players the world. Is it warm in here? It feels pretty warm in here…
Getting ready for this has been a non-stop roller coaster of logistics, motivation, reluctance, fear, and anxiety. But no emotion is more present than euphoria – that I have this opportunity. Every step that I have taken this Fall, Summer, and Winter has been to prepare for this once in a lifetime adventure.
“So Kevin”, you might say, “why would you leave your career and home, in the town that you grew up in, that also happens to be one of the most beautiful and incredible places to live or visit?”
Well, I’m glad you asked.
While Tahoe / Truckee have always been home and have always felt like home, it’s time for me to say screw it, and have my midlife crises 20 years earlier than I planned. This is a leap of faith that I would regret not taking, and when comparing the trip of my dreams to retirement in 32 years, the choice was clear.
I love everything about disc golf. While it started as a casual interest after playing Collegiate Ultimate Frisbee, Disc Golf rapidly grew into a healthy obsession for me. When I moved back home after college I started to get involved in weekly leagues. My passion for the sport grew as I continued to progress mentally and physically. The work I put into my game culminated in 2018. I began focusing on my mental game and putting routine which translated to better performances in tournaments. Early in the season I got my first tournament win and followed it up with a second a few months later. Currently I have been building on this momentum to improve all aspects of my game in preparation for the 2019 tour.
As the saying goes: What happens in Vegas… hopefully is a great launch pad for the rest of the year.
The first stop is the Las Vegas Challenge on February 21st through the 24th. I wish I had some experience at some of these large events so I could drop some knowledge for you, but I’m a baby duck swimming for the first time in an ocean of barracudas. The courses here are riddled with out of bounds, distance, wind and the top pros in the world.
Bring it on.
While I wish I had more tournament experience, especially at this caliber, I am excited to be a part of this culture, see how I stack up next to these players, and share my rookie stories with all of you.
After Las Vegas comes Scottsdale AZ, Waco TX, Jonesboro AR, Emporia KS… the list goes on for another 17 major disc golf destinations. I cannot wait to play all of these courses but there are a handful that I am particularly excited to see for the first time and a few to play again. These include:
-Maple Hill
-Delaveaga
-Milo McIver
-Blue Lake
-Fox Hollow
-Brewster Ridge
This is obviously going to be a lot of traveling, and it will be a tad bit different than the 7:00am to 4:00pm 5 day work week that I have become accustomed to over the past 6 years. I’m motivated to establish a routine to fill my time outside of the tournaments. I plan on working out, doing art, writing, and hiking to keep me occupied. I want to try my hand at busking, taste some local beers, jump in as many clean bodies of water as possible, and hopefully go to a major college football game in the heart of the South. There are so many adventures that I am looking forward to. But enough of the boring stuff – back to disc golf.
I have been driving my roommates absolutely crazy the past few months with the statement “Of course, I’m a professional athlete”. This phrase has a broad spectrum of uses especially if a question begins with “Can you…” Well, they are about to find a new level of frustration now that I can say “Of course, I’m a sponsored professional athlete”.
I am honored and humbled that I can say, starting in 2019 I will be a part of the DGA Proline Team. This is a goal that I have been striving to achieve for the past few years, and I could not be more excited to represent such an incredible company. Established by the founder of disc Golf, Steady Ed Headrick, DGA has top tier discs for all levels of experience and produces the best baskets on the market. I am also excited for my new teammates. The friendliness, love and passion this DGA community brings to disc golf is inspiring.
Thank you DGA for the opportunity!
And again, I would like to thank all of you. This reality was once just a dream and without your support, love and friendship, it still would be an elusive white whale.
Do you smell that? Uncertainty, fear, jubilation with a dash of reckless abandon, and a hint of cheese?
It’s me.
This is the start of my adventure of a lifetime. There will be a lot of stories along the way. My main goal through disc golf has always been, and will continue to be, having fun and sharing this incredible sport with other people. I am excited for the music, art, travel and people, but ultimately I am most excited to see discs fly and hear those chains ring.
Discy Business 