Physics of Flight Veterans Edition 2019 by physicsofflight

EMPORIA KNOWS DISC GOLF... ...AND VETERANS DAY PAIGE PIERCE CLAIMS 5TH TITLE THANK A VETERAN PLAY DISC GOLF WITH A VETERAN

CONTENTS Publisher Jeremy Rusco Editor Laci Rusco Project Director Doug Bjerkaas Art Director Jacob Torkelson Design & Production Adam Harding Cover Photo Jacob Torkelson Photography Bobby Brown Denise Cameron Danny Lindahl Eric McCabe Christopher Nichols Jacob Torkelson Writers Doug Bjerkaas Courtney Elder Danny Lindahl Robert McCall Jeremy Rusco

FEATURES

Disc Golf is changing lives

Vets with ptsd share

Grow disc golf

Emporia Knows disc golf...

Play for a cause Veterans for Vets

Copy Editors Clay Houser Robert McCall Marketing Director Laci Rusco More information laci@dynamicdiscs.com 3601 W 6th Ave Emporia, KS 66801 Magazine Designed By Adam Harding

ADH GRAPHICS

and veterans day

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CONTENT 8 Disc Golf is changing lives 32 What is so odd VETS WITH PTSD SHARE About that? Paige pierce claims 16 Keepinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; it real 5th world title disc golf answer man highlights

22 science project

danny lindahl looks into the physics of flight

24 Grow Disc Golf play for a cause veterans for vets

36 rewards & challenges

disc golf courses on military bases

40 five favorites

including treasured veterans

52 Thank a veteran! 26 emporia knows disc golf... play with a veteran ...and gravel cycling and veterans day!

Brandon Clark US Air Force

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19th hole with doug bjerkaas

Hi Disc Golf Fans,

As you all have heard time and time again, at Dynamic Discs, we are always working on something! It feels like so much has happened since the last edition, and that is what keeps things fresh and exciting in my eyes; it is also what motivates me to get up early every morning to work in the disc golf world. If you are reading this letter, then you must be supporting Dynamic Discs in some way or another, and for that reason, I can’t thank you enough for the continued opportunity to call disc golf and Dynamic Discs my career.

Jeremy Rusco

I’m writing this letter at 36,000’ while flying to Nantucket Island for the Nantucket Open. This place holds a special place in my heart. Nantucket is where I met Todd Rainwater. Nantucket is where I watched Eric & Tina Oakley get married. Nantucket is where I learned about and experienced the Razz Round. The Nantucket Open is not an event that you want to miss if you get the opportunity. Todd Rainwater is now the owner of the Disc Golf Pro Tour, and I’m so excited about what this means for the future of the sport. Nothing great happens overnight, and it certainly won’t be an overnight change to see the DGPT go from what it is today to what it will be in the next decade, but we couldn’t have a better person behind supporting this tour and our professional players. If you ever get the opportunity to shake Todd’s hand, tell him thanks, and remember the moment. Todd is one of the kindest and most giving individuals that I’ve had (and have) the pleasure of knowing. Speaking of giving, this Physics of Flight magazine edition revolves around Veterans for Vets, which is something that I’m excited to see Dynamic Discs get behind. The home of Dynamic Discs and the founding city of Veterans Day is Emporia, Kansas. Dynamic Discs is fortunate to have veteran employees like Bobby Brown, Kris Edson, Brian Shintaku, and Scott Reek. Dynamic Discs has the Veteran basket as our premier championship level basket. Veterans for Vets is a way for Dynamic Discs and the disc golf community to provide for a local veteran organization and hopefully a way to introduce more players to the sport. For some veterans, disc golf has been the crutch to get them through some difficult and challenging times. We look forward to this new winter event series and want to say, “Thank you for your service,” to all who have protected our freedom. For more information: veteransforvets.com

Owner and Founder of Dynamic Discs

Kristin Tattar 2019 USWDGC Champion

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e t a l oco

Stop by the sweetest place in town for handmade chocolate Disc Golf souvenirs, including the bestselling Dynamic Discs Chocolate Truth! 803 COMMERCIAL ST NEXT TO GRANADA THEATRE EMPORIA , KS 620-342-9600 WWW.SWEETGRANADA.COM

Disc Golf

SAVED

MY LIFE...VETS WITH P T S D By: Courtney Elder

By: Courtney Elder

Within each local disc golf community, we often hear amazing stories about how the sport has helped someone in a specific area of their lives. Whether it’s to lose weight, bond with a loved one, or fuel some other incredible transformation, there’s no denying that disc golf is an activity that has far-reaching effects beyond just the course itself. However, can disc golf truly save someone's life as we know it? For countless individuals who struggle with PTSD, the answer is a resounding “yes.” It’s estimated that roughly 8% of the US population battles with this condition, and yet it’s a medical issue that many people still don’t talk about. PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, was first recognized in the 1970s after veterans of the Vietnam War began demonstrating symptoms, but you don’t have to have been part of active duty to have it affect your day to day life. The symptoms associated with PTSD vary widely and can range from discomfort in social situations and recurring nightmares all the way to suicidal thoughts and the inability to leave one’s house, plus everything on the spectrum in between. We spoke with several disc golfers from across the country to learn more about how disc golf has been a crucial element in making their PTSD more manageable.

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Paul Gutierrez US Combat Veteran

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but again, it’s not just entering into an overseas warzone that can trigger this condition. Sometimes the proverbial battlefield can land in our own backyard as it did for Jo Cruz, a former career paramedic in New York City. Jo now lives in Oregon but the sights and sounds he experienced on September 11, 2001, will always stay with him:

Brett J. Goheen US Combat Veteran

“I was heavily involved in the 9/11 rescue. [It was difficult to spend] many years on the job doing your best for every person you helped to then watch a major part of your community disappear. Close friends, our work family, and the people that never got to say goodbye to their families… all gone. I spent some time at Ground Zero digging and finding our people - all tough stuff when you are supposed to suck it up and move forward.”

It’s So Much More Than Depression How PTSD Began Unlike other conditions that affect our mood, post-traumatic stress disorder isn’t something that people are born with. It’s a result of having experienced trauma, thus the name, and doesn’t always set in right after a particular incident. Brett Goheen, a disc golfer since 2014, shared just a fraction of what lead to a PTSD diagnosis in his life: “On July 27, 2003, around 1:00 am, my squad was escorting two prisoners we had detained earlier in the day for possessing Dragunov sniper rifles to a detention center at Baghdad International Airport. I was a turret gunner in the last vehicle of a four-vehicle convoy. I was wearing night-vision goggles as we drove with no headlights down the MSR. My vision quickly went from everything looking grainy green and grey to bright orange. I felt as if my face had been hit with a baseball bat. I remember feeling the sensation of falling. I woke up inside the Humvee on the floor and began shouting ‘what was that?’ repeatedly. After a few seconds, my driver came to and yelled ‘RPG right side.’ I climbed back into my turret, shaking and trembling, to find all was quiet. Usually, an attack would start with an RPG or two and be followed up with small arms fire. There was nothing. The truck was still rolling down the MSR and as we approached an overpass, I told the driver to drive past it. They often shot at us from the overpass but our truck had been torn apart and the engine was destroyed. My driver told me to check on my team leader who was sitting shotgun and on the side of the blast. I crouched down to find him slumped next to the radio. I pulled him up in his seat and in the moonlight, I could tell it wasn't good. My team leader had lost his life that morning.” Brett’s experience overseas was just the first of several traumatic events in his life that ultimately led to self-medication long before he understood what PTSD was. Many other military veterans have shared similar experiences,

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Many people are under the assumption that living with PTSD means that you’re depressed from time to time and often experience nightmares, but the effects of this condition are so much farther reaching than that. Not only can the symptoms themselves be difficult to manage, but the feelings, and for many the guilt, around their diagnosis can play a major role in their ability to lead a normal life. One disc golfer, who requested to remain anonymous, noted that his PTSD includes feelings of “hyper-vigilance, very high anxiety, nightmares, live for the moment attitude, and [a] view on life and people, in general, [that] is permanently obscured.” Brett Goheen described how his PTSD plays a role in his relationships with others: “The worst part of PTSD for me is being angry at those you love for no reason and not being able to control that. Feeling uneasy about everything takes its toll and I think being angry is the easiest outlet.” Another anonymous player finds that memories can be triggered almost at a moment’s notice, leaving some very permanent effects on his life: “I always feel like I'm very short-tempered. I tend to be a little more vocal about concerns than I feel I should. Certain sounds or smells will bring back some pretty graphic memories which often throw me into a weird down mood that sometimes takes a while to get out of. In these moods, I would quit jobs for whatever [obscenity] reason [and] sit inside for days just feeling completely detached from the world,

like I was the only one having these issues. Like if I told anyone how I felt they wouldn't understand. Also, I sometimes feel like maybe what I have seen or done didn't ‘qualify’ me to claim PTSD.” Paul Gutierrez, a veteran and Port Angeles, WA resident, found that his time overseas not only affected him mentally but also physically: “For years, I denied the obvious facts that I was depressed and constantly lethargic. Occasionally, I would participate in recreational sports but the strenuous activities would tax my joints that were damaged while on active duty. Naturally, I am an introvert and my PTSD exasperated this character trait. My disability would affect my relationship with those close to me, as I had pushed many people out of my life.” It’s not just trying to be social or playing sports that become more difficult, as Jo Cruz describes going to the grocery store as “an epic journey in itself.” Goheen went through a period of time where he would sleepwalk around his apartment to make sure no one was breaking in alongside having regular night terrors.

Paul Gutierrez US Combat Veteran

Does Disc Golf Really Help? For most people reading this article, it probably sounds as if dealing with PTSD is a truly dreadful situation, and for those who don’t ever seek treatment, it can be. However, all of the people we’ve spoken with have been introduced to disc golf in one way or another, whether it be through friends or just random circumstance, and they wholeheartedly believe that this sport has helped immensely with their diagnosis. How can throwing plastic discs toward a metal basket help to alleviate the horror that so many people have witnessed in their lives? Dr. J. Branden Garland, an Oregon-based chiropractor and member of the newly established PDGA Medical Committee, explains that there is a true link between the benefits of the sport itself and how that translates into helping those struggling with PTSD:

“The Pioneer is one of my favorite discs because I can throw it both forehand and backhand, and I can work the disc on different line carving.” EMERSON KEITH

“Mental health and physical health are very closely tied together. How someone is affected by pain might be augmented by mental health issues such as depression or PTSD. Someone suffering from PTSD and depression can have a difficult time finding things that keep them active and provide a positive outlet for their issues. Disc golf is able to do just that. The obvious benefits of being outdoors and exercising can help someone physically, but it is the relaxation, clearing the mind, and act of playing a disc golf round that can truly be therapeutic for people suffering from PTSD and depression. Disc golf provides a platform for success, personal growth, outdoor relaxation and meditation, and a real reason for people to get out of the house.

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The community within disc golf should not go unmentioned, and I feel that along with playing the sport itself, it is the friendships you make that keep you coming back. Becoming involved with local disc golf events and clubs can give those who may have previously looked to hide away a reason to seek social interactions, which will work to improve their overall mental health and outlook.” Justin Servantez, who was diagnosed with PTSD after a serious car accident at age 19, mirrors Dr. Garland’s comments about the people around you when you play disc golf: “Disc golf gave me what no other sport was able to give me. It gave me my sanity back! Not only was I dealing with my PTSD in a very unhealthy way, but I was lost. Granted, like most things I do to the extreme, I was able to put my time and effort into a sport that was so encouraging. When I felt like I was at my ultimate low, disc golf and the community with it gave me self-confidence again.” Jo Cruz 9/11 Paramedic

From setting personal goals like trying to throw 300’, then 350’, and so on, to making new friends and simply getting one’s body moving, disc golf offers an array of helpful attributes when trying to keep PTSD in check. An anonymous player explained: “When I'm on the course, my mind is clear, and I'm around good people. It's kind of an escape from life, just like how I saw it when I was a kid, but for different reasons now as an adult and combat veteran. It's great exercise, gives you a challenge, [you] get to be social and interact with good people in a nonthreatening environment, and [it] gives you something healthy to focus on versus dwelling on your symptoms or resorting to drugs or alcohol.”

Supporting Those You Care About The stories we’ve shared are just a fraction of the experiences that people with PTSD have encountered as their love for disc golf continues to grow day by day. Sometimes, the symptoms of PTSD may go unnoticed by others, but ultimately it can only be diagnosed by a professional. If you suspect that someone you care about is struggling with PTSD, encourage them to seek out help, and then offer to play a casual round with them. Even if they’ve never thrown a disc before, there are lessons to be learned on the course. As an anonymous former Army sergeant said, “If you know a veteran that plays, just go with them sometime. You'll be with people you can relate to, and what do you have to lose? There's not a single downfall if you give it a shot. The disc golf community is filled with supportive people who do not judge. Besides, we have signed up for crazier things, right?”

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FREEDOM

DEFENDER

SHERIFF

TRESPASS

RENEGADE

UNDERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

OVERSTABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

GETAWAY

ESCAPE

VANDAL

HIGH-SPEED OVERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

HIGH-SPEED UNDERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

RAIDER

SLIGHTLY OVERSTABLE, VERSATILE DISTANCE DRIVER

HIGH-SPEED DISTANCE DRIVER

CONVICT

STABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

STABLE COMPLEMENT TO THE FELON

FAIRWAY DRIVER WITH A TRUE & CONSISTENT FLIGHT

CAPTAIN

ENFORCER

CRIMINAL

FELON

JUSTICE

VERDICT

TRUTH

EVIDENCE

WARRANT

PATROL

STABLE MIDRANGE

SLAMMER

UNDERSTABLE MIDRANGE

OVERSTABLE PUTTER

EMAC TRUTH

TRUE, STRAIGHTFLYING MIDRANGE FOR ALL PLAYERS

SUSPECT

UNDERSTABLE MIDRANGE

SLIGHTLY OVERSTABLE MIDRANGE

JUDGE

WARDEN

GAVEL

AVIATOR

DEPUTY

MARSHAL

OVERSTABLE PUTTER

PREDICTABLE, OVERSTABLE COMPLEMENT TO THE EMAC TRUTH

EXTREMELY OVERSTABLE MIDRANGE

UNDERSTABLE COMPLEMENT TO THE EMAC TRUTH

WITNESS

UNDERSTABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER FOR LOWER ARM SPEEDS

MAVERICK

SLIGHTLY UNDERSTABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

WIND-FIGHTING, OVERSTABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

SLIGHTLY UNDERSTABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

THIEF

STABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

PREDICTABLE, OVERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

HIGH-SPEED UNDERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

UNDERSTABLE PUTTER

BEADED, STRAIGHT-FLYING PUTTER

BEADLESS, STRAIGHT-FLYING PUTTER

GUARD

BREAKOUT

STABLE PUTTER WITH DEEP PROFILE AND GREAT GLIDE

EASY TO THROW MIDRANGE FOR BEGINNERS

Speed ratings are listed from 1 to 14. Discs with a higher speed cut through the air better.

PROOF

EASY TO THROW FAIRWAY DRIVER FOR BEGINNERS

Glide range is from 1 to 6. A disc with more glide is able to better maintain loft during flight.

EASY TO THROW PUTTER FOR BEGINNERS

ULTIMATE AND CATCH DISC

High speed turn is between -5 and 1. A disc with low turn has a tendency to turn right when thrown backhand by a right-handed player.

Low speed fade is listed from 0 to 6. A disc with high fade has a tendency to tail off to the left at the end of the flight when thrown by a right-handed backhand player.

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ȓ Year-round access to several professional disc golf courses, many of which are within two miles of campus – Peter Pan Park, Jones East, Jones West, Emporia Country Club & Hammond Park. ȓ Home of the largest disc golf tournament in the world, the Glass Blown Open, and host to the Junior World Championships. ȓ 96% placement rate for graduates. ȓ Lowest student debt load of all four-year public universities in Kansas. ȓ Millions of dollars in scholarships, including the Sunflower Scholarship for out-of-state students.

learn more and schedule your campus visit at emporia.edu

emporiastate

@emporiastateuniversity

@emporiastate

FLIGHT NUMBERS EXPLAINED IN DETAIL

= SPEED

= GLIDE

Speed ratings are listed from 1 to 15. Discs with a higher speed cut through the air better.

Glide range from 1 to 7. A disc with more glide is able to better maintain loft during flight.

= TURN

= FADE

High speed turn is between -5 and 1. A disc with low turn has a tendency to turn right when thrown backhanded by a right-handed player.

VISIT US AT www.latitude64.se

Low speed fade is listed from 0 to 6. A disc with high fade will tail off left at the end of the flight when thrown backhanded by a right handed player.

DISTANCE DRIVERS MISSILEN

RAKETEN

SUPER FAST STABLE DISTANCE HEX DRIVER

SUPER FAST UNDERSTABLE DISTANCE HEX DRIVER

15 3 -0.5 4.5

15 4

-2

BALLISTA PRO

BALLISTA

KNIGHT

CUTLASS

GLADIATOR

SUPER FAST STABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

SUPER FAST UNDERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

FAST OVERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

14 4

14 5

-1

14 4 -1.5 3

13 5

0 3.5

13 5

0 3.5

DISTANCE DRIVERS STILETTO

HALO

HAVOC

BOLT

RECOIL

SCYTHE

FLOW

SUPER OVERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER WITH EXTRA FADE

FAST STABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

FAST UNDERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

STABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

OVERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER WITH EXTRA FADE

STABLE DISTANCE DRIVER WITH EXTRA GLIDE

13 3 0.5 5

13 5 -0.5 3

13 5

-1

13 6

-2

12 4

12 3

11 6 -0.5 2

FAIRWAY DRIVERS MUSKET

PIONEER

ZION

CULVERIN

SAINT

BRYCE

FURY

STABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

OVERSTABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

STABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

UNDERSTABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER WITH EXTRA GLIDE

UNDERSTABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

10 5 -0.5 2

4 -0.5 3

5 -0.5 3

-1

-2

FAIRWAY DRIVERS STRIKER

SAINT PRO

FALCHION

XXX

EXPLORER

SPARK

RIVER PRO

STABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

UNDERSTABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

X-TRA OVERSTABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

STABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

OVERSTABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

5 -0.5 2

-1

4 -0.5 3

MIDRANGE

FAIRWAY DRIVERS RIVER

MAUL

CORE

UNDERSTABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER WITH EXTRA GLIDE

UNDERSTABLE FAIRWAY DRIVER

GOBI

FAST STABLE MIDRANGE

ANCHOR

MACE

COMPASS

FAST STABLE MIDRANGE

OVERSTABLE MIDRANGE

STABLE MIDRANGE

-1

-2

5 -0.5 1

MIDRANGE

5 -0.5 1

PUTTERS

CLAYMORE

FUSE

FUJI

SPIKE

PURE

SINUS

MERCY

STABLE MIDRANGE

UNDERSTABLE MIDRANGE WITH EXTRA GLIDE

OVERSTABLE MIDRANGE

UNDERSTABLE BEADLESS PUTTER WITH GRIP ZONES

UNDERSTABLE BEADLESS PUTTER

OVERSTABLE PUTTER WITH GRIP ZONES

STABLE BEADLESS PUTTER

-1

PUTTERS GAUNTLET

CALTROP

SAREK

DAGGER

MACANA

KEYSTONE

STABLE BEADED PUTTER

OVERSTABLE PUTTER WITH RAISED THUMB GRIP

STABLE BEADED PUTTER

STABLE DEEP DISH BEADED PUTTER

UNDERSTABLE DEEP DISH BEADLESS PUTTER

0 1.5

JADE

DIAMOND

PEARL

RUBY

LIGHT EASY-TO-USE DRIVER FOR BEGINNERS

LIGHT EASY-TO-USE MIDRANGE FOR BEGINNERS

LIGHT EASY-TO-USE PUTTER FOR BEGINNERS

-1

-2

-3

-4

-3

BITE

BEETLE

DOG DISC AND UTILITY DISC WITH EXTREME GLIDE

UTILITY DISC TO PRACTICE YOUR FORM

-1

UTILITY DISCS

EASY TO USE

IDEAL DISCS FOR BEGINNERS WITH LOWER ARM SPEED

PLASTIC TYPES RECYCLED

500

400

= PRO FLIGHT P

= AMATEUR FLIGHT

= BEGINNER FLIGHT

P P

FLIGHT PATHS IS BASED ON A RIGHT HANDED PLAYER THROWING BACKHAND

150

MORE INFO ON DISCS AT WWW.LATITUDE64.SE

120 P

300

P P

A A

200

B B

100

FEET

RUBY

PEARL

JADE

DIAMOND

MERCY

PURE KEYSTONE SPIKE

GAUNTLET SAREK

SINUS CALTROP DAGGER MACANA

FUSE

GOBI

CLAYMORE

FUJI

CORE

MACE

COMPASS

ANCHOR

FURY

MAUL

BRYCE

RIVER

FALCHION

SAINT

STRIKER

SAINT PRO

ZION

MUSKET

CULVERIN

EXPLORER

SPARK

RIVER PRO

XXX PIONEER

BOLT

RAKETEN

HAVOC

KNIGHT

BALLISTA

FLOW HALO

RECOIL

BALLISTA PRO

CUTLASS

GLADIATOR

SCYTHE

MISSILEN

STILETTO

METER

Disc Golf Answer Man By: Robert McCall

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Each Tuesday, Bobby (Coooooooool Daddy Slick Breeze) Brown, Eric (eMac) McCabe, and I, Robert (different nickname every week) McCall take to the live airspace on Disc Golf Answer Man to tackle listener-submitted questions. Most of the questions revolve around disc golf, but we also answer the occasional non-disc golf question about The Office, our favorite taco place, the fabled Torchy’s Tacos, or life in general. Occasionally, we have special guests stop by, and they bring new insights every time. Disclaimer: these questions and answers will be edited for clarity (and to make us all appear much more intelligent).

Pre-shot Routine Bobby: This question is from Nicholas. “Some players spin, flick or flip the disc in their hands as part of their pre-putting routine like Paige Pierce flicking the disc above her head or Nate Sexton spinning the disc between his hands. If a player steps up to their lie and accidentally drops their disc during their routine, does that count as a stroke? What if it falls closer to the basket than where their mini is? I’m working on my own putting routine and don’t want to establish a habit that risks an added stroke. Thanks guys!” Robert: In order to get a stroke, it’s more about intent than where the disc travels. If you are flipping the disc in your hand, you drop it, and it rolls away, nobody’s going to say, “You were trying to throw it.” Or for Paige Pierce, when she flicks her wrist above her head, what she’s doing is trying to get a good feel for her wrist follow-through before she putts. For those two, I would say no problem whatsoever. If the putter did slip out of Paige’s hand when it’s over her head, I find it extremely unlikely that someone would say she was attempting to make a putting stroke. What you don’t want to do is a full power fake out with the disc in your hand unless you are supremely confident you aren’t going to let it go. Think about Chris Dickerson’s warmup - he does a pretty much full speed practice shot before he throws or putts, and it would terrify me to do that with a disc in my hand for fear that I might accidentally let it go. That’s the only type of pre-shot routine I would shy away from if I were you, but if it’s obvious that you are not trying to putt the disc or throw the disc when you go up to practice, it shouldn’t be a problem. Just make sure that you don’t make it a problem, and be careful!

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practice shot before he throws or putts, and it would terrify me to do that with a disc in my hand for fear that I might accidentally let it go. That’s the only type of pre-shot routine I would shy away from if I were you, but if it’s obvious that you are not trying to putt the disc or throw the disc when you go up to practice, it shouldn’t be a problem. Just make sure that you don’t make it a problem, and be careful!

New Tees vs. New Pins Bobby: Andy has a course design question: “Hey DGAM Crew. Question for Eric. We have a local course which is a huge, heavily wooded, 10,000’ course. It takes 4.5 hours to play 18, and it’s a little unfair, but it’s still young. I want to make it more appealing to amateur players, so my idea is to use the existing tees and add shorter and more fair pins. Most courses have 2-3 tee pads with 1 pin location. Do you know of any courses with 1 tee location and 2 pin locations for each hole? Do you think this is a good idea? Thanks guys!” Each Tuesday, Bobby (Coooooooool Daddy Slick Breeze) Brown, Eric (eMac) McCabe, and I, Robert (different nickname every week) McCall take to the live airspace on Disc Golf Answer Man to tackle listener-submitted questions. Most of the questions revolve around disc golf, but we also answer the occasional non-disc golf question about The Office, our favorite taco place, the fabled Torchy’s Tacos, or life in general. Occasionally, we have special guests stop by, and they bring new insights every time. Disclaimer: these questions and answers will be edited for clarity (and to make us all appear much more intelligent).

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Eric: Jones West, Jones East, and Peter Pan for the most part have two pin positions that used to move around. Once we began running Junior Worlds, that sparked a need for some shorter tees on those courses, so it has changed over the years. It’s tough to say for sure in your situation, because the easier route to go would be to install some shorter tees. Think about it - if you put short pins in, then you’re only kind of helping out the beginner-friendly players, and you’re making the course very easy for the more advanced players. If this is a 10,000’ course through the woods and it gets a lot of play, you’ve probably got some pretty good players playing that course. The reason for preferring shorter tees instead of new pins is that people can have the option - do they want to play the long tees today, or do they want to have a more fun, easy round and play the shorter tees? It’s easier, it’s cheaper, and you don’t have to worry about coming in and moving baskets. Unless you’re talking about having two permanent baskets on each hole (which is possible if done correctly), I prefer keeping one basket on each hole so the other isn’t an obstacle or confusing to players. So my suggestion would be to do both if you can, but I’d recommend shorter tees if you have to choose one.

Control vs. Power Grip Bobby: This question comes from Josh: “I use a control grip everytime I throw. I can throw between 400-425’ consistently. Some of my friends said I should try a power grip for more distance. I have tried it a couple times, and I griplock more with the power grip just because I don’t normally throw it. My question - is the little bit of extra distance that I might get out of a power grip worth it?” Robert: Not for me. I do throw with a power grip and can throw that a little bit farther than a fan grip, but I’ve just become accustomed to it now. I don’t think that it’s a difference of 50’ - not so much that I think I would absolutely have to try it even at the loss of control. If you’re already throwing 400-425’ with a fan grip, man, stick with a fan grip, especially if you’re consistent with it!

Touring Disc Golfers Bobby: This question comes from Baize: “Hey DGAM fam, thanks for taking my question. I love the sport and watch all the professional tournament coverage I can. I’m wondering how many full-time disc golfers you guys think make a living wage off of disc golf through their contracts, prize money, and signature series discs. Thanks!” Eric: (jokingly) I’m the only one that I know of. Robert: Sounds right. Bobby: You almost have to qualify “make a living wage.” What does that mean? Paul McBeth makes a “living wage”, but it’s far more than somebody else who doesn’t make as much… Eric: (laughing) Which is every disc golfer! Bobby: But you see my point - you might have people who think “living wage” means McBeth money, then only McBeth makes a “living wage.” Robert: But if the question is: “For how many people is disc golf their full-time job?” On the men’s side, there are probably 40-50 of those people. Is that about right? Eric: Pretty close, but maybe a few less. I’m talking about full-on tour people, not players who are weekend warriors that go home and have another job or make money other ways. This is your job; you’re traveling, living out of your car, whatever the case may be I’d say under 50. Robert: I think so. Then on the women’s side, I’d say it’s closer to 10-15 players.

Eric: When I was doing it full-time - I’m still making money of disc golf now in a different way, but when I was playing, there were probably only 10-15 of us on the road total. We basically traveled in a caravan everywhere, and there were still the weekend warriors, so it was still a grind. There just weren’t as many people at that time, so it’s awesome to see the growth from then until now!

Random Concrete = OB? Bobby: Here’s Anthony’s question: “I played a course with my friend where there was a random square of cement along the fairway. Someone’s lie was on the concrete, and my friend called it OB. Is that the right call? Do random, 4’x4’ squares of cement in the middle of a park count as OB, or does there need to be a hard set boundary for it to be called OB?” Robert: This is a weird one, because there are sometimes little random concrete patches in parks - maybe under benches or tables. If you’re playing this course in a tournament, I would expect that the TD would address those areas, but if you’re just playing casually, I probably wouldn’t call that OB if it was in the middle of the fairway. Most of the time, concrete OB comes in the form of paths that play like OB rivers or roads, but unless your card agreed ahead of time that every last bit of concrete is out of bounds, I’d probably just let this one be. Bobby: Yeah, I’m thinking if it’s called OB from the beginning, then it is what it is, but there’s no set rule that says just because something is concrete means it’s automatically out of bounds.

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Special Edition Plastic Bobby: Detroit Dave has a question about Special Edition plastic: ‘What makes Special Edition runs of discs special? Is it a different blend of plastic? Different outcome of the mold like puddle top vs domey? Interesting mix of color? I currently have an SE Raider that feels like Fuzion and an SE Slammer that feels like either Classic Blend or Classic, and I’m just curious about what may have earned them the “SE” stamp.” Eric: I think the SE discs are a different blend of Fuzion. Another part of what makes them special is that we allow Buyback Retailers to purchase them first so they can have more incentive to drive traffic in their stores. But yes, I’m positive it isn’t totally Fuzion. There’s another new plastic out called Fuzion-X which is similar to the SE stuff that’s a little softer than Fuzion. I’m not sure if it makes them more stable or not, but I do know that they’re a different blend. Robert: That’s right. With the Slammer you asked about, I remember that was when we were doing a sort of radioactive symbol swirl that was intended to only be an SE design, and it was on Classic Blend. The SE Criminal came out at the same time, and they were silver and gold metallic lucid. SE plastic has changed from disc to disc, but we try to make it something that is special and specific to only Buyback retailers.

Sneaky, Sneaky Bobby: Jesse has a very short question: “How do you hide your disc golf expenses from your significant other?” Eric: (laughing) Get a new credit card. Robert: (laughing) Open a separate account. Bobby: Obviously, you should share your expenses with your significant other. You shouldn’t hide things like that in a relationship. Robert: I mean, before Shea and I were married and didn’t share our expenses, I always wanted to be upfront. Especially after we got married, if I had wanted to buy an expensive bag or something and she really didn’t want me to, it probably would have been a bad idea to just go ahead and do it. Bobby: If you need to figure out how to hide expenses from your significant other… Eric: You need to be with someone else. Bobby: ...you need to figure out just how significant that other is! We want to give a huge shout out to Bobby Brown, who served in the Marine Corps from 1993-1997, as well as the other veterans we have working at and sponsored by Dynamic Discs! That’s all for this special Veterans Day issue! We’ve always got questions coming in, and we’re happy to answer them for you. Thanks for the support, and join us every Tuesday at 2:00 Central for a new episode of Disc Golf Answer Man!

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Thank You

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954, as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting and enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain. In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower, Veterans Day Proclamation, October 8, 1954

DISTANCE DRIVERS WORLD

CATAPULT

-0.5

HIGH-SPEED OVERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

-0.5

-1.5

HIGH-SPEED UNDERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

SORCERER

0 3.5

-0.5

-2

SWORD

HIGH-SPEED DISTANCE DRIVER

HIGH-SPEED OVERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

DESTINY

HIGH-SPEED UNDERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

GIANT

WAR HORSE

KING

HIGH-SPEED DISTANCE DRIVER

-0.5

-3

BOATMAN

STABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

QUEEN

HIGH-SPEED UNDERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

OVERSTABLE DISTANCE DRIVER

control DRIVERS NORTHMAN

FORTRESS

OVERSTABLE CONTROL DRIVER

SAMPO

-1

AHTI

STABLE CONTROL DRIVER

-1

LONGBOWMAN

OVERSTABLE CONTROL DRIVER

midrange HATCHET

STAG

UNDERSTABLE CONTROL DRIVER

-2

PINE

-1

-2

UNDERSTABLE CONTROL DRIVER

WARSHIP

-3

OVERSTABLE MIDRANGE

TURSAS

STRAIGHT FLYING MIDRANGE

STRIAGHT FLYING MIDRANGE

BARD

UNDERWORLD

UNDERSTABLE CONTROL DRIVER

SLING

OVERSTABLE MIDRANGE

SEER

STABLE CONTROL DRIVER

UNDERSTABLE MIDRANGE

-2

ANVIL

EXTREMELY OVERSTABLE MIDRANGE

putters GATEKEEPER

HARP

SLIGHTLY OVERSTABLE MIDRANGE

SWAN 2

plastics

-1

UNDERSTABLE PUTTER

-2.5

MAIDEN

STRAIGHT, SHALLOW PUTTER

STABLE PUTTER

SWAN 1 REBORN

UNDERSTABLE PUTTER

SHIELD

OVERSTABLE PUTTER

CROWN STABLE PUTTER

flight numbers Speed ratings are listed from 1 to 14. Discs with a higher speed cut through the air better.

Glide range is from 1 to 6. A disc with more glide is able to better maintain loft during flight.

High speed turn is between -5 and 1. A disc with low turn has a tendency to turn right when thrown backhand by a right-handed player.

Low speed fade is listed from 0 to 6. A disc with high fade has a tendency to tail off to the left at the end of the flight when thrown by a right-handed backhand player.

PHYSICSOFFLIGHT.COM

For this issue of Physics of Flight, I have insight from 2019 FPO World Distance Champion, Paige Pierce, on doing what she does best: throwing for maximum distance. She threw 447’ in that competition - a full 60’ farther than her nearest competitor. Paige’s first piece of advice for throwing for maximum distance is to be careful. She says, “There are sometimes where it’s appropriate, and sometimes when it’s not.” The first thing she looks for is OB on either side of the fairway. If there’s danger, it’s usually better to choose a safer shot. For discs, Paige suggests a fast and overstable driver. That’s because a fast disc will have a narrower profile and a more aerodynamic flight, meaning it will have less wind resistance and, therefore, more distance. The reason most people select a more understable disc for most distance lines is the extra glide, but when trying for maximum distance, there usually isn’t a limit on height. By throwing the disc higher, a disc with less glide can get the same result as a disc with more glide. Also, throwing the disc high in the air will allow for the “full flight.” According to Paige, the full flight is “how the disc flies the farthest.” She describes it as “When you throw something overstable on a super turned angle and it pans as long as it can, but it still has enough time to get its full flight back out to the left.” Some of the terminology that Paige uses can be confusing, so I’ll break it down a little bit. A “super turned angle” refers to a steep anhyzer angle. For a right handed backhand throw, this is thrown with the left side of the disc above the right similarly to how a roller is thrown, except with a completely different disc and a higher angle of release. “Panning” to the right is when the disc is naturally fighting out of its anhyzer angle while moving from left-to-right along the fairway before fading back to the left. For technique, Paige likes to focus on footwork. Even in a smaller space, she likes to get her feet moving and try to build momentum to add to her throw. She says, “My last three or four steps are the same, but at the beginning, I kind of do like a little bit of ‘Fred Flintstone feet’ to build momentum in a smaller space.” She frequently takes sort of a running start but by running in place to help set her timing. When aiming, Paige says she likes to aim at the left side of the fairway so the disc can pan to the right without danger. However, the biggest variable when going for maximum distance is the wind. A tailwind is going to help carry the disc along and get more distance, whereas a headwind

PHYSICSOFFLIGHT.COM

By: Danny Lindahl

Disc Flight

will slow the disc down and try to turn it to the right. As a result, Paige’s advice for headwind drives is to keep the disc lower with less of an anhyzer angle to minimize danger. When throwing in crosswinds, a right-to-left wind calls for a bit more of an anhzyer angle, whereas a left-toright is best handled with a little less angle to avoid a roller. Distance is something that Paige has developed over many years of practice and touring. She’s known as the biggest arm in the FPO field, and she’s got the game to go with it. I enjoyed hearing her insight into throwing for maximum distance and sharing it with you. Thanks for checking out Physics of Flight!

Feels like a fairway driver â&#x20AC;&#x201C; flies like a distance driver SPEED: 10 | GLIDE: 5 | TURN: -0.5 | FADE: 2

By: Doug bjerkaas

By: denise Cameron

Play Local - Give Local - Support Veterans

Dynamic Discs and Latitude-64 will be rolling out another â&#x20AC;&#x153;tournament-in-a-boxâ&#x20AC;? option this winter. Following in the footsteps of the Trilogy Challenge, Veterans for Vets is a new event designed to meet three goals. First, it gives disc golfers a chance to play in an organized event during the winter months. Second, it provides an awesome environment for a disc golfer without any tournament experience to play in an organized event. Finally, it provides an opportunity for a local disc golf community to raise money that gets returned to that same community to organizations tasked with serving veterans!

Novice Female, Veteran Male, and Veteran Female. A player does not have to worry about the difference between Intermediate and Advanced, age-protected guidelines, or professional standards. The Novice divisions are perfect for these folks. They can just play. While trophies are awarded for the top three in each division, this is not the primary focus of the event. The focus is on playing for a cause. Having two divisions for veterans (or active duty) allows for the disc golf community to further recognize those who have served.

A Veterans for Vets event can be run anytime between December 2019 and the end of February 2020. The winter months of December, January, and February have fewer tournaments scheduled than in any other time of the year. As disc golfers are itching to get out and play, a Veterans for Vets event might just be the thing they are looking for. The downside of playing in the winter is that if the weather is cold, icy, snowy, or windy many players choose to remain indoors. When playing for a great cause though, players are more likely to buck up and battle the elements. Veterans have had to experience conditions much worse that some tricky winter weather. The least the disc golf community can do in return is to play disc golf in some winter conditions!

The organizer for each Veterans for Vets event is

Do you have a few buddies who have been playing recreationally and are ready to dip their toe into organized competitive disc golf? A Veterans for Vets event is a great start. The event is broken up into 6 divisions; Experienced Male, Experienced Female, Novice Male,

PHYSICSOFFLIGHT.COM

tasked with choosing a local agency or organization that helps veterans in the community where the event is played. Local American Legions or a VFW Post make for great recipients of the funds raised by disc golfers playing in a Veterans for Vets event. It is important that these events are played locally and support veterans locally. So how does it work? If a club or group is interested in running an event, they would simply go to the veteransforvets.com website and register their event. Once they have registered their event, they will begin to promote and get players registered to play. TDs can use discgolfscene.com for registration using a simple template already developed for these specific events! The cost for a player to compete is $25. The player will get to compete in an 18-hole round of disc golf and will also receive two commemorative discs. The $25 tournament entry fee is low enough for newer disc golfers to participate while being high enough to raise some funds for a local veteran-serving agency or organization! Once the TD has an idea of how many player packs they will need, they order these directly from the dynamicdiscs. com website. If the TD is nervous about not having enough player packs, they can over order knowing that Dynamic DIscs will buy back the unused player packs (in increments of 10 and as long as minimum numbers are met). The player packs will cost the TD $18 each. This leaves $7 per player registration to go to a local veteran-serving charity. If there are course rental or use fees, these may be taken out of the excess funds as well. Dynamic Discs will cover all shipping to the lower 48 and will throw in trophy discs for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in all six divisions! The fun part is actually hosting and running the event. Scorecards will be provided that the TD can use to track scores and determine winners. TDs can be creative in the format of their event. Singles, doubles, or even triples formats could be used. The event could have rolling flex start tee times. The event could be capped at 90 and have a shotgun start at a specified time. How the tournament is run is not nearly as important as why the event is run.

that disc golfers will be donating to local agencies and organizations driven to help the veterans in our country that served our country. Growing disc golf comes in many different shapes and sizes. Growing the support by running or participating in a Veterans for Vets event this winter not only promotes the sport, but it benefits a group of people to whom we should all be indebted.

Now for the real exciting news! If an event has 50 or more players, Dynamic Discs will ship a brand new red, white, and blue portable or permanent Veteran basket ($449 retail value) to the TD to use in any way they see fit. They can donate the basket to a local course, they can raffle the basket to raise additional funds for the local veteran-serving charity, etc. That decision is left up to the TD. Dynamic Discs has a goal of giving away 50 Red, White, and Blue Veteran baskets this winter to help celebrate the first season of Veterans for Vets events. While these baskets will certainly raise some funds, their donation will pale in comparison to the many, many thousands of dollars

PHYSICSOFFLIGHT.COM

EMPORIA KNOWS DISC GOLF... & VETERANS

DAY

PHYSICSOFFLIGHT.COM

By: Doug bjerkaas

Glass Blown Open

Seventeen years ago, Emporians Eric McCabe and Gabe Werly started the Glass Blown Open with big dreams. The first event was held in 2003 as a weekend PDGA B-Tier that had 88 competitors compete. The original trophies were designed and blown by world renowned glass blower, Hal Berger, and the trophies became the reason for the title of the event. The event has continued to grow year after year, matching the rapid growth of the sport of disc golf worldwide. The Glass Blown Open became the largest disc golf event in disc golf history in 2016 and continues to add to that record with more participants each year. 2019’s event saw almost 1,600 competitors and an estimated crowd of 2,500 when considering spectators, families, and friends of the disc golfers. Emporia has established and maintains the unofficial title as the center of the disc golf world. Disc golfers all over the world include visiting Emporia and playing in the Glass Blown Open on their disc golf bucket list. The now week-long event provides a huge boost to the local economy at the end of each April each year.

Dirty Kanza

In 2006, Jim Cummins and Joel Dyke planned and delivered the first Dirty Kanza 200 - an endurance bike race over 200 miles of gravel roads through the Flint Hills. Only 34 participants showed up for the first event, but as word spread and the event grew over time, 2019’s race hosted over 3,400 registered riders! As the popularity of gravel cycling has boomed in the United States, so has the Dirty Kanza. The impact that the race has on Emporia is sizable and is one of the main reasons that Emporia is considered one of the top gravel cycling locations in the world.

Veterans Day

Why is it important for Emporia to be associated with things like disc golf and gravel cycling? Susan Rathke: From a tourism standpoint, being associated

with disc golf and gravel bike racing is phenomenal, especially in Emporia. We are on the tip of everyone’s tongue when it comes to these two sports. Emporia is the destination in Kansas, in our country, and the world, to ride gravel and play disc golf. BUT, it is the events themselves, the GBO and the Dirty Kanza, and especially those that make them happen, that deserve the credit. Because of these two sports, the face of Emporia has changed. Locals have come out of the woodwork to enjoy the events and the huge numbers of visitors to town. I believe a new sense of pride for living in Emporia has emerged.

Danny Giefer:

Both of these events bring a lot of people from almost every state in the U.S. and also around the world to our community. This is a way of showcasing our community and who we are. Both of these activities promote a healthier community. With the large amount of out of town people that it brings in, they are also great for our economy. Both of these events are a lot of fun to watch, and they are a quality of life asset for our community.

Jamie Sauder:

Aside from being very enjoyable activities, there are several reasons why it is important for our community to embrace and continue to grow disc golf and cycling. First, they are rapidly growing sports/leisure activities and offer accessibility to a wide range of people and skill levels. Our location in the Flint Hills is particularly unique when it comes to the cycling community and our ever growing amount of disc golf courses provide ample opportunity for play, regardless of skill level. And while there is a cost associated with both activities, the costs are mainly start up type costs. Plus, you don't have to pay to get access to most disc golf courses or gravel roads. In the "value-based" world we live in, these are two activities that offer exceptional value as opposed to ball golf for example.

In 1953, Emporian Alvin J. King proposed that Armistice Day be changed to Veterans Day to recognize and honor all veterans from all wars and conflicts. Veterans Day was first organized and celebrated in Emporia in 1953. Kansas Congressman Ed Rees, also an Emporian, then took King’s proposal to Congress, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, also of Kansas, signed the bill proclaiming Susan Brinkman: Events like the Glass Blown Open, Dirty November 11 as Veterans Day. The first nationwide observance Kanza, and Halfway2Everywhere, bring thousands of visitors to our of Veterans Day was on November 11, 1954. (from http://www. community each year. Every business benefits from the exposure. allveteransday.org/) The community benefits in many ways and certainly our sales tax collections are bolstered. However, such events seem to be bringing As an Emporia transplant myself, it has become evident that visitors back for return visits throughout the year, which is beneficial Emporia is known for disc golf, it is known for gravel cycling, and to a small, rural community in the middle of an easily accessible "urban it is known for Veterans Day. These can be seen every day as our triangle" of Topeka, KC, and Wichita. town hosts events, rides bikes, throws discs, and honors veterans. I asked a panel of community leaders in Emporia a few things about Jessica Buchholz: These sports bring thousands of visitors our city and the activities and history that make Emporia great! into our community each year. Emporia has seen a positive economic Here is what they had to say: impact to the local economy in both the short and long term due to both disc golf and cycling. From the influx of visitors to our restaurants, shops, and hotels to new businesses opening up - the results are there. I think we have also seen an influx of locals getting out and experiencing these activities, promoting being active and having an overall healthier lifestyle.

Susan Rathke

PHYSICSOFFLIGHT.COM

Jon Geitz:

Unique activities like disc golf and gravel bike racing are important to differentiate Emporia from other cities in our state and region. They obviously drive attendance to the big events like the GBO or Dirty Kanza but also draw visitors year-round that want to experience the Emporia area outside the events. People looking to relocate often want quality of life features in their new community, and both disc golf and gravel bike racing are often mentioned as reasons why people moved to Emporia.

Allison Garrett:

Disc golfing and gravel bike racing are two great examples of the many types of recreational activities available to members of the Emporia community, as well as others from around the U.S. and the world. Huge events like the Dirty Kanza and international disc golf tournaments bring tourism revenue into the city and elevate the profile of Emporia. At ESU, we know that we have some students who’ve chosen to study at ESU not just because of the great academic programs, but also because of their ability to participate in these types of events while they are here.

Dean Hollenbeck: Emporia being the host of these

two high profile events, as well as being the founding city of Veterans Day, gives a sense of pride to our community and enriches our students’ experience as they receive their education in Emporia. They also encourage everyone to enjoy the outdoors and the greatness of the Flint Hills, one of the best places in Kansas.

Becky Smith: A lot of smaller towns get associated with

“nothing to do” or “everything is expensive”. These two hobbies/ sports specifically have very little costs and can be done basically all year long. There is no real “season”. Along with that comes a healthier lifestyle. We want people to associate Emporia as a healthy, vibrant town and both of these help support that.

Are there advantages to Emporia being the founding city of Veterans Day? If so, what are they? Bobbi Mlynar:

Community pride may be the greatest advantage to being the Founding City of Veterans Day. It draws people together in a common experience, despite their diverse backgrounds and opinions. There is a host of activities offered during our Veterans Tribute Week celebration, from the solemn memorial ceremony at the All Veterans Memorial to a patriotic stage presentation. They usually do not attract large crowds from outside our county, but that in itself is a plus; it means that many, many towns and cities across the United States hold their own ceremonies to express gratitude to veterans and those currently serving. It's not surprising, though, that in Emporia, part of the celebration includes biking and running events to raise funds for veterans' causes. We try to keep in mind that Veterans Day does not honor war or military actions; instead, Veterans Day honors and shows appreciation to those who were and are courageous enough to serve our country and its people, if and when they are called to do so.

Garrett:

Being the Founding City of Veterans Day gives Emporia one more reason to celebrate and, in particular, to honor community members who have served in the military. At ESU, our student veteran organization takes great pride in attending college in a town known for Veterans Day.

Brinkman:

When we think of being the founding city of Veterans Day, it is often with a nod to the historical significance. Perhaps another take for our community would be to use the importance of being the founding city as a sounding board, a bullhorn, if you will, for bringing awareness to the many struggles of Veterans: homeless, unemployment, lack of access to healthcare, and suicide rates. This would be a significant but important shift to the focus of Emporia as the founding city.

Smith:

It shows me mean it when we say we have pride in our active and retired military. I’ve been told, no matter what you did in the service, you get the feeling Emporia really appreciates you.

Steven Bazan: Again, it's a small claim to fame that we get to be proud of! It makes the Veterans Day parade such a special event, and it honors those who truly deserve our respect.

Rathke: Susan Brinkman

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Thanks to deceased local veteran Ken Bradstreet, Emporia received the honor of becoming the Official Founding City of Veterans Day. Ken pushed for the congressional recognition which happened in 2003. Shoe cobbler Alvin King suggested Armistice Day become All Veterans Day, Emporia Congressman Ed Rees, wrote the bill which passed in Congress, and President Eisenhower signed it. No other city can claim this honor, no matter their history. As the U.S. is continually involved in warfare, the importance of

honoring our veterans is paramount. As time goes on, we as a community have come together to find more ways to honor veterans and celebrate the peace, we enjoy because of them.

Is there a specific Veteran that you think of when celebrating Veterans Day? If so, who and why? Garrett: My dad, Wilbur Dabbs, was a navigator in the Air Force (pic attached). Several of my uncles also served in the military. I’m proud of all of them for their service and always remember them on Veterans Day.

Buchholz: Yes. Each year our family remembers my

husband's grandfather, Verlin Buchholz. A few years back we were able to sponsor a Veterans Banner for him, and our family often meets on Veterans day to take a picture with his banner. We have seen several families within the community take the opportunity to celebrate their loved ones in conjunction with the banners through family reunions and gatherings surrounding Veterans Day.

Do you have any other comments related to Emporia's association with disc golf, gravel bike racing, and Veterans Day? Bazan:

I have only lived in Emporia for two years but have been visiting here for the last 15 years, since my wife is from here. It is a pleasure to become rooted in a community that takes so much pride in itself. I have truly enjoyed becoming more familiar with disc golf, and have found a love for the sport just by living here! It truly is a great place to raise a family. Jamie Sauder: Emporia is a happening place and is a great place to spend your time, regardless of how you spend it.

Mlynar:

I have no doubt that the disc golf and biking communities have done much to energize us physically, emotionally, and economically. As a city commissioner, I'm deeply grateful for all the positive changes these events have brought to our city and to the people that call Emporia home. I can only hope that our visitors enjoy being here as much as we enjoy having them.

Buchholz:

and so they are veterans I think of every year.

Different works for Emporia. Having the world’s largest disc golf tournament and the number one gravel grinding race is something that makes Emporia stand out - and we like that!

Bazan:

Hollenbeck: We really enjoy having the disc golf course on

Geitz: Both of my grandfathers served in World War 2, I don't think of a specific person, but there are several teachers at EMS that are veterans, and they all have a special place in my heart. They work so hard serving their county, and then come home and serve their community.

Mlynar: I think of my dad and his WWII service, of

course, but the focus of Veterans Day needs to be on Army PFC John E. Cooper. Cooper, an ammunitions handler with Emporia's Company B, was serving in the Third U.S. Army in Germany when he was killed in action on Dec. 20, 1944, during an enemy counterattack in a forest outside Habkirchen, Germany. Cooper’s uncle, Alvin King, enlisted the help of another Emporian, U.S. Rep. Ed Rees, in a campaign to change the name of the existing national holiday, Armistice Day -- which honored only WWI vets -- to Veterans Day, to recognize all U.S. veterans. As Susan listed above, the rest is history. In 2003, Congress passed a resolution declaring Emporia as the Founding City of Veterans Day.

our campus. It gives our students an outdoor activity and is great for community engagement.

Smith: It has brought a sense of pride to all the generations of

Emporians. All three have put Emporia on the map in a positive light. So much to look forward to.

Rathke: As the wife and daughter of a veteran, I always

have them in my thoughts. But when celebrating Veterans Day, to me, it’s really about all veterans and those currently serving that I think most about.

Smith:

Always my grandfather, Bill Wygle, and my father, Rich Jaggard. Both made sacrifices most people will never have to make or can even imagine.

Allison Garrett

PHYSICSOFFLIGHT.COM

Our Panel

Bobbi Mlynar:

Commissioner and Former Mayor, City of Emporia

Susan Rathke:

Director, Emporia Convention and Visitors Bureau

Susan Brinkman:

Board Member, USD 253 Board of Education

Jon Geitz:

Commissioner and former Mayor, City of Emporia

Danny Giefer:

Mayor, City of Emporia

Steven Bazan:

Principal, Emporia Middle School

Jessica Buchholz:

Advisory Board Chair,Emporia Main Street

Allison Garrett:

President, Emporia State University

Dean Hollenbeck:

President, Flint Hills Technical College

Jamie Sauder:

Owner/Realtor, Coldwell Banker Emporia

PHYSICSOFFLIGHT.COM

Becky Smith:

Commissioner, City of Emporia

Other than disc golf, gravel bike racing, and Veterans Day, is there something else about Emporia that most folks don’t know about that they should?

" FROM ONE VETERAN TO ANOTHER

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE "

Susan Rathke

National Teachers Hall of Fame National Memorial to Fallen Educators William Allen White’s home

Jon Geitz

Emporia High school ESU sports Local shops Vibrant downtown Most importantly - friendly people.

VISIT

DiscGolfStrong.com/VET SUPPORTING VETERANS

Steven Bazan

Farmer's market and summer concert series The Granada Theatre

Allison Garrett

ESU! National Teachers Hall of Fame National Memorial to Fallen Educators

Dean Hollenbeck: Flint Hills Technical College Emporia State University

Granada Coffee Company ~ a place to restore your soul ~ 809 Commercial Street

620.342.4001

Bobbi Mlynar

David Traylor Zoo National Teachers Hall of Fame and the Fallen Educators Memorial Flint Hills Technical College Glendo Corporation Sauder Custom Fabrication Hostess Radius Brewing Company Twin Rivers Wine and Gourmet Shoppe Dynamic Discs

Susan Brinkman

The many seasonal festivals and the newest Halfway and No Coast events

Jessica Buchholz

Cinco de Mayo Celebration and the Dia de Los Muertos festival

Don’t forget to swing by

Poehler Mercantile Antique Mall Come for an item ~ Stay for an afternoon 301 Commercial Street

620.341.9092

Continuing HerLegacy By: Courtney Elder

PHYSICSOFFLIGHT.COM

5x World Champion Paige Pierce

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Every season is an important one if you’re a professional athlete, but when you want to make a name for yourself and stand head and shoulders above your competition with consistency, there’s a certain mindset that’s required to succeed. For Paige Pierce, her way of thinking has become second nature as she’s been competing for well over a decade. She’s stared down the barrel of the proverbial gun more times than can be counted, and her calm demeanor and focused attitude almost always allow her to prevail. At some point, one might think that winning event after event would cause a person to get a little too comfortable, but for Paige, her accomplishments only propel her even further toward perfecting her game and doing everything she can off the course to promote the sport of disc golf. Whether she’s traveling and teaching or seen behind the camera taking photos at huge events, it seems that there’s no part of the industry that she hasn’t touched. Pierce’s first-place finish at the 2019 Professional Disc Golf World Championships not only earned her a hefty paycheck but also continued to show fans that she’s capable of exceptional performance, especially when there’s pressure on the line. As many might know, she’s only secured World titles during odd years, with her first occurring in 2011. Since then, Paige has won this honor every other year, with 2019 only furthering the internet chatter that this will become a permanent trend. While her schedule is always packed with playing, travel, and more, we got a chance to catch up with Paige to find out what was going through her mind during Worlds this year. So many times, those at the top of the leaderboard are viewed as perfect players who never make a misstep, but even for professionals like Paige, there are always opportunities to learn and grow.

Practice Makes Perfect, Or Does It? Like other players on the pro circuit, Paige spends a great deal of time both mentally preparing for each event as well as really learning the course, getting to know the ins and outs of every hole. Competitors got a major bonus this year when it came to Worlds, as the courses used were just utilized only a few months prior for the Ledgestone Insurance Open in late June. “Ledgestone really helped me for sure. I was able to play a couple of competitive rounds and test out my game plan in that situation. On top of that, I was able to play four practice rounds on the new Northwood course which allowed me to feel very comfortable for the upcoming event,” she explained. Having spent so much time on both the Northwood Blue and Sunset Hills courses, it could easily be assumed that Pierce would step up right away and dominate - but that’s not exactly what happened. She carded a bogey on her very first hole and continued to alternate bogies and birdies for the first third of the round, and while things evened themselves out after that, a double bogey on hole 15 didn’t help. At the same time, other women seemed to have a better handle during day one and after a shaky start, Paige found herself sitting

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at +1 for the day. Countless numbers of competitors would’ve let this rattle them and affect the rest of their rounds, but as a seasoned professional, Paige knew that this was just the beginning: “18 holes in, I was not going to worry. I have been a fierce competitor for years and was still minded in the fact that there was so much golf ahead.” Not only were there 72 holes left to play, but she also found solace in having an immense amount of trust in her discs. While players might change up their bag from time to time, Paige has dialed in her plastic and knew exactly what molds to turn to for these courses: “At Sunset Hills I really relied on my Lucid Felon. There were lots of holes in that 300-foot range that needed a stable finish. This was my go-to for about 10 tee shots! At Northwood it was a different story though - I really relied on my Classic Blend Marshal. It is tightly wooded and I wanted to make sure to stay on the fairway. For both of the courses, I really relied on my putter, the Deputy. I honestly think the win came down to the putting green and I felt super confident with the Deputy in my hand.”

Under Pressure There’s a lot riding on a pro player’s performance at Worlds, but for Paige, it seems as if the pressure gets more and more intense each year. While she admits with a laugh that her trend of winning in odd years is certainly unique, she’s never given it much weight: “The only pressure I feel is from myself. I want to win all of them, not just on a specific year, so next year I will feel the same pressure.” It didn’t matter that a win in 2019 would’ve perpetuated the pattern, as she practiced immensely in order to be fully prepared. “This year I had a much different game plan. I practiced way more thoroughly and got a lot more rounds in. Honestly, I thought for a moment that I had put in too much time and that I only added to that pressure,” she described. Initially, it would seem that this stress wasn’t helping, as her second round didn’t quite make up for her first. Despite carding an eagle on hole 6 at Sunset Hills, longtime competitor Catrina Allen picked up five strokes on Pierce and, for a moment, looked to be ready to claim her second world title. Perhaps it’s this close competition that made all the difference, as round three saw Paige tightening things up with an improved circle 1 putting percentage and a more consistent performance across all 18 holes. By round four, it was clear that she had stepped on the gas pedal and had her sights set on the win, as she reclaimed those five lost strokes from Allen. While disc golf is an individual sport, there’s no question that having a closely ranked competitor at your heels does something to your level of focus, as Paige said: “I know if I am beating Cat, chances are I will be in the top 3. I would say she pushes me for sure - as the competition is playing better you are forced to dig deeper and I think we are good for each other long term.”

Paige’s Secret To Success The tension in the air at the start of the final round was palpable, as Pierce and Allen were tied for the lead and only 18 holes were left to decide who would be victorious. Disc golf is just as much a mental game, if not more so than it is physical, and tapping into an extreme level of focus is truly what allowed Paige to win. Her game plan for the last round? “Birdie. I thought I needed to shoot 6 to 10 under par and to keep the nerves as calm as possible. Everyone was going to be on edge and whoever stayed the most calm would end up prevailing.” In an impressive finish, Paige shot a 1018-rated nine down to secure her fifth World title. While the honor of being the

best in the world is certainly no small task, it’s just one of several goals that she had her sights set on for the year. “This was the pinnacle of my year, but that will not stop me from pushing myself to continue learning and expanding my skill set. I will be playing a few more events and looking to close out with another win at USWDGC and get a Grand Slam of all three Major Championships in one year.” If there’s anything we can learn from Paige, it’s that success isn’t simply bombing drives or collecting a certain number of trophies. She’s always going to be focused on the ways in which she can improve upon her skill set, better her mental game, and how she can make a difference within the sport. With a 5x next to her name now along with well over 100 additional career wins, we’d say she’s paving the way for female disc golfers around the world.

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Course Design By: doug Bjerkaas

Disc golf courses are located on a handful of military bases throughout the United States. There are several challenges in getting courses installed on these bases. We asked five different people about the courses they have had installed or are currently installing on military bases:

Name

Base Name

Disc Golf Course Name

Status

Patrick Holliway

Fort Benning Army Base

Fort Benning Disc Golf Course (Georgia)

Under construction

David Craig

Elgin Air Force Base

Post'l Point Disc Golf Course (Florida)

Circa 2005

Steven Duke

Elgin Air Force Base

Post'l Point Disc Golf Course (Florida)

Circa 2005

Stephen Watson

Joint Base Andrews

Andrews Disc Golf Course (Maryland)

Under Construction

Brandon Clark

Scott Air Force Base

Scott AFB Disc Golf Course (Illinois)

2018, Baskets currently pulled

What were some of the challenges getting the course installed on the base? Patrick Holliway

The major challenge was the initial funding. Once the funding was approved, MWR has really jumped on this and has been outstanding. Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: The U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation; the G9 Division of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command. Known as Army MWR, manages programs and services that support readiness and resilience for Soldiers and Families.

David Craig

Justifying the cost is a big deal. Courses are managed by MWR offices on base. As it's free to play, they make $0 and must show that there is interest in the course. With their very limited budget, those offices are responsible for multiple activities on base. Concrete tee pads are installed but the baskets are old and look like the original Mach baskets.

Steven Duke

Lack of buy in. Too many bureaucrats using multiple excuses to delay action.

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Stephen Watson

Getting support from higher leadership. Most come from a ball golf background and do not understand the logistics of putting a course in.

Brandon Clark

One challenge has been cutting grass on the course. The base contract only required grass cutting when the grass was at a height over 18 inches. This leaves the course over grown and loaded with ticks for most of the prime playing weather.

Was the local disc golf community involved in getting the course designed / installed? If so, how? Patrick Holliway

Limited. Some of the local club members have helped out with the manual labor part.

Steven Duke

No. This was a 'self help' project performed by members of the Civil Engineering Squadron.

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Steven Duke

Stephen Watson

I pulled a member of the board of directors of the largest DG club in Northern Virginia (NOVA DGA) and had him help me design the course.

Brandon Clark

Yes. I had help from Dave McCormick from Gateway Discs. He was helping me with scorecard design as well as possibly setting up clinics with professional disc golfers to help us grow the on base community of disc golfers.

Has the course been well received by the military personnel on the base? Patrick Holliway

So far we have seen a lot of interest in the course from military personnel.

David Craig

There are folks that play rounds with people in their work centers.

Stephen Watson

Yes, we have had a ton of interest from people on base that are

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excited to have a course on base. There isn't a course within 30 minutes of base, so this will be very convenient for them to play during the week.

Brandon Clark

It was very well received and was getting used all the way up until they removed the baskets.

Are there organized military-based disc golf leagues or tournaments held on the course? If so, please briefly describe. Patrick Holliway

We are planning to operate a league and working to host a tournament for our official opening. We have contacted a few local sponsors.

David Craig

I don't recall any leagues when I was on base, but Tyler Searle is a TD in that area who has hosted tournaments on base.

Steven Duke

No leagues. There was a tournament last winter co-sponsored by Trilogy.

Stephen Watson

Our plan is to hold monthly tournaments.

Brandon Clark

That was the ultimate goal but due to the base not willing to change the grass cutting contract and the military members not being allowed to cut it ourselves, the course is no longer set up.

Can the general public play the course? Patrick Holliway

Yes, but required to get an access pass to get onto the installation.

David Craig

Yes, when escorted on base by someone with base access.

Stephen Watson

General public can't play without requesting access to base. It will be set up similar to when the (ball) golf course on base has tournaments.

Stephen Watson

Start gathering the support for the base. Make sure that you stay on top of leadership to ensure that the idea stays fresh. Find people in leadership that play or think it is a really good idea, so that someone of rank will go to bat for the idea.

Brandon Clark

Expect it to potentially be a lengthy, drawn out process, requiring approval from many sources. It will move smoothly all the way up to having everything installed, and then base safety will require this hole to change and then base will require some sort of operating instruction on how the course will function along with all appropriate safety disclaimers and POC's. The short answer is to stay committed and see it through. After all the red tape has been cut, you will have something that will truly boost the morale of the base populus for years to come.

Summary

As you can see, getting a course on a base is a challenge, yet the results of a nice course on a base certainly can yield good results! If you are interested in getting a course installed on a base or know someone who might, please share this article with them!

Brandon Clark

It was our goal to organize tournaments and ace races where the general public could participate. We could get them access to the base so they could play.

Do you have any suggestions for folks interested in getting a disc golf course on their base? Patrick Holliway

Contact other installations that have courses and they will gladly assist. When we began this, I contacted and worked with Fort Gordon who hosted the 2017 Pro Worlds on their new course. They were more than helpful with assisting us with getting MWR on board with this.

David Craig

Have people fill out surveys for Outdoor Recreation/MWR on their base requesting a course. That will allow the base to gauge the level of interest. The more interest, the easier it is.

Steven Duke

1. Get 'buy in' from Support Squadrons 2. Make sure course has proper layout: 6 dog leg left, 6 dog leg right, and 6 straightaways. Make sure there are trees as obstacles to play around. 3. Install baskets and tees per PDGA guidelines. 4. Emphasize quality of life for active duty, retirees, reservists, and civilian employees. Emphasize family fun.

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Five Favorites With Our

TEAM

Paige Bjerkaas

1. Favorite Disc - Fuzion Judge 2. Favorite Movie - 3:10 to Yuma 3. Favorite Meal - My Mother’s homemade flautas 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Peter Pan 5. Favorite Veteran - My sister is my favorite Veteran because she spent a chunk of her life serving our country and now she spends her time being a mother. She has always been a selfless person and I look up to her in the highest regard.

Paige Pierce

1. Favorite Disc - Deputy 2. Favorite Movie - Seven Pounds 3. Favorite Meal - Any Thai dish! 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Peter Pan 5. Favorite Veteran - Bobby “Cool Daddy Slick Breeze” Brown!

Grady Shue

1. Favorite Disc - Lucid-X Getaway, because the flight is exactly what I would want for a controllable fairway, it feels good in the hand, and the most beautiful girl has her name on it! 2. Favorite Movie - Naked Gun. It's funny. 3. Favorite Meal - Jalapeño cheddar hot dogs and chips. It’s the best food to eat at a campfire or grill at your house - quick and easy. 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - 2018 Emporia Country Club. It was my first year ever to Emporia, and I remember being blown away by the course’s design and how pristine everything was. It was very fun to play. 5. Favorite Veteran - My dad. He's always been a role model to me, and he has always worked hard at what he does. He was stationed in Iraq while I was a kid.

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JohnE McCray

1. Favorite Disc - Opto X Saint Pro 2. Favorite Movie - Star Wars 3. Favorite Meal - BBQ Chicken Thighs with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Emporia Country Club 5. Favorite Veteran - John Edward McCray - The reason why and the reason I am who I am. He was amazing to say the least. Today is his birthday: August 26th. He flew helicopters in the Vietnam war and did 4 tours of duty there. He was given a medal of honor and 3 purple hearts. After I was born, he was getting into EOD: Explosive Ordnance Division. He was actually so good that he became a head in the field. He passed away from cancer from agent orange when I was 17. He was only 41 years old. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve lived my whole life trying to be half the man he was.

Chris Clemons

1. Favorite Disc - Defender 2. Favorite Movie - The Sandlot 3. Favorite Meal - Caesar Salad with Hummus and Pita Chips 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Jones East 5. Favorite Veteran - My Grandfather, the late Paul Clemons. He drove a tank in WW2.

Tina Oakley

1. Favorite Disc - BioFuzion Trespass 2. Favorite Movie - All 3 new Star Trek movies 3. Favorite Meal - Tortellini with Alfredo sauce 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Peter Pan! 5. Favorite Veteran - Bobby Brown

Kyle Webster

1. Favorite Disc - Westside Discs Warship (most versatile mid range I have ever used) 2. Favorite Movie - Without Limits (The story of Steve Prefontaine) 3. Favorite Meal - Carne Asada Street Tacos (Laloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Taqueria in Joplin,Mo) 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Jones East (Love the challenge of attacking the greens on that course) 5. Favorite Veteran - Both my grandfathers. The late Frank Webster and Gilbert Morphew. Both these men served our country thanklessly and provided a great future for their families.

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Five Favorites Zoe AnDyke

1. Favorite Disc - Bio Defenders and all Deputies 2. Favorite Movie - I watch sports! or can I say Game of Thrones? I don't really watch movies. 3. Favorite Meal - Spinach salad with a protein, goat cheese, and some seeds! 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Peter Pan 5. Favorite Veteran - Grandpa George Lawson, Navy

Eric Oakley

1. Favorite Disc - Felon 2. Favorite Movie - Ghostbusters 3. Favorite Meal - Sushi 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Jones Gold 5. Favorite Veteran - My Grandfather, Frank Petruzella, may he rest in peace!

A.J. Risley

1. Favorite Disc - Warden 2. Favorite Movie - Monty Python and the Holy Grail 3. Favorite Meal - Hashbrowns: smothered, covered, chunked, and peppered alongside a peanut butter waffle (Waffle House who would have guessed?) 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Emporia Country Club 5. Favorite Veteran - I don’t have one favorite veteran, but I do believe that entering the military is one of the most courageous things someone can do.

Zach Melton

1. Favorite Disc - Judge 2. Favorite Movie - Avengers 3. Favorite Meal - Breakfast for dinner = “brinner” 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Jones East 5. Favorite Veteran - All Veterans for putting their lives on the line for the rest of us!

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Dustin Keegan

1. Favorite Disc - Lucid-X Eric Oakley Felon and BT Medium Harp. 2. Favorite Movie - Game of Thrones? I don't really watch movies or TV. If you find me watching TV, it's most likely a sporting event. 3. Favorite Meal - Roasted Beets & Sweet Potatoes with Salmon and Quinoa on top a bed of Spinach 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Peter Pan 5. Favorite Veteran - My grandfather, David James. He was in the Army and has always been such a positive influence on my life regarding dreaming and achieving those dreams. He is a great man!

Missy Gannon

1. Favorite Disc - Lucid Escape 2. Favorite Movie - Inception 3. Favorite Meal - Pizza 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Peter Pan 5. Favorite Veteran - Chris Williams. We have been friends since high school and he was always unsure of what he wanted to do for a career. Shortly after graduating, he took a leap of faith and decided to join the Coast Guard. He joined in November of 2006 and served 9 years active duty. During that time, he was stationed in Alaska, Texas and Virginia and he also spent 1 year in the Middle East. He is currently serving in the reserves and has been for the last 4 years. I'm very proud of him and his dedication to serving our country.

Coda Hatfield 1. Favorite Disc - Gold Line Explorer 2. Favorite Movie - Happy Gilmore 3. Favorite Meal - Sushi 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Emporia Country Club 5. Favorite Veteran - My uncle - Great role model and a stand-up person. He’s someone that’s easy to look up to.

Robert McCall

1. Favorite Disc - Warden. Classic for putting, Lucid and Blend for throwing. I’m reminded how much I like Wardens each time I throw one. 2. Favorite Movie - Heavyweights. If you don’t know about it, you’re missing out. 3. Favorite Meal - Chicken Sopapilla from Chuy’s. Add in Torchy’s chips and queso and I’m in heaven. 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Emporia Country Club. I’m not a long thrower, so I love the challenge of the Country Club. Keep your disc in bounds and you can score. 5. Favorite Veteran - My grandfathers, Jim McCall and the late Ellis Owens. Both men served in the Navy during World War II. They are men of the highest character, and I have looked up to both of them for as long as I can remember. PHYSICSOFFLIGHT.COM

Bobby Brown

1. Favorite Disc - Maverick 2. Favorite Movie - Shawshank Redemption 3. Favorite Meal - My mom’s Arroz con Pollo 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Peter Pan 5. Favorite Veteran - My dad… because he’s my dad

Danny Lindahl 1. Favorite Disc - Fuzion Getaway 2. Favorite Movie - The Incredibles 3. Favorite Meal - Wild West Chicken Pizza (salsa, chicken, jalapeños, black beans, and cheese. It’s amazing.) 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Jones East 5. Favorite Veteran -

Anthony van den Heuvel

1. Favorite Disc - Toss up between the Lucid-X Maverick and Fuzion Raider 2. Favorite Movie - The Departed 3. Favorite Meal - Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza 4. Favorite Course in Emporia - Jones East 5. Favorite Veteran - My uncle Neil - He served 20+ years in the Army, Border Patrol, and Customs.

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Doug with daughter Lauren, Army Veteran

The 19th

Hole

Veterans Day is a special day for me. I have a grandfather, a brother, five uncles, six cousins, and a daughter who have all served our country, whether it be in the Army, the Navy, the Marines, or the Air Force. Active military members do not have all of the same rights that civilians do. They have rules and regulations they must follow that I have never even come close to having to abide by. I onced asked my brother, a retired Lieutenant Colonel (Army), how he handled being so restricted on the things he could and could not do as a member of the Army. His response chilled me to the bone. He simply stated that he was giving up some of his freedom so that everyone else in the United States could keep their freedom. I remember this when ever I see someone who is in or was in the military. Each one of these people gave up some of their freedom and rights so that I can enjoy the ones I have today. One of the benefits of living in a free country like the United States is being able to play disc golf. Most people on our planet will never even be exposed to the joy of playing disc golf. While disc golf is certainly prevalent in other countries, it is often the exception rather than the rule. We live in a country that both works hard and plays hard. I am so grateful that I live where I do and get to do the things that I do. This is in no small part on account of my United States citizenship and the great people that have served our country. Thank you, veterans. If you find yourself on a card playing with a veteran, make it a point to thank them for their service. Let them know that you are truly grateful that they gave up some of their freedom so that you can have yours. Better yet, if you know a veteran that has not played disc golf, take them out and teach them about one of the coolest things in America - something they served to protect. Thank a veteran. Doug Bjerkaas

By Doug Bjerkaas Dynamic Discs Tournament Director

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“ESB Financial is like family to Dynamic Discs and without their support, we would not have been able to keep up with our growth.” Jeremy Rusco

Owner, Dynamic Discs

Eric Porter

ESB Financial

Jeremy Rusco

A Dynamic Partnership for Success