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2023 PDGA State & Provincial Coordinator Candidates

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2023 PDGA State & Provincial Coordinator Candidates

Last updated: Friday, June 23, 2023 - 22:06

Each year, roughly half the State and Provincial Coordinator positions are up for election. Below are the candidates for the positions up for election in 2023 and their statements. Terms for these positions will run for two (2) years, from September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2025.

Alabama – 4 Candidates

Heath Goodwin #125172

Professional Experience: I have been an Radiology Tech since 2005. I love my job which has evolved into a Lead Ct tech. I also hold certification in MRI. My goal is to one day be a director of a hospital.

Disc Golf Experience

  • Been a Pdga member since 2019
  • Hosted more then a dozen sanctioned events in the last 2 years
  • Prodigy Street Team
  • Conducted several Clinics

Additional Information: 37 Year old radiology tech who is optimistic about the future in disc golf. I want to get as many people involved in the Pdga. My goal is to host 100 sanctioned events in the next 7 years.

Larry Burge #56147

Professional Experience

2019-Present Asterian, Inc. Huntsville, AL

  • Software installations and setup
  • Field Service and Training
  • Customer Service

2008-2018 eLab Consulting Services Atlanta, GA/Huntsville, AL

  • Scrum Team Product Owner
  • Customer Service Coordinator   
  • Field Service and Training Representative

2008 Ken Stanton Music  Atlanta, GA

  • Musical instruments retail store manager

2001-2007 Guitar Center Stores, Inc Atlanta, GA

  • Sales Manager
  • Assistant Manager - key holder
  • Pro Audio/Keyboard/Guitar Sales

Disc Golf Experience

  • PDGA Member since 2012
  • Rocket City Chain Gang President 2015-2017
  • TD for Rocket City Blast 2015-Present
  • NADGT Premier Team TD
  • Team Westside Discs
  • Team Skybread Discs
  • Staff for 2021 NADGT Finals in Austin
  • UDisc Volunteer at the Jonesboro Open 2021 and 2022

Additional Information: I've been running succesful touraments in the North Alabama area for the past 10 years. I have great relationships with the outgoing state coordinators as well as the PDGA event staff and look forward to potentially serving the other TDs in Alabama.

James Buxton #136961

Professional Experience: Disc Golf has always been part of my life and it started when I was introduced to the sport by my youth minister in the mid 1990’s at George Ward Disc Golf Course in Birmingham, AL.  I have had a passion and love for the sport ever since and finally became a full-blooded member of the PDGA in 2020.  It has been a goal of mine to serve in some type of capacity at this level and beyond, and to be able to use my talents to further the growth of Disc Golf, especially in Alabama, where the sport is booming.

With over 18 years of working in Higher Education, I have a great deal of leadership experience and managing a multitude of projects and strategic initiatives to serve important stakeholders.  I spent 13+ years in the state’s community college system and mostly in the student area working in many areas and positions, and finally completing my tenure as the institution’s Registrar. 

Currently, I work remotely for a California-based software company that helps Higher Education customers with better data reporting. Specifically, I lead a team that works directly with these same customers to make sure they are getting the most out of their products.   This includes being responsive, attentive to detail, and being flexible and nimble to react to different situations to best serve our customers.

Disc Golf Experience: My PDGA # is 136961 and I joined in 2020.  Upon joining, I quickly jumped into many of the local tournaments and leagues in the area, connecting with as many fantastic disc golfers as possible through events.  In just a few years, I jumped from MA3 to MA2, and secured an amateur sponsorship with Dynamic Discs Iron City, based out of Birmingham, AL, for the 2023 season.  

One of my proudest accomplishments is the design and construction of Humble Tree Disc Golf Course at CrossPoint Baptist Church in Argo, AL.  I serve as a Deacon and member of this amazing church whose mission is to reach “Just One More” to become a follower of Christ.  In 2020, with this mission in mind, and along with our Minister of Recreation, we set out to build a course where we could minister and welcome all skill levels to the church campus and the course.  The course opened in 2021 with 18 holes, with constant work being added to make the course even better.  Just this year, the course opened 4 new holes, which allowed for a small re-design to allow for a total of 21 holes. 

Humble Tree DGC has been used for many tournaments including the Magic City Mega Bowl and numerous flex events. It has become a passion of mine to constantly be iterating with the course design, which entails seeking out player feedback, listening to constructive criticism, and being able to serve an amazing population of disc golfers.

Additional Information: All of this has led to this opportunity to serve as the PDGA State Coordinator.  With my passion and experience, I am confident in my abilities to represent our great state and most importantly, serve in this capacity.  Thank you for your consideration.

Links:

Zach Cole #100766

Professional Experience: For my primary profession, I manage a class of a dozen students and half a dozen other instructor pilots. Management responsibilies include coordinating and scheduling aircraft for class as needed to stay on timeline with the course curiculum. After completion of sorties, I log and track the flight hours of each student for the day, and schedule the aircraft for the next sortie based on training requirements.

Disc Golf Experience: I have worked closely with Ben Swam over the years building a disc golf community in Southern Alabama through various clinics and tournaments both sanctioned and non sanctioned. Nearly 2 years ago I opened a small store Rotor Disc Golf Supply to enable me to further grow the sport in our local community.

Additional Information: MPO player, and member of Team Discmania

Alberta (Canada)

Jordan Alway #178300

Professional Experience: Over the Last 8 years I have run my own landscaping business and before that I was a plumber. After starting playing Disc golf I fell in love with art again and decided to go back to school for graphic design, while running my business with the end goal to either work as graphic designer for a Disc Golf Company or start my own business.

Disc Golf Experience: My love for Disc Golf started 3 1/2 years ago, It took me a year to really get involved in the community. 

In 2021, I jumped right in when I met James Koizumi on the course and he asked me if I wanted help the Calgary Disc Golf Club run a fundraiser event for the grand opening Currie reservoir Disc Golf Park. Where I caught the bug of organizing events and played in many Tournaments throughout that year.

In 2022 I decided I wanted to run a PDGA event. Where James Koizumi set me up with one of the previous Alberta reps and well known TD Don Annett to be my mentor. From there I got in contacted with the private course Park 96 in Calgary and hosted a Tournament there for the first time in years in the spring. From there I went on to Assistant TD of The 21st annual Lost Egg (B Tier) where I didn't play to allow the Elijah Issac to play in his last year of running the tournament, became one of the founding board members of the Aspen Meadows Disc Golf Club, helped with the Calgary WGE event and joined the commitee for Falcon's Flight 13 (A Tier) as one of the key organizers.

In 2023, I ran the first day and glow tournament in the Canada in the spring, opted out of playing in a tournament to help Carrie Neal with 2023 Dynamic Discs Tournament Capital Open in Kamloops, BC by being a course official, took over the Lost Egg for its 22nd year, on the board for the Aspen Meadows Disc Golf Club, on the organizing committee for Falcon's Flight 14 and I love helping out in the community where ever it is needed, from helping new tournament directors, volunteering at course work days to designing stamps for tour discs for local players.

My main goal as the PDGA Rep in Alberta would be to bring back an Alberta tour and have a provincials again at the end of the season. 

Arkansas

Matt Loyd #40462

Professional Experience: I've worked in disc golf in some capacity for over a decade now.  I dropped out of college as a parks and recreation major to persue running events and starting my own disc golf company.  In 2016, I went to work for Dynamic Discs traveling the country as a brand rep.  Today I own Dynamic Discs Northwest Arkansas and run events all over the country as part of my job. 

Disc Golf Experience: I joined the PDGA in 2007 and have ran over 130 PDGA sanctioned events as well as hundreds of non sanctioned events around the country.  I became the PDGA state coordinator in 2016 and has served as the state's coordinator since.  I've been a TD or course TD for every kind of sanctioned event from C Tier all the way up to the World Championships.  As a player, I've played in 171 events all over the country. 

As a state coordinator the state of Arkansas has welcomed it's first A Tier in our state's history along with a yearly Disc Golf Pro Tour Elite Series stop in Jonesboro.  I'm looking forward to continuing to grow disc golf in the state of Arkansas for year's to come. 

Additional Information: https://instagram.com/alwaydiscgolf?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

APO

Alex Worm #123529

Professional Experience

  • 12 years Active Duty Air Force
  • Held Pistions in
    • Logistics manganment
    • Event Cordination
    • Data Mangament
    • Asset utalization
    • Personel mangment and resources 

Disc Golf Experience

  • Hosted Multipul Disc Golf Events on Overseas military bases.
  • Worked With the PDGA over the last two years to get the APO state better reprsented and simplfiy the Process to host events on military bases.
  • Founder of the Military Disc Golf Tour, a orginzation helping the over seas military community run events and giving military members a new resouce.
  • Played PDGA sanctioned events in America, Asia, Europe.
  • Playing Sence 2009

California (North)

Kristine King #27725

Professional Experience

  • 2020 Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Certificate in Advanced Sales from Seufferlein Sales Program, 1st Place AT&T National Business to Business Sales Competition, Sweet 16 Finalist Pape Sales Competition, Deans List- CSU Chico
  • 2023 Master's in Business Administration- CSU Chico Cumulative GPA 3.905 Extensive Classes and Workshops in Excel and many other programs. Job Resume includes experience in Management, Marketing and Sales

Disc Golf Experience

  • Playing since 2000. PDGA Member since 2005 and 73 Career wins.
  • Poppy Series (women's disc golf tournament series) board member est 2010. This includes TD'ing the series finale every year.
  • Advocate for Women's Disc Golf.
  • Planned and ran (TD'd) over 40 events (Sanctioned and other) for men women and juniors.
  • Played 12 times for Team Norcal for the Team Challenge.
  • 2021 won Norcal Series Sportsperson of the Year. "in recognition for excellence and outstanding contribution to the advancement and enrichment of the sport of disc golf".
  • Norcal FPO Champion 2011, 2019, 2021, 2022

Additional Information

  • Full endorsement from current Norcal Coordinator Michael Guerrero.
  • YouTube Video

Colorado

Kyle Harrigan #47061

Professional Experience: Professionally I have spent 10 years in Operations Management within Retail and Dental organizations. Recently I have taken roles in Operations for the National Amateur Disc Golf Tour and am also the Warehouse Lead for Trash Panda Disc Golf. The vast majority of my professional career has been spent organizing and coordinating projects the people to more efficiently operate.

Disc Golf Experience: I have been playing disc golf since 2010. Shortly after starting I decided to join the PDGA and compete in local tournaments. After getting involved I joined our local disc golf club (Mile High Disc Golf Club) and the board of directors. I helped grow the local club in the area and began to focus on organizing events. I began running events in 2015 and look to run anywhere from 10-20 per year in Colorado. In 2022 I took over the State Coordinator role and have helped organize the event Schedule in Colorado for the 2023 Calendar year.

Delaware

Tim Stevenson #53575

Professional Experience: I was born into a military family in 1981 and moved around the Mid-Atlantic until finding myself in Delaware in the nineties.  After graduating Salesianum School in 1999, it took me a few years to pursue a formal culinary education; during which time I discovered not only disc golf, but the robust and enthusiastic community surrounding it.  Working for one of the oldest private clubs in the country for the past 20 plus years has afforded me the stability to start a family, foster dogs, and even sneak in the occasional round of disc golf. Creatively expressing myself and solving a constantly changing list of challenges in the kitchen is a uniquely rewarding way to earn a living.

I have served as the PDGA State Coordinator since 2019, during which time I've built a good working relationship with the Coordinators from PA, NJ, and MD.  I started a publicly accessible digital calendar of regional disc golf events.  I also worked closely with the DDG board and local regulations to bring sanctioned PDGA events back to our state as soon as was possible after the COVID-19 related suspension of play.

Disc Golf Experience

  • 2016 Delaware Am MA2 Champion, 3 time Canby Cookout Chili Champ
  • I've run Circuit Events over the years to raise funds for the DDG.
  • I was the Volunteer Coordinator for the 2018 DDGC NT Event, and have since been the Scoring Coordinator for the National Tour Events in Delaware.
  • I also coordinate the production and distribution of the DDG bag tags.

Georgia

Barry Arnson #28128

Professional Experience: I have been working for Lanier Parking Solutions (now Reef Parking) for 16 years in managing about 25 million dollars worth of assets for a variety of clients and property management companies.  My work keeps one foot in the world of accounting as I manage budgets, P&L statements and collections.  The other foot is the world of garage management with respect to the daily, monthly, event and valet operations. 

Disc Golf Experience: I started playing disc golf in 2005 as a way to get back in shape.  The plan originally was to get back to playing Ultimate but I quickly fell in love with the sport of disc golf from that point on.  It wasn't soon after that I signed up for the PDGA and played in my very first sanctioned tournament at Redan Park in Lithonia, GA.  Since that time I became active with the Atlanta Disc Golf Organization as their webmaster/CIO, then later as the Vice-President/CFO and lastly as President/CEO ending my term at the end of 2018.  I have seen the growth of disc golf in the state go from only about 20 sanctioned tournaments a year to now two or three on a single weekend.  I have successfully ran several tournaments myself for 14 years now. 

Additional Information: I was born in Stone Mountain, GA and grew up in Lawrenceville, GA for most of my youth.  After graduating from Georgia Tech I stayed in Atlanta for a few years while I settled into a career.  Got married in 2006 and moved to East Point and have been there ever since.  I live with my wife, Rebekah, our two girls Audrey and Violet.

Idaho

Carolina Halstead #113817

Professional Experience: I’ve been involved with business management for over 20 years with a concentration in retail and currently own a small business. In my spare time, I enjoy anything creative. This includes anything from IT to trophy making. I would consider myself a “Jack Of All Trades” because I usually engulf myself in the subject matter I find interesting to learn anything and everything about it.

Disc Golf Experience: I was introduced to disc golf about 5 years ago and fell in love with the sport. I jumped right into competition and became an active part of my local community. Seeing events/communities from different parts of the country inspired me to bring the best parts of them to our city. Now, in conjunction with my touring schedule, I because a Tournament Director and also help to run a local disc golf club. Our club runs multiple weekly leagues as well as series of sanctioned events throughout the year. Through our Tour Series Events, our club raises funds that go back into our community courses by ways of new tee pads, baskets, and anything that needs maintenance. We also work with local cities and their officials in hopes that by establishing positive relationships, we can grow our sport with them.

Indiana

Jason LaBella #33531

Professional Experience

  • TRW - Product Engineer (2006-2008), Quality Engineer (2008-2009)
  • Ivy Tech - Math Instructor (2009-2011)
  • Saint Mary of the Woods College - Statistics Instructor (2011-2012)
  • North American Lighting - Manufacturing Engineer (2011-2012), Quality Engineer (2012-2013)
  • ThyssenKrupp - Quality Engineer (2013-2014)
  • Columbian Home Products - Production Supervisor (2014)
  • Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology - Varsity Rifle Coach (2005-2015)
  • Performance Validation - Validation Engineer (2015-Present)

Disc Golf Experience

  • Started playing in 2005
  • PDGA member since 2007, Life member
  • Have played over 200 sanctioned events
  • TD of over 100 sanctioned events
  • Founding Member of Crossroads Disc Golf Club, currently serving as Club Treasurer
  • Wintry Indiana Frozen Fundraiser Series (WIFFS) Co-founder and series director, raising over $150k since 2013 for local charities across Indiana
  • PDGA Rules Committee Member
  • Co-TD of 2022 Amateur Worlds held in Southern Indiana, volunteer at 3 PDGA Pro Worlds (2010 NW Indiana, 2013 NW Indiana, 2019 Peoria IL)

Additional Information: Simply put, I love disc golf, and I'm sure you do too if you're taking the time to read this.  For me, it started as a substitute for the varsity and intramural sports I played in college, but quickly grew into something more.  By playing in and helping to run tournaments all over the state, I have developed lasting friendships with people from all walks of life while gathering a wealth of knowledge about running events from old and new TDs alike.  Having just joined the Masters age group, I recognize that my body is slowing down and my ability to play as much as I did a decade ago has dwindled.  Since my love for the game still remains, I have been taking a more administrative role in the game, like joining the PDGA Rules Committee.  Serving as Indiana State Coordinator is a role that I greatly enjoy, allowing me to continue to keep contact with players and TDs throughout the state, helping them run events, and sort out complicated rule issues.

Kansas – 2 Candidates

Cade Garrelts #40910

Professional Experience

  • 2021-Present: Manager, Programming & Video Content for a broadband & cable TV co.
  • 2019-2021: Marketing & Communications Coordinator for a cable TV cooperative.
  • 2014-2019: Programming Account Manager for a cable TV cooperative.
  • 2011-2014: Center Manager for a nationwide printing & shipping company.
  • 2010-2011: Account Manager for a custom-build computer wholesaler.
  • 2001-2010: Sales Manager for a computer component wholesaler.

Disc Golf Experience

  • Began playing in 1993.
  • Served on Board of Directors for the Kansas City Flying Disc Club (KCFDC), now the Kansas City Disc Golf Club (KCDG).
  • KCFDC/KCDG League Director & Course Coordinator in Olathe, KS for 9 years.
  • Currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Kanza Disc Golf Club (KDGC) in Ottawa, KS.
  • Tournament Director for multiple events, including the Midwest Amateur Championships, ParFlight Open and the Lift Coefficient Open.
  • Course Director for the Kansas City Wide Open.
  • Owner of FlightPlan Disc Golf.
  • Member of Kanza DGC, Kansas City DGC, Garnett Long Cedar DGC, Flying Bison DGC.

Additional Information

Hello Kansas disc golfers,

2023 marks my 30th year in the sport of disc golf. I began playing in 1993 at Crestview Park in Topeka, KS and quickly became hooked. Shortly after, I moved to Hays, KS for college and discovered Frontier Park and made some lifelong discing friends. I travel back to Hays every year to play in the Frontier Open and see those same great people. After college, I moved to Olathe, KS and began playing leagues at Prairie Center Park. Being involved with leagues and “competitive” disc golf for a few years transitioned into wanting to support the community in other ways. I served on the KC Flying Disc Golf Club Board of Directors and ended up running the league at Prairie Center for 9 years. During that time, I also ran a few unsanctioned tournaments and assisted the KCFDC with several projects. In 2022, I moved to Ottawa, KS and currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Kanza Disc Golf Club. This year, I am staying busy as a Tournament Director for the Midwest Amateur Championships, the ParFlight Open and the Lift Coefficient Open, as well as a Course Director for the Kansas City Wide Open.

I am running for the Kansas State PDGA Coordinator this year because I love this sport and have dedicated the better portion of my life to it. Over the years, I have witnessed what was once a large community become fractured. I would like to foster an environment where Kansas clubs feel at ease reaching out to each other, and myself, when you have questions or need assistance. I believe the State Coordinator should be here to assist clubs and TD’s as well as help grow and better the sport. If elected, I will do my best to build these bridges.

Thank you for your consideration,

Cade Garrelts

Matthew Schulz #120808

Professional Experience

  • High School Diploma and Graduated in 2018.
  • Worked at Miami County EMS for the last 5 years going from EMT to AEMT and just finished my Paramedic.
  • Worked at High Tech Relief Center as a web developer for 3 years while in High School.
  • Worked at Gerken Rent-All for 3 years and maintained and operated heavy equipment.

Disc Golf Experience

  • Started playing disc golf in fall of 2018 when a group of buddies and myself went and played with frisbees at our local park and became hooked ever since.
  • Have been involved in the Kanza Disc Golf Club since 2018 and have been the club President for the last 2 years.
  • Collaborated and worked with Maverick Disc Golf and the Kanza Disc Golf Club to be the
  • Tournament Director for over 10+ PDGA sanctioned tournaments.
  • Course Tournament Director for the 2023 Midwest Amateur Championships A-Tier.

Louisiana – 2 Candidates

Bubba Suchanek #97644

Professional Experience

  • Health and Physical Education with Teacher Certification @ Louisiana Christian University 2015
  • Master of Divinity @ Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 2023
  • Many roles @ Dry Creek Baptist Camp ranging in Recreation and Programming from 2011-2021
  • Assistant Intramural Director and Resident Assistant @ LCU 2013-2015
  • High School Coach (Football, Baseball, Basketball and Track) 2015-2019
  • Student Leader and Resident Assistant @ MBTS 2021-2022
  • Director of Residence Life at Louisiana Christian University 2022-2023
  • Head Boys PE Coach @ SP Arnett starting August 4th, 2023

Disc Golf Experience

  • Come from an Ultimate Frisbee background in which I was a part of LCU's competitive team Sorrow Bear from 2012-2015
  • Introduced to Disc Golf in 2014
  • Joined the PDGA in 2017 - Have participated in 80+ tournaments across the country (Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana and Illinois)
  • Have been a part of multiple Disc Golf Clubs (SWLA Disc Golf, DeRidder Disc Golf, CLDGA, KCDGC)
  • Help design Dry Creek Baptists Camps 18 hole disc golf course
  • Triology Challenge Tournament Director
  • State Coordinator of the USAMPC

Additional Information

Goals for State Coordinator position

  1. Have big aspirations to start a Louisiana Tour over the calendar year that would look like the Dirty Dozen Tour that is done in Texas
  2. Start a High School Championship through the LHSAA
  3. help install more courses in Louisiana
  4. highlight Louisiana Disc Golfers when they play or place in big tournaments through the USA (Ex. Am Worlds, Pro Worlds, DGPT Events, A Tiers, etc.)
  5. Serve the state of Louisiana in Disc Golf anyway I can.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoHtfU5TvWk

Facebook: Bubba Suchanek

Instagram: Bubba_suchanek

Health and Physical Education with Teacher Certification @ Louisiana Christian University 2015 - Master of Divinity @ Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 2023 - Many roles @ Dry Creek Baptist Camp ranging in Recreation and Programming from 2011-2021 - Assistant Intramural Director and Resident Assistant @ LCU 2013-2015 - High School Coach (Football, Baseball, Basketball and Track) 2015-2019 - Student Leader and Resident Assistant @ MBTS 2021-2022 - Director of Residence Life at Louisiana Christian University 2022-2023 - Head Boys PE Coach @ SP Arnett starting August 4th, 2023

Eric Blevins #262202

Professional Experience: Management level jobs since 1998. Owner of business since 2006

Disc Golf Experience: Avid player in the late 90s to early 2000's never was a member of pdga until recently when I got back into sport

Manitoba (Canada)

Eric Giesbrecht #80850

Professional Experience: Following high school I moved into a Manager Position at a local family entertainment centre. I ran that business for two years, before a quick stop at a local grocery store as a supervisor. I finally moved into sales in 2019, and have been in a sales position ever since. From 2019-2020 I handled highway signage, as well as a variety of smaller print publications. In 2021 I moved full-time into the Promotional Products & Apparel industry, with our Prairie Sky Promotions division. I have worked with a variety of businesses, including smaller local companies, nation-wide corporations, sports teams, religious organizations, and charity events. I currently build and help manage the "e-store" options our company provides as well.

Disc Golf Experience: I discovered disc golf in 2013, after my mom informed our family that we should try this new thing called "frisbee golf". I got hooked after throwing a disc golf disc for the first time later that year, and began playing tournaments in 2015. In 2017 many of our local members who helped run our local leagues and tournaments began focusing on other things in life. Thus, at 20 years old I began running our league and our annual tournament, and have been doing so ever since. My first win was the 2018 match play championships (Manitoba bracket). A few years later I got my first MPO wins, winning my local tournament which I run, along with another Manitoba tournament. I am looking forward to continuing to compete locally, as well as in neighbouring provinces and states.

Minnesota

Jason Wilder #17523

Professional Experience: My working career spans 34 years, and through that time I have held a number of different positions across various industries, including owning multiple small businesses. I have also an 'Interpersonal Relations Coach' with Dale Carnegie Training. Being a student of human relationships personally, educationally and professionally, I take great pride in being able to serve the various communities I am involved with and the disc golf community is right at the top of the list. I have enjoyed serving the state of Minnesota these last six years as your PDGA State Coordinator and would be honored to continue for another term.

Disc Golf Experience

  • Started Playing: 1998
  • Joined PDGA: 2000 (PDGA# 17523)
  • Events Played: 135+ (Majors, World Championships, A, B and C Tiers)
  • Wins: 6 (including two MN State Championships (MA2/MA40)
  • Tournament Director: 60+ events including A, B and C Tiers
  • Career Aces: 10
  • Career 1000 rated rounds: 0 (been within 1 stroke 3 times)

Missouri

Jack Lowe #15316

Professional Experience: I have been in the HR and recruiting field for 30 years now, and have had my own company, to working with Fortune 50 organizations.

My ability to talk and engage with individuals at all levels has helped me understand the simple and complex situations that life will throw at us.

In my roles over the years, the understanding as well that any and all information that I am able to provide does impact lives, and that is not something that I take lightly.  I know the impact that each of us have on the lives we interact with, and I feel honored to have that.

Disc Golf Experience: Helping understand the events, procedures, and working within our regional area is something that I work hard to do.  We have so many events now, that it isn't always easy to get an event going, I work hard to help where I can, but I am human and have made mistakes.  Learning from those mistakes helps prevent future ones, and believe me mistakes have been made, will be made, and corrections happen.  The goal to me is to ensure we can all enjoy the game, and learning is a life long mission for me.  Mistakes come, and lessons learned.  I became state coordinator by accident, and I have enjoyed it.  I love meeting new leaders to our sport, and hope that my experience can help others new to the sport, or encourage those that have done it in the past to continue with minimal disruption to their goals.

I know that this asked for a YouTube link, but I have a great face for radio, and well reading this already is probably enough of me for you.  ;-) 

I will close with this.  I would appreciate your vote, and I would appreciate it more if you voted regardless.  This is one of those things that I get sad when I win with 4 votes, because I know that there are more than 4 people running events, so not even those running events voted for me.....however, I am happy if you made it this far, and truly the most important item is to have fun in our sport.  Thank those running events, because generally it is a thankless job out of love for the sport.  Appreciate those that give for you to enjoy, and finally introduce the sport to someone new.  Your impression may last a lifetime of fun and energy that you have no idea about today.  Who would have thought that I would get to meet the guy that set up a temp course in Ottumwa Iowa in 1978 this late in life only to let him know that the impression he made on me was one that I cherish to this day.

Thanks for reading.  Please vote, for me would be great, but just vote!

Additional Information

  • Started playing in 1978--started regularly playing in 1984, finally joined the PDGA in 1999. 
  • Tournament Director--PDGA AM Worlds in 2003
  • Tournament Director--PDGA Pro/Am Worlds in 2009
  • Tournament Director for multiple NT's, A, B, C Tiers over the years
  • Played over 700 courses
  • Designed or helped with designs on over 20 courses
  • Ran over 100 events, given away over $1,500,000 in cash and prizes on those events
  • Have been on the Kansas City Disc Golf Club Board of Directors or Executive Committee for most of the past 2 decades (KCFDC and KCDG)
  • Past PDGA Marshal
  • Continue to help drive community initiatives to promote the sport
  • Travel regularly to play events, Japan, Thailand, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, just to show the difference, and hey I had a 1000+ rated Round at the Japan Open, I followed it up with a Sub 900 round, so I mean there is that!  :-)

Nebraska

Jake Hedden #114451

Professional Experience: I am employed by the BraveBe Child Advocacy Center in Lincoln, Nebraska as a Multipdisciplinary Coordinator. I have worked at the CAC for 7 years and wear many different hats. In my current role, I am tasked with reading all of the child abuse & neglect intakes, for 5 counties in Southeast Nebraska, received by the Nebraska Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline and ensure statutory services are being provided to kids who experienced abuse or neglect, primarily sexual abuse. I work closely with law enforcement, Department of Health & Human Services case workers, county attorneys, and various other community partners to promote fruitful investigations that hold offenders accountable and ensure children and families have access to services to help them heal.

In addition to my role as MDT coordinator, I serve as a trainer on various topics within child welfare, and have presented on 'Male Victims' at national conferences throughout the United States. Previous to my current role, I was a Forensic Interviewer for 5 years, in which I interviewed child victims and witnesses on behalf of law enforcement and case workers to collect factual statements. Specifically, my areas of expertise as an interviewer were children who witnessed homicide/suicide incidents, experienced internet crimes, and interviewing children recovered from trafficking situations. 

Disc Golf Experience: I am currently a co-owner and founding member of Disc Gauntlet LLC, a disc golf events business that runs between 25-30 events, both sanctioned and non-sanctioned throughout the year across Nebraska. I serve as the primary tournament director for our events. Disc Gauntlet also provides vending for other tournaments in our area, supports local clubs across the state, and works with multiple philanthropic causes via hosting disc golf events. I have been the tournament director or assited with A-C tier events.

In my local community, I served on the board of the Lincoln Flying Disc Club for 5 years in various capacities, most recently as the Vice President. During my time on the board, in addition to running successful events and leagues, the board was able to secure a non-profit, 501c3 status, update and/or upgrade our courses through fundraisers, and was beginning work on Lincoln's newest course when I stepped off of the board. I have remained an active member of the LFDC and have joined other clubs throughout the state.

In recent years, I have worked with the Nebraska State Coordinator and hosted a Nebraska Tournament Director meeting at my office in which all tournament directors in the state are invited for dinner and discussion about Nebraska disc golf. During that meeting, we go through the calendar and work to create a schedule with minimal overlap and maximize potential for collaboration across the state.

Currently, I am promoting and tournament director for the Haymarket Open, a fundraiser disc golf tournament benefitting the BraveBe Child Advocacy Center at our local semi-professional baseball teams stadium.

Additional Information: In addition to disc golf and work, I am the proud father of a 5 year old boy, 3 year old girl, and 8 month old triplet boys.

New Hampshire

Charlie Veysey #75861

Professional Experience: For the last 12 years, I've worked in the Architectural Industry working my way up from a intern to now working in every phase of design process. This has rewarded me with skills of forward thinking, seeing issues before they arise. It has taught me many interpersonal skills that will and have been beneficial in a state coordinators role. As mentioned previously, I have knowledge of the inner workings of non-profits and specifically within the sport of disc golf.

Disc Golf Experience: Hello fellow PDGA members! I'm running for re-election for the position of New Hampshire State Coordinator. I've been a PDGA member since 2015 and have been playing the sport since 2006. I feel I'm qualified and eager to bring to the forefront some of the issues that have been discouraging growth here in NH and the surrounding regions. Currently, I'm the President of a non-profit, The Granite State Disc Golf Association, and promoting the only tour series here in the state, The Granite State Tour. I've been a Board Member of The Live Free and Drive Tour from 2017-2020. The growth of disc golf is very exciting and I think I've done a good job in scheduling around other event, have a very solid reputation amongst players here in the state and perhaps most importantly willing to invest my time for the betterment of this sport we all love.

I've been a PDGA member since 2015 started playing in 2006. I've played in everything from unsanctioned events, local C-tiers, all the way to PDGA World Championships. I've been lucky enough to be featured on a lead card on a Youtube recorded round and even won! I've been lucky to have found this great sport and with its continued growth, I'd like to be even more involved in the inner workings of this great sport. I'd be honored to have your vote and take the task with great pride. My goal is to bring disc golf back to the players and provide an avenue for bigger events and less scheduling conflicts. Thank you all for the opportunity and I hope to see you on the course soon!

Additional Information: https://www.upperparkdiscgolf.com/collections/papa-chuck

New Mexico

Everett Brophy #123177

Disc Golf Experience

  • Player
  • Tournament Director
  • Store Owner
  • DD Ambassador/Promoter
  • 10 years of playing the game
  • Tournament scene since 2017

Additional Information

  • Facebook @ Everett Brophy & Dynamic Discs New Mexico
  • Instagram @ DynamicDiscsNM

North Carolina – 2 Candidates

Max Crotts #25901

Professional Experience: 20 years of IT support experience primarily serving medical, legal, and property management buinesses. In 2017 I opened my own company focused on providing support for small and mid-sized businesses across eastern North Carolina.

Disc Golf Experience: I'm a lifetime disc golfer with my father taking me to our local course before I could walk. I received my own discs in 1991. I started playing local events in 2002 and PDGA events in 2004.

  • Founding club member of Greenville Disc Golf (2004)
  • Joined PDGA in 2004
  • President/Board Member of Greenville Disc Golf 2005-2010, 2012-2023
  • TD of 45 PDGA events including 3 A-tiers, 12 B-tiers
  • TD of the Down East Players Cup and Camp Durant Classic annual tournaments
  • Joined PDGA Marshal program this year
  • Member of NC Disc Golf Hall of Fame Selection Committee

Additional Information: My name is Max Crotts and I’m running for the NC state coordinator position. I’m a lifetime disc golfer, I started playing competitively in 2004. In 2009 I started running PDGA events, you may be familiar with some of my annual tournaments the Down East Players Cup and the Camp Durant Classic. I’m very active in my local club, Greenville Disc Golf (GVDG), where I currently serve as a board member and Parks & Rec liaison.

After 19 years of playing and organizing PDGA events I would like to give back to our amazing NC disc golf community. Please consider voting for me as the next North Carolina state coordinator.

Logan Staton #97730

Professional Experience: For the last three years I have owned Basket Bashers Disc Golf. We have grown from a 1 manufactorer company with about 600 discs in stock, to carrying 15 different manufactures with over 3000 discs in stock. Our events are regarded all over the state of North Carolina as some of the very best events to play in and be a part of, and this is reflected in the large waitlist numbers that we see at nearly all of our events. Prior to owning Basket Bashers I served as an install manager and route technician for a large commercial dishwashing company. My branch designed, built, and maintained commercial grade dish machines all over North Carolina, with the overall company covering the entire United States. I served in that role for 3 years prior to going full time with Basket Bashers. What both of these jobs have taught me is how to manage a customer base, manage the needs of individuals, and to do so while keeping a positive and friendly attitude. All of which serve hand in hand with being the state coordinator for North Carolina.

Disc Golf Experience: I joined the PDGA in 2017 after being introduced to it by my brother. I immediately fell in love with it because of my love for the outdoors and my competitive nature. I progressed over the years and my attitude shifted from being a good disc golfer to being a good ambassador of the sport. In 2020 my wife and I purchased Basket Bashers Disc Golf and brought it to North Carolina. We started off by running charity events and fundraisers and then the occasional C tier. Basket Bashers has grown and at the end of the 2023 season we will have a total of 51 events that we have run or assisted in the running of. Disc Golf is my entire life, I met my wife through disc golf, it is my full time job, and it is one of my biggest passions. I'm very blessed to be able to serve in some big roles with a couple of local PDGA majors such as USWDGC and next year's Tim Selinske US Masters. I think that becoming state coordinator will not only be beneficial to myself for growing my knowledge and experience in the sport of Disc Golf, but it will also be a benefit to the entire state of North Carolina as it will be my goal to continue to bring more Majors and A-tiers to the state. This in turn should motivate more parks and recreation departments to not only see the benefit of adding more courses, but more quality championship caliber courses that could be used for hosting big events.

Additional Information: Feel free to check out our website (Basketbashersdiscgolf.com) for more info on myself and my family! Also check us out on Facebook and Instagram and look out for the Basket Bashers mobile store whenever you are at a PDGA event in the triangle!

Ohio

Ken Rollins #7030

Professional Experience

  • Have worked (managment) in the retail service industry for over 20 years.
  • Have worked in public service for the state of Ohio for 23 years in the field of corrections.

Disc Golf Experience

Greetings PDGA voting members,

I wish to sight an important part of being a state coordinator.  It’s all about the boots on the ground.  Without the 70+ tournament directors, there would not be over 244 sanctioned events for you to choose from in Ohio.  Those hard working, dedicated folks keep the state coordinator engaged in communication and organizing your C and B tiered sanctioned events.  You, the PDGA membership, are the lucky ones.  Be sure to support your area’s organizers and thank them whenever possible. 

I am optimistic that 2024 – 2026 will be a time of growth and success in our state.  Regardless of who you vote for, please exercise your membership benefit. July is fast approaching.  Watch for your email ballot.  VOTE.  THANKS.

I am announcing my intention to run for a third term as your PDGA Ohio State Coordinator.  Listed are some points for your review:

1. Have learned and grown as a state coordinator.  Learned that many new TD’s have stepped up with multiple events during peak competitive season.  Learned that our experienced long-term TD’s are still are growing and providing great events. This experience impacts our sport in a very encouraging way.

2. Have improved the event request process to include centralized google form for tracking and sharing of the annual tournament schedule draft.

3. Have always provided support to current and upcoming tournament directors. 

4. Wish to improve on a great foundation that we have built for the past four years while functioning as your state coordinator.

Disc Golf History:

  • PDGA member for over 30 years.
  • Ohio PDGA State Coordinator since 2019.
  • Former tournament director for various tiered events.
  • 2016 Ohio Disc Golf Hall of Fame.
  • Team Innova Ambassador.
  • 14 years as a USDGC Volunteer Staff.
  • Youth disc golf clinic organizer.

Ontario (Canada)

Chris Ozolins #55049

Professional Experience: I became Director of the Ontario Disc Sports Association in 2016, our formal provincial sports organization (PSO), and have been working ever since in an effort to push our mission and values; inclusivity, advocacy, programming and a development continuum for our sport in Ontario. I have a background in the sciences and teaching, but have chosen to focus my career on disc golf and public advocacy. I have extensive experience with the municipal RFP process, grant writing, and accessibility development working in my capacity with the ODSA as well as the marketing director of Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds. I joined the Canadian Disc Golf Association executive board in 2020 in an effort to share my experience and knowledge and assist with the development of our national sports organization (NSO), qualify for Sport Canada funding, and develop a network between all Canadian provincial and territorial disc golf organizations.

Disc Golf Experience: I began my disc golf journey is 2012 and have since competed in 152 PDGA events and have run over 60. I have organized and published the Ontario disc golf schedule (sanctioned and not) since 2017 as acting PDGA provincial coordinator; ensuring sanctioning standards are upheld and providing Ontario's disc golfers with a comprehensive, organized schedule from which to plan their springs, summer & fall. Notable events that I have organized and/or co-hosted include: The 2023 Canadian National Championships, The Ontario Provincial Championships (recurring), The Ontario Women's Championship, and The Northern Ontario Championship (recurring). I have an extended history with disc golf course advocacy and installation within the province as well; I have proposed, designed, or been a contributing partner in notable projects such as King's Forest (Hamilton), Lafortune park (Caledonia), Fireman's Park (Niagara Falls), The Highlands (Collingwood), Dragon Hills (Thunder Bay) as well as a collection of others.

Pennsylvania – 2 Candidates

Shawn Conroy #77900

Professional Experience: I left West Chester University shortly before the birth of my son and began working in the field of Nursing. I worked in Geriatrics for a few years before transitioning to a subacute unit where I could learn some more technical skills. After advancing to run the unit, I missed doing direct patient care and began picking up extra shifts in Pediatrics to continue learning new skills. I found a passion for it and have now been a full time Pediatric Nurse for the last 15 years. I currently specialize in working with clients with trachs and ventilators in a home care setting allowing them to remain a part of their family which I have found to be very rewarding.

Disc Golf Experience: In the early Spring of 2015, I was introduced to the game by a group of friends who played casually a few times a year. I still remember that I shot +26 on a local park style course for my first round and was immediately determined to improve as I didn't want to allow myself to be this bad at anything, ever. A few more casual rounds and I was completely hooked. I began to play a weekly league with Lancaster Area Frisbee Sports and to play tournaments shortly after that.

After learning that the 2019 Am Worlds event was going to be hosted in the York/Lancaster area, I wanted to make sure that all of the local players who wanted to play could earn their required PDGA points.  I had played in about a dozen of Mike Solt's (aka Mr Disc Golf) events, and used him as an early template to begin to host my own very low cost PDGA tournaments. I have now directed over 50 events/tounaments/clinics in the Lancaster area and with the help of a few other new TDs have helped to make sure that our local players have a plethora of events to choose from nearly every weekend.

I joined the informal Council of Lancaster Area Frisbee Sports in 2018. The club had existed for over 20 years as a casual entity and had been held together almost single handedly at times by William Geibel, one of the true OGs of our area. He had started a Council of some of the more prominent local players to help guide the future of the Club. Wanting to help shine light on the inner workings of the Club and give it a structure that could outlast any of it's members, we decided to found a nonprofit entity. I headed up the group assigned to write the ByLaws and helped shepherd us through the legalities and was elected the inaugural Vice President of the newly renamed Lancaster County Disc Golf Club. I served as VP for my two year term then stepped down but continue to serve on the Board of Directors.

After having helped to bolster the local scene and set a strong foundation for our local club, I am excited to see what else I can do for the game throughout the State of Pennsylvania.

Zachary Anders #41797

Professional Experience: I have been an Athletic Trainer for 14 years. Worked in multiple settings like high school, collegiate and industrial. Been in the industrial field for 9 years now taking take of work injuries.

Disc Golf Experience: PDGA Member since 2009. Competed in 139 sanctioned events and directed over 65 sanctioned events. Was heavily involved with designing and installing eight disc golf courses. Three of them were used in the 2019 PDGA Am World Champinship. Directed multiple B-Tiers and one A-Tier. Some events involved four courses and over 280 competitors. Developed and sustained great relationships with the local parks so our club can continue to make improvements on the courses. I lead the local club in volunteer hours with running events and doing course maintenance.

Quebec (Canada)

Simon Delisle #168276

Professional Experience: Throughout my career, I have worked in sales, HR, and headhunting for IT positions, focusing on utilizing my strong people and management skills to interact with business partners at a C-level and job-seeking candidates. Being bilingual in French and English is essential in Quebec, where I am based.

In addition, I founded YUL Relations, a local business networking company for entrepreneurs. Starting with just six members, we have now grown to four chapters with 100 members. Our events allow both members and guests to network with each other.

I am always eager to assist and am passionate about what I do. For more information, please visit my linked page.

Disc Golf Experience: I started playing discgolf four years ago and fell in love with the sport instantly.

I purchased a starter pack from Innova and joined Les Riverains league where I met other passionate individuals.

Unfortunately, disc golf is not popular where I live in Quebec, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I joined the local association, ADGM, which focuses on growing the sport. After two years, I resigned to shift my focus to developing more courses. 

Last year, a friend and I created Maniac DiscGolf and have since designed and opened seven courses around Montreal to make the sport more accessible to others. We plan to continue opening more courses for at least the next two years.

Despite my focus on developing courses, I still enjoy playing and participating in 4-6 tournaments per year. I play MA2 or MA40.

Additional Information

Saskatchewan (Canada)

Evan Zimmer #76267

Professional Experience: I have worked in the plumbing & heating industry for over 20 years and am currently the service manager at my company.

Disc Golf Experience: I have installed over a dozen courses, ran multiple events, both PDGA and non sanctioned, run multiple programs & clinics, many for juniors, started organizations, and more.

Additional Information: Evan Zimmer on Facebook

South Dakota

Theo Seeley #100559

Professional Experience: In my career I have worked for 3 different companies. At the first one I was a direct point of contact (PoC) with any person who wanted to change, add, or remove a service. I was the first and last person they would talk to with questions or other issues and changes they wished to make.

My second job I worked for a clean energy construction company where I would oversee work being done and make sure our contractors were following all plans. I was also the PoC for any residents in the area that needed information about the work.

For my third, and current, job I am a design consultant for substations. I am the main PoC for the construction crews and the client who is receiving the design work. I work as a designer incorporating and interpreting clients’ wishes onto drawings and prints. Then adding the connections to the field when questions or other issues arise. I am also in charge of schedule management and communication with project teams.

Disc Golf Experience: I have been playing disc golf since I graduated high school back in 2016. In 2017, I got more involved with the sport and became a PDGA member. I had tried for number #100000 (unsuccessfully), so I had been strategically put off ordering my membership.

I ran my first non-sanctioned event in 2019. In 2020, I was the assistant TD for a handful of other events, including our league. Then in 2021 I ran my first PDGA sanctioned tournament and have just continued from there. This year alone (2023), I have 22 events (both sanctioned and non-sanctioned) I am running or assistant directing in our local area. I started and am the primary director of the Black Hills Vinyl Tour (BHVT), which was the first tour/series in our local area. We’re very excited for the 2nd annual BHVT, which is already well underway this year!

I joined our local Black Hills Disc Golf Club (BHDGC) board in 2021, and then in 2023 I was voted in as president. Already during my tenure, I have led major changes to disc golf in the greater Black Hills area.

Just like everywhere else during COVID, the casual/recreational player scene boomed (2020-2021). But here in the Black Hills our club (BHDGC) was a little antiquated and was not seeing the boom the same way other disc golf clubs were. In the past year I have helped foster growth in our club by finding ways to bring in these newer COVID-era players. I worked with TDs to change old habits and worked to show new players that the club (BHDGC) and sanctioned side of the sport is welcoming and inclusive to everyone of all skill levels! Everyone has a place to play here and have fun. Historically our club participation was mainly loaded with experienced players (top amateur divisions, MPO, etc.). In 2023, we have excitedly seen a large influx of lower amateur division players (FA4, MA4, FA3, MA3, etc.) joining our club and tournaments, which was unheard of in the past.

There is so much more that could be mentioned above, as we’ve had so many recent positive developments for our club, community, and the sport as a whole. I could not have accomplished what we have (now and in the future) alone and have awesome teams I work with that are pushing to positively grow the sport in our area.

Texas (South) – 3 Candidates

Thomas Veal #36573

Professional Experience: Im a Senior Network engineer for an IT company as well as co-owning a disc golf shop with my wife.

Disc Golf Experience: have hosted tournaments for the past 8 years. Hosted countless fundraisers, unsanctioned events, as well as B tiers almost every month and ran an a tier this year, also staff with NADGT.

Vinnie Miller #5521

Professional Experience

  • 2 years Texas Instruments
  • 4 years electrician
  • 25 years at Dell Computer

Disc Golf Experience

  • Career Events: 559
  • Career Wins: 126
  • Career Earnings: $103,168.01
  • 3 years Millennium Team member
  • 7 years Vibram team member
  • 3 years Prodigy Team Member
  • 1 year and current Lone Star Discs Team member
  • Tournament Director
    • 2- National tours
    • 6-A tiers
    • 15- B tiers
    • 4- C tiers
  • Assistant Tournament director
    • 1-National Tour
    • PDGA USWDGC
  • Creator of Texas Women's Championship in its 18 year
  • Creator of Texas Disc Golf Hall of Fame and current member
  • multiple years of Cabinet Board positions for Double R Disc Golf Club 

Additional Information: Married, proud father of 4, Born and raised Texan, and Round Rock resident

Mitch Justice #15022

Professional Experience

  • 2015 - Present: Quality Control Manager for Havenbrook Homes of Texas
  • 2012 - 2015: Quality/Inventory Manger for CIMA. Refinery testing
  • 2008 - 2012: Manager for Security Self Storage
  • 2000 - 2008: Austin Texas Supervisor for Pop-A-Lock
  • 1994 -2000: Manager for Babes Burgers of Austin
  • 1989- 1994: Waiter-Manager for Capitol Oyster Bar Austin Texas

Disc Golf Experience

  • PDGA # 15022
  • 25 years Playing and Running PDGA Events in Texas
  • Member of the Texas Disc Golf Hall of Fame (Class of 2016)
  • Thirteen years as a PDGA State Coordinator
  • Current South Texas Coordinator
  • Served as the last Texas Coordinator
  • CoFounded The Heart Of Texas Tour in 2008

Additional Information

Vermont

Chris Young #24381

Professional Experience: After college I worked as an archaeologist for several years while living in Oregon and managed restaurants in both Colorado and Vermont.

Disc Golf Experience: 2023 is my 20th season competing in and hosting PDGA events. For my first 10 years in the sport I volunteered thousands of hours growing the sport locally here in Vermont. I served as President of the Green Mtn DG Club for 7 years and ran one of the most successful Ice Bowls in the country, having now raised over $135,000 for Vermont families. In 2018 I started Disc Golf Vermont with the goal of taking the sport even furthur here in Vermont. For the past 5 years I have served as the PDGA state representative for Vermont, acted as Assistant Tournament Director for the PDGA Pro Worlds in 2018 and 2023, served as the Vermont state representative for NEFA for 6 years, worked as Assistant Tournament Director for the United States Junior Championships in both 2017 and 2018, designed and built several courses in the state, led yearly kids summer camps and now find myself working fulltime in the sport I love. I have competed in and hosted hundreds of disc golf events here in Vermont and beyond and would be honored and excited to continue to work as the Vermont PDGA State Coordinator.

Washington

John Anderson #19996

Professional Experience: I am currently the manager of the biggest disc golf shop in Olympia, WA. I direct multiple PDGA sanctioned events every year and I currently direct the biggest disc golf series in Washington state, the PackEx Cup. I have played hundred of course and have designed a built many courses of the decades. I have worked at many different jobs and I am always looking to learn new things. I currently work as a Title Clerk for the State of Washington.

Disc Golf Experience: I have been the PDGA Washington State Coordinator for the past 8 years. I have been playing disc golf for the past 29 years and have been playing playing professionally for 23 years. I am President of my local club, South Puget Sound Disc Golf Association. This past year we became an official 501c.3 non-profit. The SPSDGA owns and operates a mobile disc golf course that is transported in a trailer. The mobile disc golf course has been the catalyst for at least 5 new courses in the Puget Sound area. I am currently designing and building two new courses; Greg Couio Park and Evergreen Sportsmen's Club. Our club is working towards hosting large regional and national disc golf events. Exciting future for Disc Golf in the Olympia area!

Additional Information

Wisconsin

Mike Harrington #38024

Professional Experience: My entire working history revolves around lawns, landscapes, and golf courses. I worked for a landscape company in high school as a laborer. I left for college at The University of Minnesota with the intention of becoming a Landscape Architect initially but transitioned over to Horticulture when I realized I was not artistic, and I preferred using my hands and working with soils, grass, and plants in a physical manner to create and maintain properties. I graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Horticulture with an emphasis on Landscape Design and Management and Turf Management. My career goal was to become a Golf Course Superintendent. I had already worked on a golf course for 4 years prior to graduation and eventually worked my way up to Golf Course Superintendent in 2003. I spent almost 4 years in that position before I decided to join my wife in business and became co-owner of a landscape management company where I stayed for the next 5 years full-time and a few years on a part-time basis as I slowly transitioned from the landscape company to my disc golf business which I had started in 2012.

Disc Golf Experience: I joined the PDGA within 7 days of my first round of disc golf which was January 1st 2009. It started as a way to break up a long road-trip to Florida and it became an obsession almost immediately. After my first round I knew I had a new sport/hobby that I would enjoy for a long time to come. I am in my 14th year playing and I have played 1479 unique courses something only a dozen or so people have done. I eventually left my day to day role in my landscape company to be a full time disc golf promoter when I started my company called The Disc Golf Experience in 2012. I have a retail disc golf store, I run or at least oversee 10 different leagues each year with the help of some of my sponsored players and I have at least 1 weekly league running every week of the year while Course Design is my real passion in the sport. I have designed 2 nine hole courses, a third has 9 holes completed but will be eventually be an 18 hole course. I was also hired to re-design 2 courses recently, one was designed in the 1970's for frisbees and was unsafe and outdated for today's disc technology and the amount of play our courses see. I have also had some success promoting disc golf to the golf industry hosting events on 3 different golf courses. One is going into its 11th year and grown from 24 people in year 1 to 240 people last year. I also convinced the golf course owners to leave the course setup for the entire fall, as opposed to just 1 weekend per year. I am extremely excited to bring my own individual education and experiences to the HouckDesign team so we can help promote safer, smarter, more sustainable disc golf courses to the world. I have been on the Board of Director's at the Disc Golf Foundation for the past 2 years where I serve as the Course Development Committee Chairman, to which I was a committee member for 2 additional years before joining the Board. My main responsibility is to evaluate grant applications for assistance in getting baskets at a cheaper price thanks to our partnerships with some basket manufacturers. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in helping these people better understand course design, and what makes for a safer more sustainable course. Lastly I was recently added to the Wisconsin Disc Golf Tour Board of Directors which works well with me being the State Coordinator. Thank you for reading my history and please consider re-electing me to a 3rd Two Year term as PDGA State Coordinator for the State of Wisconsin.

Additional Information: When I decided to run for the WI PDGA State Coordinator 4 years ago as a write-in candidate I was just excited to be more involved in the sport at another level. My first term went smoothly and wasn't as complicated as I had expected. My second term required a lot of conversations with new tournament directors who stepped up during the Covid Pandemic. I enjoyed explaining how the system works and hopefully making their adjustment to Tournament Directing an easy transition all while balancing the difficulties that came from explosive growth of the quiet, word of mouth type spread of our sport. Going into my third term, I look forward to helping the sport and Wisconsin Tournament Directors navigating the transition back to the new normal for disc golf. Tournaments are still filling extremely quickly and our number of players continues to grow, so I will be prepared for what comes next. Disc Golf is Alive and Well in Wisconsin! Please consider voting for me again in 2023 for a third 2 year term as PDGA State Coordinator of Wisconsin.

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