In Her Words...

When did you 1st get hooked on the game?
I was hooked on the game before I even threw my first disc. It was late fall of 1992 and a college friend of mine was obsessed with the sport. I didn’t pay much attention to it, but we were at a park one day (not a course) when he had his discs. He asked me to pick out an object. I pointed at a pine tree just over 300 feet away. He threw a disc to within 10 feet of the tree. I turned to him and asked him to teach me how to play.

What was it that hooked you?
It was the beauty of the disc in flight and the accuracy with which the disc was thrown.

What keeps you hooked to this day?
It's still the beauty and potential accuracy of a disc in flight.

How do you feel about being sponsored by Sassy Pants, the disc golf apparel and sponsorship business for ladies, by ladies?
More than anything else, honored. I love the style of Sassy Pants and I admire Teresa and Jodie for focusing on such a small (and otherwise neglected) demographic in the sport.

What are the key factors to attracting and keeping more women involved in competitive disc golf?
Availability, most young women who may be attracted to the sport never have an opportunity to play. They never get introduced to the sport and therefore never have the opportunity to enjoy it. The emphasis needs to be on the younger players and the recreational players. Without a strong base in those areas, we can’t expect to have large am or pro division. There are many women’s leagues popping up around the country. That is a great, nonthreatening way to get women into the sport.

How has disc golfing helped you as an athlete?
Tough question. To be honest, I’m not sure it has. It has certainly given me a focus in my athletics.

How has disc golf helped you in the rest of your life?
This is incredibly easy to answer, but hard to do so without becoming overly personal.
Years ago, when I lived a considerably different life, disc golf was my escape. I lived for the weekend when I would fly or drive away and become a different (more confident) person for the weekend. It was always such a let down to have to return after the event was over. I had gotten myself into a situation that was detrimental to my self confidence in many ways. When that negative influence ran over into disc golf, I was finally able to see how wrong and ridiculous it was. Disc golf gave me the courage and confidence to walk away and turn things around. For that, I will always be grateful.

What helps you keep your cool on the course?
Disc golf has given me more opportunities than I would have imagined. I'm grateful to it for all it has brought me. It would be incredibly selfish to feel anything else with regard to the sport. My demeanor on the course is a reflection of that.