Where are you from?
I live in Arlington TX. I grew up in Central Kansas, Hutchinson specifically.

What is your home course?
Veterans Park in Arlington is where I learned and the closest to my home. I spend more time at Z Boaz in Ft Worth, but that is my project. I hold that course very dearly, but I am an Arlington resident so my home course is Veterans.

When did you make Mace Man a full time disc golf business?
That could be a trick question, I started it in 1994. My brother Brandon came on board in 1996. I started touring in 1999 and slowly moved away from the entertainment business over the next two or three years. I have only done 3 shows in the last 5 years. So it was really full time in 2001.

What did you do before that?
I worked in the entertainment industry, doing lighting and lasers. Shows ranging from Christmas Pageants at local churches, rock tours playing arenas, and trade shows for just about any company you can think of.

What is the toughest part about being in the disc golf business these days?
Survival is by far the toughest thing. I have always been in a business that is the first thing cut from the budget. If times get tough what is the first thing you are going to cut? Entertainment. One of the toughest years I have gone through was 2002. I had seen things grow over the years and just as it seemed that things were peaking again, the 9/11 tragedy struck. It really touched everyone, but it was especially hard here, because not only did it have an instant impact on Mace Man and sales. But it also ground the entertainment business to a halt as well. So the fall back plan…if all else fails I can go back to hanging lights…was not there for me.

So how many miles are on the Mace Man mini van?
Last check it was 364,888. I am about to hit the road for the 2007 season and I was thinking about calling it the Mace Man Van Fair Well Tour. I have been saying “I think this will be the last season” each of the last 4 or 5 years, but it still is hanging in there. So I don’t know how much longer she will hang in there. I am just hoping she will last this year right now.

You see lots of players playing all around the country. What are the hottest discs on the market this spring in each category?
There is always a large demand for the next “Most Over Stable Disc”, So the Max is hot right now for those seeking over stability. The Wraith in any plastic has been holding steady for months. The Discraft Surge is going far in ESP plastic as well as Z (farther in ESP). Discraft FLX plastic didn’t make it to the end of The Big Show, so that is obviously hot. Mid Ranges don’t seem to change. There are always new offerings that have a heat flash, but everyone settles back to their ROC or BUZZ depending on allegiance. Putters are so individual that there is never a clear cut supper hot item in this area.

What are the go to discs in your bag?
Roc. Star Wraith. Pro Wraith. First Run CE TL…for now. This could change at any time. I would say the most versatile disc that gets the most action in different places is the TL. I throw it straight, turn over, and roller. It will get me out of trouble or far off the tee. It is great.

What city would you say has the strongest disc golf scene?
That is tough to pin down. You can ask that question with lots of qualifiers like: Who has the most courses in a metropolitan area (many cities close to each other)? Not sure by per capita, but The DFW has at least 20 within all of the cities that are connected. If you asked who has the most high quality courses that are of a similar caliber leaning to the tough side, I would say KC. But then someone could throw in Des Moines which is another great disc golf city. Mobile, AL has to be mentioned, they have a lot of courses in that area as well. Bowling Green has the most courses for the least golfers per capita. Can’t leave out Charlotte either, every time you think it can’t be any tougher Stan (McDaniel) finds a way to make you stop and consider something else.

What is the hippest disc golf scene you’ve experienced?
Toronto is one of my favorites. It is a totally unique disc golf experience. You have to drive right into the heart of the city and park. You gather all of your stuff for the day and ride a ferry across the harbor to Toronto Island then you walk to the course. It is not like any other. You can’t just hop in the car and drive down the road for lunch you will need to bring it with you. It is truly an excursion. And the course is no slouch; it is one of the toughest courses of the summer tour. It is difficult but fair, you need to put yourself in the right spots to make the next shot on some holes, with others being must get birdies to make up for previous or future mistakes.

If you could only play one more round of disc golf, where would you play?
Mount Airy Forest in Cincinnati. It is my all time favorite course. What a place. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of land I have ever seen that is completely surrounded by city.

Sell people right quick, on why they should come out to a Mace Man Tour event.
The Mace Man Doubles Tour is all about introducing new players to the experienced players and the disc golf scene in your town. It allows the newer players a low impact opportunity to experience competitive golf. I have three goals in mind when I run these events. First, I want to give the players at your course that would say “I’m not good enough to play in a tournament” the opportunity to see how wrong that statement can be. Second, I want to give that player the opportunity to see that the guy they would say “I could never play with that guy, he is too good…..” about is really no different than they are, just a little more experienced, but still often very willing to help. And of course it gives me an opportunity to bring some of the best Disc Golf Gear available to your town in the process.