Let’s cut to the chase. How is it that you always just seem to come out of the wood work and start slaying guys who play golf constantly?

Honestly, I’m not really sure. I guess I’ve been doing this for a long time now, and just trust my God-given talent. I’d say my mental game has improved over the years, but physically, I’d say I’ve lost a little bit in the execution department. I do practice leading into the big events, just not that much.

Your life is such that playing all day every day probably isn’t an option. What’s your schedule like, and how do you keep sharp?

I’ve got a regular 40-hour job, like most golfers out there. I’m a land surveyor, so I’m outside a lot, and have am a pretty good judge of distance, so that helps.

I could probably play well enough to get out there on Tour again, if my Wife would let me ;-). The times I did Tour were wonderful, and even though I’m a little behind on my career path, I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

I play Ultimate about twice a week, so that keeps my physically active, and keeps the throwing motion crisp.

This year I’ve taken to running round more for practice. I can get the reps in, and stay in shape, plus save a lot of time! Why take 2 hours to play a round, when you can do it in 20 minutes? Doesn’t work well on real busy courses, but most people see you coming and have no problem letting you play through. I get a lot of strange looks though. My puppy likes it a lot more too.

What’s the weather like in Denver?

Well, it’s about to start snowing again as I’m writing this. It’s generally just a white-out all the time…terrible…don’t move out here!

No really, it’s pretty mild and sunny here generally. People think of the blizzards and avalanches and think Denver is pretty tough weather-wise. Really though, I think we average 300 sunny days a year. Except for last year, I can remember playing pick-up Ultimate or golf at least one weekend in january in shorts and a T-shirt! Of course you can do that in the Southern States, but you can’t go snowboarding the next day.

Do you even worry about your golf game when it’s freezing cold?

No. I learned to play in Michigan from age 14 to age 18. I never played in the Winter there, and it was MUCH colder than it is here. I do occasionally play in our Winter Warrior series. WW is a fundraiser for the Ice Bowl, so it’s a charity event, and it’s just about staying in touch with other golfers, so score isn’t important to me there. Mostly I hit the gym and try and get my body ready for next season. I play basketball for Cardio and to stay up with playing sports. I’m no superstar on the court, but I play hard and have fun.

Two (winter) seasons ago we got to ride Jackson Hole for a few days. It was clear that staying in good athletic condition was a priority for you. Do you feel that good conditioning provides a competitive advantage when you do hit a tournament?

Oh yea…that was a great time! Thanks again for inviting me up for the last Tram runs. What a great mountain!

I’m certainly not in great shape, but I keep my heart and lungs pretty strong.

I think people don’t appreciate how physically demanding disc golf is. 2 rounds a day at most tourneys is usually a pretty good bit of walking, and of course add in your practice holes and such…usually 4 to 5 miles or more. Not bad. Really though, it’s the stress on your core and shoulder that taxes your body the most. Throwing a disc 400+, even 500+ for the big guys…is just not a natural thing, it’s a violent eruption of power through your legs, hips, lower back, and shoulder. I try and preach a rigorous warm up routine to prepare your body for each round or practice session. “Warm up to throw, don’t throw to warm up,” is a quote I heard once, and I like it.

It’s not just about getting loose though, you have to strengthen those muscles off the course as well. I doubt there’s too many disc golfers out there who haven’t dealt with a low back, groin, or shoulder injury or aggravation at some point. Just look at Tiger, one part of what he’s added to the game is a serious dedication to his physical condition. It’s not just coincidence that he’s been at or near the top for so long.

This year you played very well at Winthrop and then after the final round, decided to go play speed golf. Rumor has it you ran the entire Gold Course and shot some ridiculous round in record time. Will you please set the story straight?

I did play a speed round. It was on Friday after the round. Played pretty good too, except for 18…perhaps a bad omen for that hole the following day…D’oh!

I was -1 on 18’s tee, but the drive slipped out and went OB, then the approach went OB, then I missed the putt. I took an 8 to finish at 71 in 29:46. Achieved the goal of under 30 minutes, but blew the under par. Next time I’m bringing a towel, ’cause my hand was drenched after hole 8.

Pretty cool, but not the record. I was racing Adam Olson, who shot a little worse, but was a little faster. Adam is the US Speed Golf Champ with a 74 (i think) in 27:56 !!

Adam and I battled it out at the practice course at Worlds at the ski resort too. Same thing, he was a little faster, but I shot a little better. The hard part of competetive speed golf is assessing a time-per-stroke handicap. Somewhere between 10 to 30 seconds depending on the course. You really have to have 10-20 rounds in to figure it out.

I’ll be back to try and break my personal record again…maybe some of those Team Innova guys would like to race Adam and I next time?!? (sorry, couldn’t resist)

Thanks Mike. I hope to see you on the slopes and making a run at the US title next year. Later…

Thanks again for running such a great event. It’s an honor to attend and I hope to make it back next year.