A Disc Throwing Cyborg, MORE Young Guns, and A Way To Stop Rounding...

Viva Las... bad weather?

Vegas turned into a disc golfer's dramatic par 4 this weekend. Monster & I? Found ourselves playing an unplanned "lightning round" and nearly hydroplaned our way through some wild flash floods. Talk about an unexpected water hazard! ⚡️⛈

Apparently, there’s a hurricane off SoCal's coast, teeing up to deliver a pretty hefty drive here in Sin City soon. It’s officially monsoon season.

But, let's talk silver linings, folks! We've traded that sweltering 115° for a breezy 85°. Perfect backdrop for hucking those discs without melting into a puddle of regrets, amirite?

Hope you got in on some disc flying action this weekend too, fam.

Estimated read time: 5 minutes 52 seconds

Before we begin, a big thank you to this week’s sponsor:

THIS WEEK’S 2 SCOOPS:

1. Kristin Tattar: Human Or Disc Throwing Cyborg?

Kristin Completes The 5th Best Rated Round EVER Thrown For An FPO Player At Round 2 of The European Dis Golf Championships

If you haven't been living under a rock (or perhaps a rogue frisbee), you'll know that Kristin Tattar just pulled a literal mic drop at Round 2 of the European Disc Golf Championships. She didn’t just break a record, she basically set the disc on fire.

5th best rated round EVER thrown for an FPO player?

No biggie for our gal.

Now, let’s backspin a little. Kristin Tattar, born 3 July 1992, is Estonia's Queen of the Greens. While she could've pursued those snow-filled tracks with her impressive cross-country skiing, the universe aligned, and she chose disc golf.

And aren't we just ecstatic?

Coz, honestly, the skiing tracks lost a gem, but the disc golf world, well, we scored big.

Imagine a parallel universe where she's skiing downhill, but here in our universe, she's elevating the game uphill. 🎿 vs. 🥏? We know who won that.

She not only throws discs like she was born with one in her hand, but she also embodies the spirit of the game. With more than half the events she’s entered tucked under her belt as W's, it's hard to tell if she's human or a next-gen disc-launching cyborg.

But let’s talk about that favorite tool in her arsenal. It's like Thor's Mjölnir, but for disc golf - her custom Latitude 64 Grace.

Can we just take a moment? It’s no random piece of plastic; it’s an extension of her. And rumor has it, it’s sprinkled with some Estonian magic.

Wanna channel a little bit of Tattar's energy? Grab one now! 

But, a fair warning: while the disc is legendary, instant Tattar skills are not included. 😉

From being the face of DG Academy to pocketing a cool half a mil with Latitude 64°, this champ's been on a roll. And if the goss holds up, 2023 seems to be another stellar year for her. Finishing 5th in a tournament? Sounds like a blip for someone with her resume. But hey, even superheroes need a breather.

So, what's the takeaway? If ever there’s been an advocate for "shoot your shot," it’s Kristin. She didn’t just aim for the basket; she shot for the stars. And if you ever wondered what it looked like when someone disc-ed their way into legend status, you're witnessing it.

Right here.
Right now.

P.S. Is Kristin your fav FPO player? If not, who is? Comment below (or hit reply and tell me in an email). 🥏

Disclaimers: We’re all about the fun and the facts. Always check your sources and remember - no disc replaces practice. Not even a magic one from Estonia. 😉

2. Last Week’s Champs… “The Young Guns”

Congrats to Valerie Mandujano & Gannon “Ice-Man” Buhr for taking down Idlewild and the LWS Open

This past weekend, the Disc Golf Network dropped some jaw-dropping, frisbee-flinging antics from a couple of young phenoms, taking over our beloved game. 🤟

Back in the Saddle 🚀 
Despite the thunderous applause the skies gave on Day 2 (Mother Nature, you drama queen 🌩️), Championship Sunday was all sunshine and rainbows.

Returning queen of the course, Valerie Mandujano, showed she’s far from done. After an injury-imposed break from our scene, this gal bounced back like a lost disc from a lake. No joke, she missed the cash line at the Discraft Ledgestone Open. But hey, don't we all have off days? 😜

“You ever faceplant while trying a tricky putt? That was me at Ledgestone. But falling just means you get up and throw harder,” she winked after claiming the throne once more.

But the buzz doesn’t end there. The MPO field, on the other hand, was like watching a sequel where the newcomer takes over the legacy. Gannon Buhr, the name that’s quickly turning into disc golf legend, proved that the woods can’t stifle his spirit or his throws.

Revvin' the Engine 🚗 
That guy’s drive? Like an F1 car at a go-kart rally. He nailed it, even making trees look like mere twigs in his path.

And here's a fun tidbit: while most of us get butterflies, Buhr was literally nauseous out of nerves at the start. “It's like you're at the top of a roller coaster, looking down. Then you just fly,” he said, summing up his feelings.

And fly, he did.

Mandujano and Buhr?

They're no fleeting shooting stars; they're more like comets here to light up our sport’s galaxy for a good, long while.

Next up?

Off to Milford, MI, for some more disc-tastic showdowns. Ready to see more of these young guns in action? We sure are. 🔥

Parting Throw 🥏 
Whether you’re out there smashing chains or just chilling with a cold brew, remember - the future of disc golf is in good hands, especially when those hands belong to the likes of Mandujano and Buhr.

Share the buzz, spread the love, and let’s keep our game rolling!

PRO-TIPS:

FIX the elbow tuck by Cooking your Spaghetti (DRILL)

You ever feel like you're tryna rev a Prius in the middle of a drag race?
That's rounding messing with your vibe.

But hold onto your hats, because DG Spin Doctor’s got the antidote.

🎥Click here and dive into the magic potion of disc golf wisdom.

Simple?
Heck yeah.
Game-changing?

Just ask Monster - she's crushin' it an extra 50 feet per throw!😲

Got the rounding blues? 

Let's jazz it up and fix that wonky release.
Dive in! And remember, sharing is caring.
Pass the disc knowledge! 🚀🤙

P.S. Try this the next time you hit the field, and watch that disc soar! But hey, no guarantees you’ll turn into a disc golf deity overnight... or will you? 😉🔥
I’d love to hear how this works for you. Keep me posted, yes?

DAILY DISC GOLFER OF THE WEEK:

John Houck
PDGA#: 1688

Throwing Shade: Meet John Houck!

If you're still thinking that a "HouckDesign" is some swanky new throw technique, allow us to school ya – but in a chill, best-buds-over-a-disc kind of way. 🥏

Welcome to the Mind of a Maverick

John Houck is not just the dude with the disc, but the Picasso of Fairways. You see, while most of us are busy chasing after our badly aimed discs (yeah, I’m talking to you…), John and his better half, Dee, are shaping the future of disc golf with their earth-crafting magic.

Ever walked onto a course and felt like you've entered Narnia? Yeah, that's a HouckDesign trademark.

They’ve been dominating the no. 1 spot on Disc Golf Course Review’s rankings since 2012.

And Harmony Bends in Columbia?
That baby's a Houck classic!
Awarded, recognized, and basically the Beyoncé of disc golf courses.

From Throwers to Growers

It's intriguing how John got sucked into course design.

Picture this: It's the '80s, and young John is all about the tournament hype.
But wait!

Many cities don't have courses.
What's a dude to do?

Design one, of course!

And Dee?

After witnessing John morph rugged terrains into disc golfer paradises, she thought, "Why watch Netflix when I can watch this live?"

Okay, she didn't exactly say that, but you catch my drift.

Making Magic Memorable

When it comes to what separates the 'meh' holes from the 'mind-blown' ones, John and Dee believe it’s in the details. Like when you savor a gourmet burger and can't pinpoint why it’s the best. Damn thing. Ever.

For John, the goal is stealthy brilliance: “If I'm deeply involved, but it looks like I was never there, that’s a good sign.”

Fore-sight Into the Future

With the sport's growth, comes the age-old question: To golf course or not to golf course?

John believes we need to rethink our stance.
Why not a blend of wooded and semi-wooded holes?
You know, spice it up a little!

Ready to Dive Deeper?

We're all about that disc life 24/7, and this dynamic duo is no exception. So, whether you're just a casual thrower or planning to build your own resort like Monster and me, you might wanna get a HouckDesign on speed dial.

We’ve had the chance to get to know John and Dee, and always find ourselves better off after speaking with them. Whether it’s learning how they’ve advanced our movement, or teaching us something we didn’t know about design, we’re grateful for them.

Wanna Learn from the Best?

Word on the street is that the Houcks might pen down their magic formula in a book.

Until then, let's keep slingin', wingin', and dreamin' of those pristine fairways.

Alright, Daily Disc Golfers, toss responsibly and remember, "A hole designed by John Houck is not just a hole, it’s an experience."

Share the love, share the newsletter, and let’s keep flying high together!

Peace out! ✌️🥏🌲

-sean 🔥🕺

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