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- The "CHAMP" Is Back...
I FINALLY got my first ACE.
It was in the Las Vegas Bag Tag event we played yesterday.
Both Monster and I shot our best rounds ever.
I finished -9, and she was +10.
First ACE! Hole #2 @ Mountain Crest - 374’
I’m so pumped to get the “ACE monkey” off my back! ha.
AND, I got the $100 bounty from the ACE pot and took 1st place in my division. Woohoo! THANK YOU Las Vegas Disc Golf Community for having an AWESOME league!
(I took Monster on a date to buy a new disc and then to eat some pizza. Yum…)
Anyway, we hope you had an EPIC weekend of launching plastic too!
Let’s get into today’s newsletter…
Estimated read time: 8 minutes 04 seconds
THIS WEEK’S SCOOP:
The “CHAMP” Is Back…
Ken “The Champ” Climo: Pioneer, Legend, and Disc Golf's Greatest - PDGA #4297
Discovering “The Champ”
Like many, we were first introduced to the magic of Ken "The Champ" Climo through his signature line of Innova discs.
The Champion Eagle was my very first ever disc and was particularly mesmerizing - it carved the skies as if tailor-made for my hands.
Yet, the internet hadn’t burgeoned enough to tell me more about the man behind my beloved disc.
This was a time without YouTube, million-dollar disc golf contracts, or the ubiquity of social media.
It was the era where Climo reigned supreme, influencing the sport through pure talent and plastic sales.
Attributes of A Legend
Ken hugging the 18th basket minutes after he secured his 12th World Championship
Every successful athlete possesses an array of skills, and Ken was no different.
Climo’s unyielding precision in throws coupled with his masterful putting made him the force he became.
Beyond these physical attributes lay his ironclad focus, clutch performances, and a competitive spirit that even the toughest competitors envied.
For many, he’s not just another disc golfer – he’s the greatest the game has ever seen.
The Climo Influence
(left) USDGC legend Barry Schultz
(right) Ken “The Champ” Climo
While the sport today sees high-profile endorsements and televised tournaments, in Climo’s prime, the scene was drastically different.
His influence led from a time where disc golf was more passion than profession.
The very concept of royalties from branded discs originated with him.
Yet, amidst the growing fame, Ken balanced his touring pro life with his job as a carpenter in Clearwater.
Comparing his career with contemporary legends like Paul McBeth underscores how much the sport has evolved, largely due to the groundwork laid by Climo.
From Ball Golf Greens to Disc Golf Fairways
Clearwater, Florida, 1968, saw the birth of a prodigy.
Young Ken’s tryst with sports began with ball golf, a passion he shared with his father.
This sport introduced him to the competitive realm during his high school years.
However, post-graduation, the expensive world of ball golf seemed prohibitive.
It was then that a friend introduced him to the local disc golf course.
Transitioning from traditional fairways to disc golf greens felt natural for Climo, having spent numerous hours mastering frisbee throws on the beach.
His introduction to professional disc golf began with the "Cross Town Classic" in 1987.
His victory, right off the bat, marked the onset of a glorious career.
Alongside CR Willie, another passionate disc golfer, the duo dominated Cliff Stephens Park in Clearwater, pushing each other to perfect their game.
An Unmatched Legacy
Ken “The Champ” was the Innagural Recipient of the “Steady Ed Award” - awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies “Steady” Ed’s code of conduct for the sport of Disc Golf. Steady Ed is known as the “Father of Disc Golf”
His professional journey, beginning in 1988, was nothing short of extraordinary.
By his second year, he was competing with the best at the World Championships.
From 1990 to 1998, the world watched in awe as Climo clinched nine consecutive world championship titles.
With 229 wins out of 466 PDGA events, Climo's win rate stands at a jaw-dropping 49%.
The 1990s was undoubtedly his golden decade, where he won 70% of the tournaments he participated in.
His prowess didn’t stop with Open titles; he later clinched three World Championships in the Master’s Division.
Here’s the numbers:
“The Champ” and his MPO PRO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
“The Champ’s” OTHER Major MPO Career Victories
“The Champ’s” NATIONAL TOUR MPO Career Victories
“The Champ’s” MPO Career Summary
Shaping the Game
Always a thinker, Climo's approach to disc golf was influenced by his ball golf roots.
He was baffled by the absence of par 4’s and 5’s in disc golf. His discussions with tournament directors and course designers led to the introduction of strategy-intensive holes.
This transformation is best seen in the United States Disc Golf Championship in Winthrop, SC - a course that epitomizes his vision.
Beyond his game, Climo's influence was far-reaching.
He was one of the early "road warriors" of disc golf, traversing the country and promoting the sport.
His partnership with Innova Champion Discs wasn't just a personal success story; it set the blueprint for disc golfers' sponsorships in the future.
The Legend of “The Champ”
Ken “The Champ” Is BACK!
Ken Climo isn’t just a name on a disc; he’s the embodiment of disc golf's spirit.
His journey, from the sun-kissed beaches of Clearwater to the pinnacle of disc golf, showcases passion, dedication, and an indomitable spirit.
As we revel in the sport’s current glory, we tip our hats to "The Champ" – the man who made it all possible.
AND…
Now’s he’s back as a commentator - expected to become a regular face in the booth moving forward and potentially compete again in the MP50 Grand Masters division if he can get his hip injury sorted out!
In the Bag with Ken Climo…
Wanna be like the G.O.A.T.? Grab one of his discs and get to throwing!
Distance Drivers
Fairway Drivers
Midranges
Putters
*Climo's other signature discs have included: Cheetah, Cobra, Gazelle, Pegasus, Polaris LS, Raven, Scorpion, Stingray, Viper, Vulcan, Whippet, XD
PRO-TIP:
Do You Coil, or Just Turn Your Shoulders?
Ever stood on the tee pad, feeling that pang of jealousy watching someone else effortlessly launch their disc into the horizon? 🌅
Yep, been there.
Thought you were giving it your all, coiling like a pro, only to realize...
…you're not even close?
Ouch.
Enter the masterclass by none other than Coach T. As I dive deeper into his coaching, I get more and more impressed.
In his latest video, he spills the beans on the #1 Reason You STRUGGLE With Distance. 🚀
And trust me, it's not what you think.
See, most of us "think" we've nailed the coil, turning our shoulders like champs.
Spoiler alert: We're doing it all wrong! 🚫
But here's the good news: Coach T breaks it down, no fluff, no fancy terms.
Just pure, unadulterated technique goodness.
Whether you're stuck at 200 feet or aiming for the stars at 450+ feet, Coach T's got your back. 🔥
Hungry for those extra 100-150 feet in your throws?
Well, grab your popcorn (or your favorite disc) and dive right in.
I promise, by the end of it, you'll be raring to hit the field and test out the magic for yourself. 🍿
Happy throwing and see you on the other side of 450+ feet! 🥏
Keep it flyin',
-sean 🔥🕺
P.S. Seriously, don’t just take my word for it.
Give it a click and thank me later! 😉👍
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