1000 Rated Disc Golf Players, News, scores, and more

1000 RATED: How does it finally feel to get your first National Tour win, especially at home in Columbus?

BRAD: It feels great to finally get that “big” win and to do it at home was even more special. The local crowd was so supportive last year when I got second, I couldn’t wait to get back in to that final nine this year! The cheering and screams got me through the nerves and I owe a lot to them for sure! Making that last putt for the win was something you always think about during practice rounds, “This putt is for the BHMO win” and to actually be there and have it come true…how cool!

1000 RATED: You’ve had a pretty successful summer already. Is there something you think you could pinpoint that has really clicked for you lately, or do you think you are just on a roll?

BRAD: There is nothing I can pinpoint other than I think having a supportive wife along with not putting added pressure on myself. The other big thing is I have learned how to win, which sounds silly to most people I am sure, but it’s not an easy thing to do. When you are in the position to take the lead, or make a crucial putt to throw that pressure back on someone else, that is something you have to take advantage of and do. Having confidence in yourself is half the battle.

1000 RATED: Will you be playing in either the Worlds or USDGC this year?

BRAD: I will be skipping out on Worlds again due to vacation time and just the overall cost of the week away. I haven’t been to Worlds since ‘01 I think and really don’t have plans to go back. I will be attending the USDGC for the 10th straight year, which there are only about 15-20 of us left who have attended all 10. That is the tournament you want to attend, only one course to learn, a few days away from work, great money to be won, a great course with an amazing staff! I hope to be there every year, but it is certainly getting more difficult to qualify. The other major I hope to attend this year is the Players Cup, very similar atmosphere with one course, great staff and big paydays.

1000 RATED: Any advice you would give to players who strive to be at the 1000 rated level?

BRAD: Playing at a higher level comes with tournament/competetive experience and confidence. There are many players who play every day and can keep up with local pros casually, but during tournaments they find themselves 10+ strokes back. Competing and practicing are two different things and I would recommend when playing, try to keep it competetive with money, bag tags, or something to make it meaningful. You want those pressure putts, and tough upshots to mean something. This game is about 75% confidence, 20% skill and 5% luck from an advanced level player and up. Those 950 golfers have the skill usually, they just don’t have the confidence. One other thing that usually holds great Am players back is shot selection. You see them take a shot that they may make 10% of the time and the other 90% they are going to be in huge trouble. Take the higher percentage shot and take the bogie’s out of the game, your birdies will come.

1000 RATED: How long do you think it will take before we see larger purse’s, better coverage, and bigger sponsors?

BRAD: This is something I have asked myself and others since about the mid 90’s. The amount of tournaments have grown unbelievably, but the purse sizes seem to be about the same unfortunately. Until we have a half million current PDGA members, I really don’t think corporate sponsors see a benefit. If the numbers are not there for them, they will spend their money on other things. Hopefully someday Nike or Adidas will buy out or start a disc manufacturing company and that will be a start of bigger things to come. It may not be that far away??

1000 RATED: Who is your favorite 1000 rated player at the moment and why?

BRAD: I can narrow it down to two…probably Nate Doss or Cale Leiviska. They both are always true champions on and off the course. You can never really tell if they are playing bad (which rarely happens) or if they are on course record pace. This keeps you on track as a player and most players who have played with them would certainly agree!