Spotlight on Matthew Blakely - PDGA #15410 | 1000 Rated Disc Golf Players, News, scores, and more

Spotlight on Matthew Blakely - #15410

A member of the Greater Cincinnati Flying Disc Association, Matthew Blakely has 26 disc golf courses to choose from within 30 miles. Having so many types of shots to practice on so many courses can really help your game, and Matt has most likely seasoned his consistent play on many of these fairways.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, Matt played baseball as a kid, but didn’t significantly get into sports until he met disc golf. Moving to Cincinnati for college life, Matt has since found a home there, and the Discraft sponsored pro and 1014 rated player is very active within the vibrant Cincinnati disc golf scene.

We spoke with Matthew about his life as a pro disc golfer, his experience as a TD, the future of our sport, and more…

1000 RATED: Can you tell us a little about how you started out in Disc Golf and at what age? Who really helped you develop your game from the beginning?

MATTHEW: Back one summer when I was about 10 my parents signed me up for a summer camp at a local recreational center in Dayton, OH. It included Disc Golf. They also had a separate class for which I took. I played in it a couple of summers and did not try to play again until I was about 16. I went out with a buddy and bought another disc and have played ever since.

I didn’t have a whole lot of help at the beginning but had the basic fundamentals of throwing across your chest and flat from the class when I was younger. Some of the people in the Dayton Disc Golf Association helped me out some and got me into the sport more competitively. I played baseball when I was younger(probably no older than 12). Nothing really special though.

1000 RATED: You turned pro in 2002 and have slowly raised your rating from 919 (May 2002) to 1014 (September 2008). Do you feel that turning pro so early helped you gain the confidence to compete against the big dogs? Also, when do you think things really clicked for you and what part of your game helped you get where you are now?

MATTHEW: Here is why I turned pro so early. I was tired of winning stuff when I was playing bad. I didn’t deserve it but in general I still placed in the advanced division. I was always competitive so I moved on up and played pro. That way I had to play good or better than I was to receive any prizes. In general a lot of the advance players have the skills to play pro, it’s just about executing the skills on the course.

Matthew Blakely When did it click? I think it clicked in the Spring of 2003 when I played my first A-tier event as a pro. It was the Michiana Open. I went out there and just put my mind to the game and played. At the end of the tournament I was in 4th place and had played with many of the best players in the world and beat some of them too.

The part of my game that has helped me the most? It varies from time to time, but over the years my driving has probably been my best attribute. I have been fairly accurate, consistent, and long throwing throughout my disc golf years. Many players will note my putting. Over the years, and through out the year my putting seems to go up and down. It’s a constant struggle to putt good it seems. I can get very hot in putting though and will sometimes make almost everything the course seems to give me. With time my game continues to grow and seems to get more consistent.

1000 RATED: In 2003 you grabbed your first Pro singles win at the 4th Flying Pig Open in Cincinnati. How did it feel to win your first pro event so close to home, and what do you think enabled you to beat the field by 5 strokes?

MATTHEW: Well It is kind of hard to remember that tournament. Looking at the scores I remember shooting a little below average at Mt. Airy the first round but then turned it around and made a move by shooting a hot second round. It looks like I sailed through the last two rounds to win. Playing at home definitely helps when competing in general. You know the shots, the danger, and get to sleep in your own bed.

The keys to me playing well are keeping focused on what I am doing. If I am going through my routine and am focused I almost always seem to play better than when I don’t. It’s always good to stay relaxed and in the game mentally and physically.

1000 RATED: You are well known as a consistent and solid spin putter. What do you think is most important for players who wish to become better putters? Can you outline your stance and routine before every putt so that our readers can understand how you approach each and every putt?

MATTHEW: Well I have two putt’s and I’m torn between the two right now. A straddle putt and or normal stance putt.

Normal Putt - Right foot forward with toes pointed at basket, Left foot back and pretty much at a 90 degree angle with the right. The stance is open so it is balanced. Don’t have your feet so close together that you are not balanced. I try to have a forward arm motion straight at the basket with a little up and down in the putt. Not much up and down though unless I am pretty far away or have a backdrop behind the basket. Well I bring my arm down and back towards myself and then go straight at it with a pretty level putt. Keeping the disc flat is very key to putting in the wind. That is the motion pretty much. Key’s to focus on though are the release of the putt and the follow through. If you don’t release it right or if you don’t follow through, you normally don’t make the putt. It is key to follow through and have a clean release. I normally have a little bend in the knees too. (Video of this putting style on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgqQ3hUA-js)

Straddle Putt - My feet are both pointed at the basket and spread apart. I will pull the arm back and down to the center of my stomach and than push forward with the arm with a slightly upward motion but again pretty much flat. I am not an up and down putter unless I have good reason. Flat and direct are what I like. Again the keys to this putt and most putting styles are to follow through and release clean.

Other tips: Don’t be scared of the putt. You need to believe you will make it, and if you don’t make it - that you will make the comeback putt. I personally like a direct, firm, flat, putt. Follow Through and Release clean and you will become a better putter.

1000 RATED: What other tips can you offer players who are trying to raise their level of play? Is there something you think players get stuck on that dimishes their abilty to perform well? What shots do you think players don’t have in their bag that will help them in the long run?

MATTHEW: Don’t dip so much with your normal throw so that it is hard to throw anhyzers. I see lot’s of players dip and throw hyzers all the time. These players also normally have more problems throwing anhyzers and rollers. Nice and flat in general is best.

Matthew Blakely Remember you don’t always have to park the basket whether it be your drive or upshot. The key is to give yourself the opportunity to make the putt. I see people take riskier lines, nearly impossible shots, and things of the sort to park a basket instead of throwing a safer shot that will definitely give them an opportunity to putt. You will make more birdies and less bogies in the long run with this mentality.

Learn to throw the different shots, Backhand, Side Arm, Thumbers, Rollers and more will make you a better player.

Most players get the skills it takes to play pro, but it is all about the execution of the shots. Take the time execute each of the shots. If you focus and take the time on the shots your score will probably drop. I have a routine and if I go through that routine and focus on what I am doing I throw better shots than when I don’t.

Remember just because you can throw that midrange or putter that far doesn’t mean you should throw it. I see lots of people throw midranges or putters full strength when they could step to a little further flying disc and throw it firm but not full strength and get there. Most people control better with firm shot than a full strength shot.

1000 RATED: This will be your 6th year in a row competing at the United States Disc Golf Championship. You’ve had three top 50 finishes during that timeframe - the best finish at 41, respectively. For players who have never been, will you elaborate on some of the experiences you have had at USDGC over the years and what the atmosphere is like? Also, what are your goals for the 2008 event?

MATTHEW: It is a one of kind event and that is why I continue to comeback. It is a major and it feels like one. On the otherside I wish there was more to the course than rope and open area. Goal is to play good golf and finish in the top twenty.

1000 RATED: You’ve been the Tournament Director of The Gulley Open for the past two years. Is this something you’d like to do more of in the future, TDing? What do you think makes a good TD and how to you think this creates a quality event? In this sense, in your experience from all of the events you’ve played, can you also give us an example of someone you think is a top notch TD and why?

MATTHEW: Personally I don’t mind running tournaments but I don’t have the time to prepare and set up for them like I would like. There are certain aspects that suck, the stress of running one, and not being able to really practice if you are competing in it also. A good TD will take care of the players that are playing his or her tournament.

Recently in are area we have had two top TD’s step up. Brad Anderson and Crew(Adam Jones, John Kuhns, more) put on a good tournament with the Flying Pig this year. Brad had little experience but stepped up to the plate and put forth a great effort and it showed. He did a great job. Also one that has ran a couple of events is Nick Engle. He has done a great job with the events I’ve attended and from what I hear the events I wasn’t able to attend. Deuce or Die Doubles events have been a great time with good food and more. You can tell these guys tried hard to make their events good events, and both succeeded.

1000 RATED: The PDGA is growing, but can’t seem to find a way to cater to a larger market or expand it’s membership at a faster rate than 8% or so every year. From your perspective, what do you think it will take before we see more growth, and how long do you think it will be before the PDGA hits 50,000 members?

MATTHEW: I think it will just take some time for the PDGA to continue to grow. I think their membership fee’s could be set up a little different and that this could help attain and retain more members. Some people are going to play one or two PDGA events a year and don’t want to pay the full Membership price(High dollar amount). If it could be a portion instead of what it is for somebody who plays thirty events who evidently gets his money worth. Let’s say Players who are only going to play a few events (max of four, Membership is half price). I think you would get lots of these people who don’t renew and play a select few tourneys.

How long till we reach 50,000? In 2010, or 2011. This will depend on a lot of things though.

1000 RATED: It seems your tournament play has slowed down a bit this year. You’re not a full time touring pro, and you obviously have a full time job. What is it that you do for a living and how do you balance your work and your play without losing your game so to speak?

MATTHEW: I have my Bachelor degree of Chemical Engineering from UC. I am what they call a Melter at AK Steel. This is a management roll in which I must manage the shop, the crew working on my side, Quality, Preventative maintenance, safety, and more.

It is very hard to balance work and play. I work a rotating schedule that changes from week to week. One week I work 3pm-11pm and in general I don’t play at all during this time. One week I work 7AM-3PM and I get out 2-3 times normally. One week I work 11pm-7am and I get out about 2 times normally.

I get one weekend off out of four and that really limits tournament play. I am able and use vacation to play a little more than that though.

1000 RATED: Our favorite question: Who is your favorite 1000 rated player and why?

MATTHEW: So many great players that are fun to play with - and so many that are not.

Cale Leviska; always rooting you and the group on to bring the group to play it’s best.

Kris Orrick; also a great guy to play with.

They are fun to play with, laid back, and great competitors.

Other Notables: Brian Schweberger, Eric McCabe, Brad Schick, Jay Reading

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***We would like to thank Matt for taking time to speak with us
***All photos were graciously provided by and are a Copyright of Discraft

This entry is over 6 months old and comments have been closed…

Spencer on September 22nd, 2008 at 2:23 pm

I saw Matt on a couple of videos on the internet before reading this interview, so I was sort of familiar with him, but have never met him or seen him play. I think it’s so cool that this site gives us a chance to sort of “meet” players like this through the interviews you do. I like what he said about taking time to execute each of the shots.

decurbedund on January 29th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

yo, http://www.1000rated.com great name for a disc golf site

EVIL on March 23rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm

Hmm… Matt please do not forget about those that helped you along the way. The 3+ years of road trips with the FENOM, Father Brian and I, helped your game ten fold ( Not to say that you did not have the talent, but take a talented young guy and give him years of road trips and round after round competition , it helps a bit ) If it was not for Scott and his drive to keep whipping our bottoms, and your drive to finally beat him, I would think your game would have been far different. Where was Brian Schweberger, Eric McCabe, Brad Schick and Jay Reading then ???