Where Are They Now?

December 2008
Eric Tracy (#12642)

In 1997, at age 16, Eric Tracy placed 1st in the first ever Junior Division at the Charlotte, NC Disc Golf World Championships. Turning Pro shortly after, in 2000 he took 4th at the 2nd annual USDGC in Rock Hill, SC. Right before his 20th birthday in 2001 he snagged 3rd at the Disc Golf World Championships in St. Paul Minnesota just ahead of 4th place finisher Barry Schultz and close behind eventual winner Cameron Todd. Rated 1024 by 2002 (2nd in the World at the time), he accumulated over 60 pro wins during his heydey - placing himself among disc golf’s top players at the time. Displaced by Hurricane Katrina in the Fall of 2005, Eric’s life on tour stopped abruptly soon after.

Recently, we caught up with Eric to ask him about some of his memories from the tour, why he stopped playing, and what his plans are in the long run…

1000 RATED: When Hurricane Katrina hit Southeast Louisiana in August of 2005, you were forced to leave town and change your way of life. What was that experience like and where have you been since? You disappeared from the game at that time - was that the only reason you dropped off the disc golf map?

ERIC: Hurricane Katrina hit on Aug. 29th of ‘05. I left town at least a few days before landfall and picked up Matt Orum in Mobile, Al and drove to Birmingham, Al where my cousins live. Mike “Worm” Young also came up a day after that. I did what I could to let my friends and family know that it didn’t matter where this monster of a storm made landfall, it would destroy most of the gulf coast. I was living at my parents house in Metairie at the time of the storm, 6 miles from the Orleans parish line. I was the first of my family to not reside in New Orleans although I spent most of my nights in the city after high school. Matt O and Worm were both residing at their families homes as well in Mobile. All of our houses were spared only by the grace of God.

The Southern National Championships is held on Labor Day weekend every year. I was very hurt at the time that my city was over 80 percent under water and that many of the news channels were calling my people REFUGEES. I was in no condition to play mentally or physically and lashed out at the one man that was like a second father to me, Jim Orum. I felt like the Southern National Championships should not have been played that weekend and thought it was Jims’ call to continue on with the tournament. I want to let it be known that I was wrong, and I am forever sorry for my remarks online during that time. Jim is a good man and I feel blessed to have had him in my life for the past 14 years.

1000 RATED: We’ve heard that you’ll be going back on tour next year. Is this true? If so, What have you done to prepare for this, and what do you hope to accomplish in 2009?

ERIC: This upcoming year I plan on hitting all the majors and many of the big events on the Southern National Tour. I have gotten my body and mind back to a level where I feel I can compete at the highest level in the sport. That being said, and as far as what I hope to accomplish, I will strive to one day surpass my level of play in 2000-2002 before my bi-polar (or whatever mood disorder the doctors have labeled me as having) issues. In the past that took me out of competing at my best but I am keeping a close eye on my disease, which I now look at as a blessing. I have health insurance because of it and that gave me a chance to fix my deviated septum. My mother had the surgery after I was born and it changed her life completely for the better. I also strongly recomend omega 3 for anyone with joint issues.

1000 RATED: Turning Pro at a young age, you probably had a chance to meet some interesting people within the sport early on in your career. Would you mind elaborating on some of the people you met and some of the experiences you had?

ERIC: I want to thank my brother Phil, a great local champion himself, for showing me the game. Playing with pros right off the bat taught me good habits before I learned too many bad ones. Jon Fox drove me to my first worlds - he eventually ended up meeting his wife there (I took their first picture together). Mike Kernan drove me many thousands of miles and also to insanity(lol) - thank you for real though. Rivers Sherrod was my local legend. Both he and Mike Young lived just two hours away in Mobile, Al. I got to see the single greatest display of throwing the disc in my career when I partnered up with Rivers in the 2000 World Doubles tournament. Thank you for being a great friend and the most humble man in the sport. Mike “Worm” Young took down Rivers and helped me understand it was possible to win against even the best on any given day. He also kept his word and has been a great husband to my younger cousin Lily. I was with him at the Orums campsite in the Cherokee Mountains in 2005 when Matt came in second at Worlds. Me and “Worm” were not able to play beside of a deadline. I thought it was totally uncalled for - turning down such a great player in our sports history from the worlds, which is supposed to be about bringing our disc golf family together. Anyway, Mike was the real winner that month after shaking my hand and promising to take care of a woman he never met. I was the best man in their wedding as we stood at the highest spot in Alabama.

My second coolest story is when Ken Climo called my house. I didn’t even give him my number - he just called and told me I had been sponsored by Innova. The weekend before I had made a bet with Barry Schultz for a dollar a stroke on Sunday in Bowling Green. Long story short, he caddied for me in the finals when I beat Kenny by 1, second to Ron Russell.

1000 RATED: As a young player, was there anyone early on who you looked up to or learned from?

ERIC: Dr. Rick Voakes and Sylvia Voakes showed me what was possible in terms of how to be an ambassador for the sport in order to help it grow. I obviously didn’t know or understand what it meant for me at the time, but looking back I now understand what they did for me and how important they were. The compliments Rick gave me were helpful, and the time he took out of his life to spend with me - as far as traveling (since I was alone) - he basically embraced me as family. I didn’t really understand that then, but I do now. They were both just a huge part of it all for me at that time.

1000 RATED: In terms of advice, what three tips would you give to young players who are just learning to play?

ERIC: 1. Watch the best before learning bad habits that will hurt your body and game.

2. Watch how the older players conduct themselves on and off the course.

3. Always watch with new eyes.

1000 RATED: How do you think discs have changed since you started playing and what do you think this does for the players? Do you think it’s easier to quickly become good at the game than it was when everyone was throwing DX plastic?

ERIC: The discs we used when I started in 1995 could still win in the Major tournaments today. I believe that the new discs can make any player competitive quicker in the smaller tournaments. As far as winning something like the Worlds, in 2001 Cam Todd had an 8-time Roc, a big bead Aviar, a CE TL, and total self belief that he could win. That same belief he had on that Saturday when he won would have given him a chance to come in first or second this year against a bigger field of great players. A gust of wind may be the only way he wouldn’t have beat an XCaliber throwing Feldberg. In the same sense, Climo was never as long off the tee as Scott Stokely, but he was never as far off the fairway as him either.

1000 RATED: Through your travels, you’ve had a chance to play all over this country. What are some of your favorite places and why?

ERIC: Santa Cruz, Winthrop in October, and Mobile, Alabama. Mobile is the home of many great people - great players AND volunteers. Those good old boys can play and party. Mike Preston, Walley Free, Terry Restor and most importantly Jim Orum should have been in the hall of fame long ago for all of their efforts. Rivers, Mike Young and Matt O were also there. In New Orleans my father Ervan A. Tracy(RIP) would go out of his way to teach everyone in the park from the backyards to the jogging track - from Exon Mobile to the 9th ward. He just loved everyone: man, woman, and child. I love and miss him. He lives on through many. Thank you and God Bless You.

1000 RATED: You played a lot of events on the Southern Nationals Tournament Series at one point. Many speak of this tournament series as one of the best in the sport. While those who live and die by the Wisconsin Tour series of the Heart of Texas Tour might disagree, what is so special about the Southern Nationals in your opinion and what are some of your favorite memories and accomplishments from this period in your life?

ERIC: The tournaments are great, but the people are the part that is special. Without Jim Orum (founder), there is no Southern Nationals. Let’s not forget the California Sky Catz tour or the great tourneys in Florida, but I have a lot of memories from down South.

My first win was the 1998 Halloween Holler, and it was totally unexpected. I went into it thinking I couldn’t beat any of the great players, let alone master the course whatsoever. Matt Orum, Rivers Sherrod and Brad Hammock have all been champions of this tournament. It’s on a really wooded course, and when I went there I was 16 with my father and brother. When I say I had no belief I could win, I mean none at all. I was three strokes behind before going into the final round and the leader kinda blew up. When that final 18 was finished, it still didn’t sink in that I was going to win. I ended up winning by 8 strokes - but even during the awards ceremony, I could’t believe it. That moment was very special - and that tournament transformed my career. All off a sudden I was a tournament caliber player. It was my first year throwing backhand but I putted my ass off.

Another memory from the Southern National tour is when I played head to head with Climo during April of 2001 at the Gator Country classic in Gainesville. I was on the lead card with Ron Russell, JohnE Mccray, and Kenny. All the way up until the last two holes I played toe to toe with Kenny. He ended up beating me on those last two holes - but I ended up winning 19 of 20 on the Southern Nationals tour that year. That one loss to Kenny meant more than any of the other wins because it propelled me to play so well the rest of the year.

1000 RATED: We have to ask you about being an Innova sponsored player back in the day. You were on the team with Ken Climo, Barry Schultz, Dave Feldberg, Avery Jenkins, Cameron Todd, and many others. How special was it to be recognized in this way? Since you’re going back on tour next year, is your hope to once again be a part of team Innova?

ERIC: First, I want to apologize for losing my way before asking Innova for anything, but I would love another chance to be a part of that great company. Harold and JP gave me hope and I lost it with drinking and drugging. I am a proud member of a different sponsorship program today that is teaching me to live life on life’s terms.

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

ERIC: Ken Climo - his name speaks for himself - he is a great person and a great friend. I don’t need to say any more.

Thank you 1000rated.com, Sky South, and Poor Boy Discs

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***We would like to thank Eric Tracy for taking time to answer these questions

Nate on December 16th, 2008 at 11:17 am

I love this idea. I enjoy finding out where the these guys go and why they decided to stop playing. thanks 1000rated. keep it up!

Patrick Blazek on December 18th, 2008 at 4:40 am

Cool! Look forward to seeing this guy on tour next year!

SNTFREAK on January 3rd, 2009 at 6:05 am

THIS GUY IS A HOTHEAD. HOPEFULY HE COMES BACK WITHOUT ALL THE YOUNG DRAMA HE HAD AS A KID.

Eric Tracy on January 11th, 2009 at 7:06 pm

I was definitely a hot head and then some. I would always regret making and ass out of myself right after doing so. I became exactly what I never wanted to be out on tour, a whining little brat. I want to let it be known that I suffer from bi-polar disorder, and without the medicine I am on now, there would be know way that I would not be able to control my temper out on the course. No trophy or title ever made me feel whole. The service work I am doing in New Orleans and my new found faith in God has turned me attitude around tenfold. Since this interview, I have also found out that I am having to have between 4 or 5 surgeries. It is nothing life threatening but, it is pushing back my comeback. Please call me Brian. There are a few things that I need to talk to about. Thanks

Gwillim on January 28th, 2009 at 5:01 pm

Great read. Eric, I enjoyed reading through your thoughts, I hope you recover quickly from your surgery(s) and are able to hit the courses ASAP.

Arthur Haverkamp on April 14th, 2009 at 8:51 am

I liked the interview again(as always on this great site).
Never knew that you were a hothead. Not when I saw you on the tour with them boys atleast…
2001, Jon, Lea and me….I remember it well….I hope they are doing good.
Same as Cam and Les. Rivers is my homie so if you see him, tell him I said wassup. I wonder how his kid is doing?
I think I actually called you once when I was looking for some KC Firebirds, remember that?

Well glad to have you back. What has happened in the past should stay there.
Onward to a new day….