This story is part of a series of member spotlights, featuring players of all ages and skillsets.

• Name: Steven Waites
• Member #: 93138
• Age: 31
• Hometown: Flagstaff, AZ
• Favorite course: Prides Creek, Idlewild
• Profession: Team Leader at Toyota Manufacturing Indiana

When and how were you first introduced to disc golf:

In 2007 I played disc golf with friends after school but not enough to really call it an introduction. Officially in 2016 after Toyota built Red Tail Ridge (its 18-hole disc golf course on their property) a co-worker took me out to play after work one morning. I would play nearly daily and my wife would walk with me. It's built around the nature trail through the woods and softball fields. I played in the first ever tournament on the course which was a random draw doubles during Toyota's fall family day and won. From that point on I wanted to compete in some way. 

How often do you play?

I used to play 3-4 times a week casually early on. As I started running more events and doing more with the local club I’ve only been able to get out either when I'm running a tournament or playing in one.

Every Sunday a local group called Sunday Crew runs a free-to-play round on a local course. They have buy-in options for ace pots and different 50/50 CTPs for those feeling lucky.  This is probably the one weekly I hate to miss and always try to get to. 

Who do you play disc golf with?

Anyone locally who wants to throw. This year I just started working day shift and have been able to make it to some leagues. If someone is looking for a casual round, I try to play. Tournaments take up most of my playing time-- which is fine. I really enjoy both meeting new people from different backgrounds and seeing familiar faces from around the region.

What is your favorite thing about disc golf?

In order: meeting new people, being outdoors, traveling to events and seeing familiar faces. There are so many amazing courses hidden around the midwest and heartland area. 

What makes disc golf different than other sports/hobbies for you?

It's simple enough on a beginner level that anyone can play and enjoy their time. 

What is your favorite ever disc golf memory?

As a competitor it's winning my first event, 2018 Indiana State Championship MA3. Past that there are so many times when I’m like this game is just amazing because of what I get to do, people I meet and places I see. 

You are your local PDGA affiliate club president. What has that experience been like? How did you get involved? Describe what kinds of projects your club is involved with.

When I first got into the local disc golf scene looking to compete I quickly realized there were not enough local tournaments to feed my newfound hunger. During the 2017-2018 seasons I traveled a lot around Indiana finding events. In 2018 I hosted my first event on a course I co-designed as well as helped with other local events.

In 2019 I decided to get more involved with the club. I felt like tournaments and the buzz they create would help grow the sport and thus, more events.

In 2020 I was elected club president of the Ace Eagle Disc Golf Club. I was also invited to help serve the Dads Fore Disc Golf 501c3. Both non-profits have come together several times for events and are partnering as co-hosts for the 2022 PDGA Amateur World Championships in Princeton, Indiana. 

Aside from Worlds, AEDGC has also been working with area school and community organizations to share disc golf. It’s a very inexpensive sport for PE programs to pick up and add to the curriculum. Several club members have really embraced these projects. When it comes to community involvement we want to show that through disc golf so much more can be accomplished. We’ve helped parks departments fundraise for park projects. The club has also partnered with local businesses to fundraise. Like nearly all of the disc golf community we’ve seen an increase in memberships, players from all walks of life and with new ideas.

What got you into directing tournaments? What advice would you give to someone who is wanting to direct their first tournament?

I got into tournament directing as a result of wanting to compete more. I think with new technology the PDGA has rolled out for tournament directors the process of managing a tournament has gotten a lot easier. I always encourage people to volunteer at tournaments and let the TD know you want to learn the process. 

What made you want to direct AM Worlds this year?

After reading a PDGA post about accepting bids for hosting World Championships and seeing the requirements for the host site I thought, "Why not?" We have the course numbers, we have the hotel requirements. I mentioned it to a couple people that run events around the state and they all said to go ahead and try a bid. I don’t think anyone actually thought we would get it. Jason Labella, who is now the state coordinator, offered his services as a co-TD, so we went for it. The local tourism and convention bureaus helped build a solid bid package. We planned everything out and laid out all we hoped to accomplish in the bid.

What are you most looking forward to with AM Worlds?

I'm really looking forward to having everyone here and showing what southern Indiana has to offer. A lot of the time we are a drive-through state between Ledgestone and Idlewild. We have some really amazing courses and events around the state. Our player experience coordinator Jon Kennard has been working on some unique player pack items to make this a memorable event.  

What makes the Princeton area a good place to host AM Worlds?

I'm so excited that Princeton is getting this opportunity. The town has really embraced disc golf with open arms. Since I’ve started playing we went from no courses to three 18-hole courses and a nine-hole course in the county. Princeton is a small midwestern town which will allow it to put all its focus on this one event for one week in June. 

Anything else you'd like to share with the disc golf community?

Support those who support disc golf in your area. If it's a business, always thank them. If its a vendor, always shop with them. Skybreed Discs and Busler Disc Golf have both been major contributors to disc golf in my area.

If you're a tournament director, seek to learn new things and encourage others. Share your experiences so that we can all get better. I've found the TD community to be very outgoing. I’ve talked to people all over the country about how they run events and new ideas. 

Thank you Steven for being a PDGA member, being a tournament director and sharing your disc golf experience with all of us.