Doug Bjerkaas is driven by making an impact. When he received the call to join the PDGA last year as Director of Operations, he had already demonstrated his long-standing commitment to growing disc golf. Whether he was designing and installing courses, founding the Rocky Mountain Women’s Disc Golf Championships or working for Dynamic Discs, Doug’s career has been noteworthy. His skill as a tournament director for numerous events, including several Elite Series and World Championships, won him the 2016 Brent Hambrick TD of the Year Award. It is this hard work and dedication over the years that has given him an intuitive understanding of what it takes for this sport to flourish.
A while back, I wrote a piece entitled “Why I Still Play.” You can still read it at PDGA.com. Back then, I was in my early 60s and I shared my thoughts about playing at such an advanced age. Now, as I approach 75, I’m struck by how differently I view the game, and many other things.
(This story first appeared in the Winter 2022 issue of DiscGolfer Magazine)
COVID sets the stage
The story has been told so many times now but it bears repeating: the onset of the pandemic in March of 2020 brought disc golf to a grinding halt, only for it to become one of the first sports to open back up as it proved particularly well-suited to life under new public health restrictions.
An unprecedented boom followed as legions of players—old and new—began flooding the courses. Disc sales spiked, tournaments filled to capacity, and the PDGA’s active membership jumped more than 30%.
James Conrad throws what would become one of the most famous throws in disc golf at the 2021 PDGA Pro World Championship. Photo: Kevin Huver / PDGA
(This interview first appeared in the Fall 2021 issue of DiscGolfer Magazine)
There was a moment before James Conrad threw one of the most iconic shots in disc golf history, a moment when time stood still. You could read the focus on his face. There was no doubt as he lined up his shot: this wasn’t going to be a lay up.
After all, laying up isn’t really a James Conrad move.
Whether it’s with friends, disc golf, juggling or his hair, chances are strong he is going all in.
You know that feeling when you throw a great shot? You see the full flight of the disc, time seems to slow down as you watch the turn and glide.
Imagine that feeling magnified to an almost infinite level. That’s the feeling you get when you welcome your child into the world and see them for the first time. It’s euphoric and transcendent beyond any birdie or ace you can imagine.
The flying disc world lost a legend this weekend in PDGA #9 Dr. Stancil Johnson. Photo: PDGA
Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.
It's an often-used adage and a fitting one for the trailblazers and titans of their respective fields.
This past weekend, disc golf, as well as the Frisbee world, lost a legend in Dr. Stancil E.D. Johnson, PDGA #009 and a member of the Disc Golf Hall of Fame.
He coined, among many, a phrase that so countless have heard: "When a ball dreams, it dreams it's a Frisbee."
Rebecca Cox grew up in the sport and sat down with DiscGolfer Magazine for a Q&A. Photo: DGPT
Rebecca Cox grew up in the sport and, in turn, watched the sport grow up with her. Now, as a 24-year-old veteran on the Tour, she’s constantly working on her game as the FPO field rises alongside her. I recently spoke with Rebecca about her start in the game, her work ethic, the state of women’s disc golf and a moment when she realized the impact that she’s already had on and off the course. — Hayden Henry
The role, which is freelance in nature, will have King contributing a feature article or interview for each of the publication’s quarterly installments beginning with the upcoming Winter 2021 Issue.
Henry holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Stephen F. Austin State University and is a full-time sports writer at the Longview News-Journal in Longview, Texas. His first work with that publication came on the news desk, and in 2012 he transitioned into covering everything from high school football to other professional sports in the Lone Star State. He has since compiled several accolades, including Texas Associated Press Managing Editor and Sports Editor awards.
DiscGolfer Magazine is looking for feedback on the Fall issue, and the staff intends to publish some letters to the editor in the upcoming issue. Also, if you have any questions pertaining to competition, rules, etiquette, etc., please address your questions to "Dr. Disc," who will try to answer them.
Editors are also looking for club news. If your club is active and promoting the sport, please let them know. Please send all correspondence to [email protected].
Over recent years, there has been continuing talk that disc golf putting is too easy. Of course, many of us would say, “You’ve got to be kidding! If I could putt, I’d be good!” So, is putting too easy or isn’t it? More specifically, if there really is a problem, what is it, exactly?
Rothstein comes to the Discgolfer staff after several years in the disc golf media sphere and boasts a resume that includes contributions to Rattling Chains, DiscStore.com, and Ultiworld Disc Golf. Rothstein is currently serving as the director of Discmania’s Game of Throws league event and will join Discgolfer starting with the Fall issue.
DiscGolfer Magazine has been a staple item for PDGA members since its first official publication in 2009. As the demand for digital versions of printed publications continues to grow, the time has come for us to offer fans of disc golf everywhere, access to editions from their computers, smart phones, and tablets.
With that said, we’re very excited to announce that back-issues of DiscGolfer Magazine are now available for free to the general public in a feature-filled online digital format! Unlike the printed version of the magazine, members AND non-members alike have instant access to the digital archives.
The spring issue (#5) of DiscGolfer, with a National Tour Preview, Fred Morrison remembrance, Decade Revisited article, and much more began mailing March 12.
Greetings from the staff of DiscGolfer, the new PDGA-published magazine that will debut in April. As befitting a magazine that is financed by the player-driven PDGA, we’re asking PDGA members (as well as all interested disc golfers) for your best stories, photos, and ideas and suggestions.
