The disc golf season is well under way locally.
The regular Tuesday night get together at Patrick Park Disc Golf Course launched for a new season this week.
The first tournament in the region is a Vibram Birdie Bash at the course in Springside May 29.
And new courses are being installed in Stockholm, Kelvington, Whitesand Regional Park near Theodore, Moosomin Regional Park, and Asessippi Beach and Campground.
On a much bigger scale, the Disc Golf World Tour heads to the Czech Republic for the second of its scheduled events the Konopiste Open May 5 to 7.
So I thought it a great opportunity to touch base with another of the world’s elite players Simon Lizotte who hails from Bremen, Germany although he should be a Canadian favourite too, given his lineage.
“I first became involved with disc golf when I was about two-years-old,” he replied after agreeing to an interview via email. “I am lucky to have a father who’s Canadian and he learned about disc golf when he was in school. So I basically grew up throwing discs around the back yard. I played my first tournament at the age of 11 in 2004, and that was when it started becoming a serious thing for me.”
But what was it about disc golf that grabbed Lizotte’s focus?
“What got me hooked was probably the process of getting better and better every year,” he said. “Because I started so young I could throw a lot farther year by year just because of my physics.
“I turned ‘pro’ when I was 15 and started beating all the good players I was looking up to before.
“I love the competition side of the came but most importantly, every single round is a competition against yourself. Disc golf is a mental game and I love challenging myself on the course.”
Lizotte said the professional aspect of disc golf was something he aspired to early on.
“I realized very early that there was a professional side to disc golf,” he said. “Watching players like Climo, Feldberg, Jenkins and Doss was a huge inspiration for me.
“I went through a couple stages throughout my carrier in Europe. When I started playing Open in Germany it took me one season until I started winning almost every event.
“From there I want to the European Tour and again it took me one season until I was the favorite to win every tournament. I knew that the “real” competition was in the US so that was my next step.
“Also really important was that I noticed that I was really good under pressure and was able to play good when I needed to be. I just love being out on the course.”
In terms of highlights to his young career, Lizotte did return to his native Europe.
“Probably the European Championships I won in 2012,” he said. “That really opened the door for me to becoming a turning professional in the states. I don’t really remember the specific rounds I just remember that I was leading from the first round on and as able to stay ahead the whole tournament.
“The moment I realized I won was amazing.
“There’s so much pressure coming down the stretch of each tournament and when it’s done it’s just a huge relief. Knowing you beat everyone else in the whole tournament is just a great feeling and very satisfying. But I also think that losses can be more important than wins.
“The one thing you learn from winning is confidence, which is great. But losses teach you so much more. Winners are just losers who tried again.”
Given his background, Lizotte said he doesn’t have a favoured course, but rather he appreciates them all as an opportunity to play.
“Growing up in Germany, with almost no courses at all, I must say that I really love every course,” he said. “Just seeing tee pads and baskets in the ground is amazing to me.
“I’m slowly starting to get used to playing all these great courses but still, looking back on how excited I used to be when I saw a basket, I love every course. It’s hard to pick a favorite for me.
“I guess I really enjoy playing the course up in Portland, Oregon. Both the Milo courses are just beautiful, challenging and fun at the same time.”
Lizotte said it comes down to just wanting to perform at his top level again the best in the world.
“Beating anyone of the top 20 players is something huge because they are all amazing at what they do,” he said. “I respect everyone of course. Paul McBeth is certainly the best player - by far. When you beat Paul, you’re probably winning the tournament. I try to be buddies with everyone if possible but McBeth is for sure the guy to beat.”
Not that Lizotte is far behind thanks in part by distance off the tee pad.
“I think throwing the distance world record was huge for me,” he said. “Besides that I’d say winning my first National Tour event at the Ledgestone Insurance Open last year. I’m only the second European player ever to win a NT event. Also that tournament had the highest payout in the history of the sport so that was a good bonus as well.”
The current pro season has started and Lizotte said it should be a highly competitive year, which should help the sport continue to gain recognition at the top level.
“For sure it’s closer than it’s ever been,” he offered. “2016 will be very interesting to follow because there are a lot of good things happening out there. I don’t think it will be long ’til big sponsors roll in. We all just need to focus more on media exposure and running spectator friendly events. If we all work together it can happen in the next five-years.”
As for a personal goal Lizotte wanted to again throw it long.
“I really want to beat my own distance for record later in March this year,” he responded several weeks ago. “Throwing a disc over 900 would be so awesome.”
And he achieved that goal with a toss of 275.5 metres (903.83-feet) later in March.
As for event play Lizotte said he wants consistency.
“I never want to finish out of the top-10 in all tournaments. Besides those two things I really just want to do my best and stay healthy,” he offered.
