From Casual Player to Club President: One Disc Golfer's Journey

Steven's love affair with disc golf began in 2016 when he played on Toyota's Red Tail Ridge course. This chance encounter led him down a path that would eventually take him from casual player to club president of the Ace Eagle Disc Golf Club. As we sat down with Steven, it was clear that his dedication to the sport and its community was unmatched.

Steven's journey into competitive disc golf started with small beginnings. He began playing regularly on the Red Tail Ridge course, where he would often meet up with friends after work or school. However, it wasn't until 2018 that he started competing in tournaments, starting with a random draw doubles event during Toyota's fall family day. Steven's competitive fire was ignited from that moment on, and he began to seek out more opportunities to compete.

As Steven became more involved in the local disc golf scene, he realized that there were limited tournament options available. This sparked an idea within him to create his own events, which eventually led to co-designing a course and hosting his first event in 2018. The success of this event caught the attention of the club, and Steven was soon approached to take on a more prominent role.

In 2020, Steven was elected president of the Ace Eagle Disc Golf Club, a position that would allow him to make an even greater impact on the local disc golf community. With his new role came the opportunity to work with other organizations, including the Dads Fore Disc Golf 501c3. The two non-profits have partnered together for several events and are now co-hosting the 2022 PDGA Amateur World Championships in Princeton, Indiana.

Steven's experience as a tournament director has been instrumental in his success within the club. He attributes this to the ease of use of new technology implemented by the PDGA and encourages anyone looking to direct their first tournament to volunteer at existing events and express interest to the tournament director.

When asked about what drove him to bid on hosting AM Worlds, Steven explained that it was a combination of factors, including the course numbers, hotel requirements, and support from local tourism and convention bureaus. He assembled a team, including state coordinator Jason Labella, to help bring this vision to life.

The excitement is palpable as Steven talks about the upcoming AM Worlds event in Princeton, Indiana. He's looking forward to showcasing the area's unique courses and events to visitors from around the world. The local player experience coordinator, Jon Kennard, has been working on creating special player pack items that will make this a truly memorable event.

Princeton's small-town charm makes it an ideal location for hosting AM Worlds. With three 18-hole courses and a nine-hole course in the county, Steven is confident that visitors will be impressed by the area's disc golf offerings. The town has indeed embraced disc golf with open arms, and Steven is grateful to have had the opportunity to bring this event to his community.

As we wrapped up our conversation with Steven, he left us with some words of wisdom for the disc golf community. He encourages everyone to support local businesses and vendors that contribute to the sport's growth. For tournament directors, he emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge, sharing experiences, and encouraging others to do the same.

It's clear that Steven's passion for disc golf is contagious, and his dedication to the sport will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the community. As we move forward into the future of disc golf, it's reassuring to know that leaders like Steven are paving the way for its continued growth and success.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/td-spotlight-steven-waites-93138