KC - PDGA World's 2009

[C.J.'s mom]

Thanks, Patrick and Lou! Way to encourage the little guy, Matt.

By the way, C.J. isn't just a good athlete. He won two eighth-grade academic awards the other night: Three years on AB honor roll and three years of A's and B's while being commended in TAKS math and reading every year. He also was selected Coach of the Season in spring flag football—he coaches a third-/fourth-grade division team.

Was C.J. happy about his academic honors? Nope . . . the ceremony was at the same time as the Tuesday mini at Imperial. The boy wanted to disc golf!

[scoot_er]

Wasn't trying to discourage anyone just wanted to state that there is always the share of "baggers" in <16 who basically make it a mini ADV division at the top.

In 2002 the 1st place finisher in <16 would have won ADV. That year it was Myles Harding, Greg Barsby, Matt Orum, and the 12 year old Garrett Gurthie who have all gone on to be insane golfers.

CJ is on his way up but he has only been playing a little over a year while many of these guys have been playing for quite some time. Usually there is a little Swedish kid that will show up and throw 575ft in the distance contest as well like Linus did in 05.

Moral of the story is that Jr Worlds is loads of fun since you get to play on a course full of other DGing kids, you get to see real funny reactions to bad shots, and you get to see some kids that will be Pro next year. CJ will do just fine as long as he stays within his game and just plays smart and remembers that it is all about limiting mistakes.

I remember Neal told me to lay up any putt outside of 30ft to eliminate any triple putts and while I wasn't that much of a sissy his advice did keep me closer to the basket.

The courses in KC are pretty similar to the TX style courses with a few like Cliff Drive and Down under being more technical.

[LOU18132]

I don't think Matt was trying to say anything negative Susan, just state the reality of Worlds. There will be some really great juniors, that is why it is Worlds. Matt just happened to be the topped rated junior in the world when he was lucky enough to win his world title. The competition is awsome and the experience is life long. Nikko didn't finish worlds that year due to a late wake up call, look where he is now. C.J. has a great future in Disc Golf, just make sure he gets that college degree to fall back on. Again best of luck C.J. LOU

[C.J.'s mom]

Originally Posted by LOU18132

I don't think Matt was trying to say anything negative Susan, just state the reality of Worlds.

Lou: Yeah, he WAS trying to say something negative. Isn't that his modus operandi on the message boards?

Matt: Your second post was better than your first. Thanks for clarifying for C.J. He always can use good advice.

C.J. knows about the potential competition; he keeps up with the other junior players. He knows that to be the best, he has to play the best. He'll get that chance at worlds. We'll see how safe he plays those putts!

[scoot_er]

Originally Posted by C.J.'s mom

Lou: Yeah, he WAS trying to say something negative. Isn't that his modus operandi on the message boards?

Matt: Your second post was better than your first. Thanks for clarifying for C.J. He always can use good advice.

C.J. knows about the potential competition; he keeps up with the other junior players. He knows that to be the best, he has to play the best. He'll get that chance at worlds. We'll see how safe he plays those putts!

Really I think you took it the wrong way.

What is negative about saying "wait until all the 940 guys sign up. Under 16 is usually the most competitive Jr division since most guys over 16 that are pretty good just play in ADV"?

I was just pointing out that very few have signed up and like i said there are always at least 3-4 940+ guys that show up and as in 02' a few that should have been Pro. Also I was inferring that <16 is more competitive than <19 because most years the older group is more watered down as many of the potential contenders are playing ADV. Last Year lil Wiggins played <19 but I think he did it because there were a few <16 guys rated as high as he was but within <19 he was the top guy.

Maybe you should let CJ try a few tournaments out in Int if you think playing with better players is the key! Don't wait for a rating to catch up since moving up will likely speed things along. I never looked at my rating when moving up and just did it when I felt able to compete with the better players. Once you move up (esp if you are young) you will shave 3-4 strokes within a few months.

[LOU18132]

You don't really know Matt, he is a caring and good kid with an opinion. (Modus operandi) LOL Message board facts are different than being negative. This little world of disc golf can be very cruel in the long run, be prepared. If you want to compete in the upper levels, it is no cake walk, there is some negativity, and good old bad times. You have to flow with the changes, but it is a good life lesson for those willing to tough it out. Good luck

He just gets carried away with the problems in the disc golf community that others don't see. He has been playing and contributing to the disc golf community for many years. He is young, and his communication skills could be better, that's why he is in college. We all could communicate our reasoning better, just don't judge what you don' t know. He's like his daddy, outspoken and opinionated. We shall all get along in the long run. Peace

[CJHop]

This worlds is for the experience, in addition to the competition. I know there will be guys rated 100 points better than me and they will kick my butt. I will play my game and see how it goes.



- Thanks Patrick and Lou for the positive cheers and Matt thanks for the advise.



-C.J.

[LOU18132]

They will not kick your butt as long as you have a positive attitude, ratings are just a number, not reality, you can do anything you set your mind to. Go Dude

[C.J.'s mom]

Originally Posted by scoot_er

Really I think you took it the wrong way.

What is negative about saying "wait until all the 940 guys sign up. Under 16 is usually the most competitive Jr division since most guys over 16 that are pretty good just play in ADV"?

Matt: It probably was the icon, as well as the terseness. Sounded a little too dismissive. As I said, the second post explained it so much better. C.J. always appreciates advice.

Lou: You're right, I don't know Matt at all. I am judging him by what he posts on the message boards, which is rarely anything positive. Maybe if he stopped sounding like a broken record with all his complaining about Birdshot, I might have a better appreciation of him. He has a lot to offer the disc golf community, but his message tends to get lost among his negativity.

Susan

[gcrussell4]

Originally Posted by CJHop

This worlds is for the experience, in addition to the competition. I know there will be guys rated 100 points better than me and they will kick my butt. I will play my game and see how it goes.



- Thanks Patrick and Lou for the positive cheers and Matt thanks for the advise.



-C.J.

If they kick your butt...I will kick your butt for real. It will be wrestlemania. All you will have to do to guarantee victory is hit every putt from 50 feet and in. It should be a cakewalk.