Stephanie Vincent Disc Golf Q&A

Happy Monday!

Today we are privileged to have a Q&A session with Texas Disc Golfer Stephanie Vincent.  Stephanie is a professional disc golfer who has played in PDGA tournaments since 2006, has played 137 career events, and is sponsored by Mint Discs. In 2018, she has cashed in 4 of her 7 tournaments and has been working hard every day to become a better disc golfer.

How/When did you start playing disc golf? 

Back in 2006 I was sitting around with some college friends and all they would talk about was disc golf. What course they played, what they shot which new disc they were throwing. It sounded fun and I had played competitive softball for 18 years and was beginning to miss playing a sport. I asked if they would teach me and I threw my first disc at Circle R in Wimberly TX and here we are 12 years later. 

What does disc golf mean to you?

It’s a lifestyle so almost everything I do involves playing golf or spending time with people who do play. It has brought some of my best friends into my life and I’m grateful for finding this sport. 

How do some of the disc golf skills you’ve learned translate into teachings in your life?

I used to rage monster all over the course when I was younger. I wanted to be so good and I was terrible at accepting failure. One day I said you look like a crazy lady and it’s not helping your game, wake up! I have learned to be more patient and that failure does not mean you are a failure. 

If you could caddy for one disc golfer, who would you select and why?

Let’s see, Sarah Hokom because she is my bestie and chances are I will be watching 3 other amazing women play on the card too. 

Have you considered going on tour? If so and you have not yet, what things are stopping you from going? If you have, please tell us more about that experience. 

I dream of being on tour every day. 

Since I started I have always been competitive but I wasn’t always that serious. Tournaments use to be a place where I went to play golf and spend time with my friends. 

Now it’s much more competitive and while I still enjoy seeing my friends, I’m much more focused on the course than I use to be. For the last 3 years I have had the drive to tour, I just have to figure out what to do with my house and my job. I know I could sell it and live like a gypsy but I have to face the fact that I’m almost 40 yrs old and if I do go on tour how long could it really last so I don’t want to sell my home then have to start all over again when it’s over. I’m hoping to find someone to lease it to next year and get out there before it’s too late and I’m an old lady full of regrets. 

I did go on a mini tour one summer and I learned a lot of lessons on that trip. I met amazing people I still keep in touch with and realized I had the potential to be better. 

What is your favorite disc golf tournament near or far and why?

Beaver State Fling in Oregon is my favorite out of state tournament because the courses are beautiful and the tournament is well ran and there is always a big ladies field. Locally I love The Waco Annual Charity Open. The beast is my favorite local course and Ryan and Joey work super hard to pull off an outstanding event. 

What do you do to better the disc golf community and grow the sport? If you have not yet, what are some things you’d eventually like to do to help?

I started a club called Women Throwing Frisbees with my friend Laura Coffey. I worked on the PDGA Women’s Committee for a few years. I try to help with work days when I can. I have hosted several clinics and I’m currently the TX State Coordinator. 

Stephanie’s upcoming events include the 2018 Sizzler Driven by Innova and the PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. Go Stephanie!!! Texas is rooting for you 

First Open Tournament and Back to Basics

This past weekend I played my first Pro disc golf tournament at the Live Oak Summer Open and finished last. I know, I know....what a way to start a blog. But that sort of is the whole point of this blog. To watch my progress, to give insight and encouragement to others, and just to have something to express myself through this journey that is just beginning. 

Signing up for Pro was not necessarily something I thought I was ready for, but when are you ever really "ready" for anything? So, with a lot of courage, self-doubt and motivation from family and friends, I did it. And even though I finished last, I am so happy that I made that leap. 

The round started on Saturday and we had tee times. I have mixed feelings about that. I felt that the course flow was smooth and I liked being able to start a little later in the day especially when you are travelling for a tournament. You dont have to wake up at 4 a.m to get to the shotgun start. The only downside is that I am a huge people person and part of the whole disc golf experience I enjoy is getting to meet up with friends before the round, gives high 5's and get that good energy and vibes coming through. With tee times you dont really get that feeling. Everyone is on their own schedule and if they start early than you, they may not even be there when you are done. 

Back on track, Renae! (I will probably ramble a lot, so get used to it.)

We played two rounds, 27 holes per day. It was rough. My tee time was around 11:30 both days. Smack dab in the middle of the Texas heat. The first round started on the Lakeside course and after the first few holes I felt that I was playing okay. My nerves wore off a bit, my drives were average, upshots and putts were great. Somewhere in the middle of that round, I started to fall off big time. I took an 8 on a hole and literally thought "what am I doing playing Open, I am not good, I thought you love this game." Haha literally all of the emotions drained me on that hole. Later on I picked it back up and finished strong. I was chasing 8 for 1st and 3 for 2nd after a 5 1/2 hour round, just wow!

Speed up to the day 2 - I lost my shit! I never gave up, I just couldn't bring my game together. The strongest part of my game is my putts but not this day. It was bad...I mean I had some highlights of that round but was not consistent. The fight in me was worn to pieces, another 5 1/2 round proved that I was not physically or mentally prepared. 

With that being said, I know I have it in me. I am a fighter. I have always been a fighter. I will figure it out and will not stop until I do. I hope with this blog I am able to see the growth in my physical AND mental game. I will be posting tournament recaps, thoughts going on during a round/tournament/practice and steps we all could take to better ourselves mentally and physically.