Lisa Fajkus Q&A

Happy Wednesday Ya’ll!

I took a couple of days off from disc golf this weekend and it was kind of nice. Drew and I typically play every day and I almost forgot what other things we love to do. We hung out with friends, went to a concert, made delicious meals and even went on a boat party. 
Sometimes I get so caught up on wanting to get better, that I don’t give myself any breaks and I noticed that my body was telling me it’s time to rest. We’ve decided to take at least one day a week off and on one other day we will only go to putting league. It’s a start…  

Storytime!! My second ever tournament in 2016 I was placed on Sammie Jo and Lisa Fajkus card. I remember when they read the names off for cards my heart started racing, my eyes got big, and I was super nervous. My second tournament and you want me to play with Lisa Fajkus? Well it ended up being one of my favorite, most fun rounds. Lisa and Sammie Jo were so kind and encouraging that it felt that I was playing with people I knew forever. At one point, I got the box…I know…I got the box. I threw my drive and bam hit the basket. Lisa and Sammie Jo hand me a $1 each, ‘cause you know 5-1 club. Well, Lisa goes after me and aces it!!!! YEAAHHHH!! It remains one of my favorite moments in disc golf because of the support I received, the laughs we had and how chill they made it for me. Thank you both sooo much!


Today I am super excited to have our Q&A with Lisa Fajkus.

Lisa is another Texas Disc Golfer who is currently on the National Tour. She has played PDGA tournaments since 2007 with 172 career events. She is also currently #5 in the Director’s Poll for the FPO division.


How/When did you start playing disc golf?
I started playing disc golf in the summer of 2005, the year after I graduated high school. My boyfriend had a friend with discs so we went to play one day at Cat Hollow. We were hooked instantly and started playing daily. I remember calling my right arm my “Disc Golf Arm” and would protect it accordingly.

What does disc golf mean to you?
Disc golf is my life and passion, so it means everything to me. It has given me opportunities to play lots of tournaments, travel all over the US and some in Canada, meet new people, make new friends and even earn a living.


How do some of the disc golf skills you’ve learned translate into teachings in your life?
Too many to note, really, it all translates in some way.

If you could caddy for one male disc golfer and one female disc golfer, who would you select and why?
Ken Climo and Des Reading. Legends!! Plus, they are masters age and would appreciate a caddy ;)


Can you tell us a little about the tour-life?
Being on tour is such a rush because there is always something to be done to prepare for the next one. I am an Iowa as we speak preparing for the Titan Open. *Spoiler Alert – She won!!* Each day I am practicing a course or two and getting my body ready for the weekend. It’s both play and work. Meeting new people and enjoying local food and nature spots is an awesome part of being on tour. You meet the nicest people on the road who go above and beyond to open their house up to you and make sure you feel very welcomed.

What is your favorite disc golf tournament near or far and why?
My favorite event is the United States Women’s Disc Golf Championships, because it is a major just for women. I love the vibes and excitement that comes with this event. We are competing to become US Champion, so that is very exciting. Since women’s participation is low in most tournaments, I like that the field size as USWDGC are much bigger. You get to meet players from all over.

What do you do to better the disc golf community and grow the sport?
I love being involved with clinics and meet and greets on tour. Kids Disc Golf is a cool program to get kids excited about disc golf. At all the Pro Tour events, there are Kids Disc Golf pizza parties. It’s a great way to introduce kids and their parents to pro disc golfers.

Thank you, Lisa, for the interview. Texas loves you!!! Keep up the great work.

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 

Please Be Kind to Women Disc Golf Players

It takes a lot to get out of your comfort zone for anyone. Especially when you are first starting something new. Guys, you remember how awkward it was to play through a group or when you went to your first mini. Remember those feelings when a lady comes to play.

She is scared. She is embarrassed. It probably took every ounce of courage before she forced herself out the car door when she saw no other ladies. She wants to run away. She doesn't want to be a burden. Depending on how she is treated, this might be the first and last mini/tournament/group round she'll ever play.

We have eyes and ears. We can sense the disappointment in some of those that get partnered up with us. We can see the eye rolls and hear the aggravation in your voices when we missed that putt. It brings us down in a bad way. I am not saying everyone treats women in disc golf this way, but there are enough instances this has happened that it needs to be talked about.

Everyone says they want the sport to grow, and it is. But I think making women feel more comfortable and being more supportive of the women that do come out will help to grow the sport even more. At most tournaments, we dont have good turnouts. I've spoke to several women on what would drive more ladies out and here are some of the responses:

1. Please ensure that there are restrooms available at all events. Why are we having large tournaments and there is not an available portapotty or restroom anywhere near the course?? Sometimes we can go in the woods, sometimes there are no woods to hide in...and sometimes we have our monthly and there NEEDS to be an available restroom.
2. Please give a shout out and thank you to the women that did show. Recognize them in some way. Showing that you care could be enough to keep her coming back and will let others know how welcoming everyone was.
3. Please make sure you have trophies for the ladies. If the guys get trophies the girls should too. I've seen at least twice now that a girl received a generic trophy. The guys trophy lists what division Mens Advanced 2018 winner blah blah and the ladies get a 1st place... 1st place in what??? I've even saw when the ladies trophy said nothing at all.
4. Please make it a point to talk to the ladies. They may not know anyone there and feel like an outcast. Go up and introduce yourselves and let them know you are happy that she was able to make it.
5. When a girl gets placed on your card because there are not enough in her division, please give her the same courtesy you give everyone else, even if she is taking twice as many throws per hole as you are. This is also a patience exercise for all involved. Be encouraging as much as you can.

There are many other ways we can make this sport more enjoyable for the ladies. Do you have any ideas? I'd love to hear them.