With over 40 years in the sport, Kim has done it all. His experience and knowledge of all aspects of disc golf is unmatched. He’s a natural teacher who will always make time to share valuable advice, particularly with newer players. For his dedication to the sport and service to the disc golf community Kim was inducted into the ADG Hall of Fame in 2013.

Although recently turning 70, Kim remains a force to be reckoned with on the course, competing regularly and very often taking out a trophy. His PDGA record goes back just 10 years but during which he’s clocked up 34 wins from 67 events. He’s known for consistency and accuracy and if you want to beat him in competition you are going to have to come up with something special. You can get witty one liners and great advice for free, but strokes for free you will not.

In WA, when stuck in a difficult spot you’ll often hear a player ask themselves “W.W.K.D.”, standing for What Would Kim Do?. It’s a reminder to play the percentage shot that deep down you know you should…Let’s learn some more from the man himself.

Playing Division: MA50
Current Rating: 893
Predominant throw: Right Hand Back Hand

Q: What are your strengths as a player?

A: I try to make decisions based on minimizing risk of damage to my score by events like going OB, missing a Mando or running a death putt. When I make a mistake, my response is to try to sharpen my focus.

Q: What is your best or most memorbale competition result to date?

A: Finally making the Semifinals at Am Worlds in 2019 after years and years of coming up short. The icing on the cake was playing the last qualifying Round while having my dear friend and wonderful host Mark Hauser as my Caddie and doing him proud with a fantastic Birdie on my finishing hole, the dangerous Ninth Hole at Kline’s Run.

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to every new player for lowering scores, what would that be?

A: See my answer to Q1, consider risks and play appropriately.

Q: Upshots. What is your secret for (your remarkable) consistency in hitting your mark?

A: Chose the slowest speed disc that you know will comfortably get to the basket and try to execute the throw so that the technique would have appeared slow and smooth on a video replay. Consistent with my answer to Q1, the video replay is of a park job, not a Go Pro of an Ace run, unless you are collecting Aces at Chichester Park.

Q: Currently, what disc do you find yourself pulling out of the bag more than most, and what do you use it for? A: I am quite often using a Pig as an overstable Putter to attempt a soft sidearm run at the Basket from Circle’s edge out to 20m.

Q: What top pro player do you look up to and why? A: For backhand drives I hope that eventually an adaption of the technique of Catrina Allen is key for controlled distance; for sidearm drives I hope that (Estonian) Silver Latt’s form will egg me on to discover the golden goose and Paul McBeth is a good role model for how to aspire to improve course management. I know the question only asked for one player, but as my late Mum used to say “things always happen in threes”. Thanks Kim, and good luck for ADGD!

by Dave Kynaston and thanks and credit to Kingsley Flett for all images.

To kick off our ‘local legend’ series of player profiles we feature a player who left this world too early; but who’s love for the sport, spirit and generosity left lasting memories with those who knew him. 

Iain Smith was a friend to many in Tassie disc golf but also across Australia. He started playing in 2014; developing his game on the steep hills of the world-renowned Poimena Reserve. Within a year of playing seriously he won the MA1 division in the Australian Championships on his home course. He followed this up with a further four-from-four MA1 wins over 2016 and 2017 including twice in the Two Heads Open.   

He was known as a naturally talented player who practiced hard and quickly mastered the technical side of the game.  His form was smooth, and he specialised in controlling mid-ranges and fairway drivers on shots where many others would use faster discs. He also worked hard to develop an excellent putting stroke, somewhat reminiscent of his hero Paul McBeth. 

Of the man himself, one of his disc golf mates said:   

Iain was a really lovely guy who was easy to get along with. He made everyone around him feel welcome and comfortable. On the course he was certainly focused on his game, but he was also really encouraging of those around him and maintained a positive mindset. 

Steven Wright

Iain’s legacy and allegiance to disc golf is celebrated each year in a memorial event in his name held at Poimena. 

Many thanks and credit for input, quotes and images to: Ollie Mundy-Castle, Damien Williams, Steven Wright, Chris Wright, Richard Sampson, Kingsley Flett

By Dave Kynaston

PDGA #130941
Current Rating: 956
Playing Division: MPO
Predominant throw: Right hand back hand

Sponsors: 

Hyzerflight and Aus Discs

The future is bright for this remarkable young player.  Blake is 15 years old and has been playing for just two years.  He’s a state level athlete in discus and javelin and when he’s not competing or training (or at school) he’s clocking up countless hours on the disc golf course or local oval.  He is a natural talent for sure, but he’s also worked hard to progress his game and is already firmly amongst the top flight of WA’s MPO division.   

Here’s some numbers:  In 2021 Blake has competed (in MPO) in five tournaments and has taken second places four times, and just last weekend a third place at Pine Lines in the A-tier Perth Open.  He’s thrown two 1,000+ rated rounds in competition and his current rating is 956.  He drives 450 feet without breaking sweat and his form, arm speed and shot shaping are truly impressive. 

If he can get to this level in his first two years, where can he go in the next few?? 

Let’s hear from Blake. @blakeh1306

Q: What are your strengths as a player?
A: Distance Drives and touchy upshots

Q: What is your best or favourite competition result to date?
 A: Probably the Red Tail Open 2021 where I shot a 9 under 1017 rated round on the blue layout at Mundaring and finished second place in MPO.

Q: What are your disc golfing ambitions and plans for the next two or three years?
A: I’d love to keep improving my game and to play the ADG Aussie tour events when possible and play Am Worlds or Junior Worlds when international travel returns. 

Q: Can you share a top form tip or something that substantially helped you improve your play?
A: I believe lots of field work and getting to know how your discs fly on an open oval will add touch and control to your game.  Practicing your putting and driving technique is also key for developing a smooth comfortable routine.

Q: What top pro player do you look up to and why?
A: My favourite pro is Eagle McMahon. We have similar game aspects such as big distance and playing aggressively to gain strokes. I love how he leaves the Jomez Pro commentators speechless from throwing ridiculous shots.  Eagle is definitely my top pick for the world title this year.    

Q: What is your favourite disc in your bag right now and what do you use it for?
A: I love my Discraft Brodie Smith Crystal Zflx Zone. It’s a gummy stable approach disc that sticks and I can shape any shot with this disc. The Zone is probably the most thrown disc in my bag.

Thanks Blake