Jonathan Jonas – NSW – PDGA#36449

Playing Division MP40

Current Rating: 934

Q: How long have you been playing and how did you get introduced to the sport?

A: I’m ADG member #39 – I started playing in Sydney in 2006 back when Albert Munoz, Sally Hill, Luke Williams and Kurt Karlsson were setting up a temporary course on campus grounds at Macquarie Uni. It had some fun shots, including a throw through the fountain.

Q: What are your strengths as a player?

A: I’m consistent and accurate, hit most fairways and approach well. I have less distance off the tee than most pro players.

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

A: Winning the first Jesmond Jam in a playoff against Martin Ryland-Adair in the pouring rain was a highlight, also it was so exciting representing Australia at the previous World Teams event in Estonia and competing against the big European teams with my friends and team mates.

Q: What are your disc golfing ambitions and plans for the next two or three years?

A: I’m excited to keep growing disc golf in the Newcastle and Central Coast areas, we put in a new (short) course at East Maitland in January which has been really popular and I’d like to keep that momentum going.Q: Can you share a practice tip or something you learned that substantially helped you improve your play. A: To echo Dave Bandy, “I just like watching it fly’.

Q: What is your favourite disc in your bag right now and what do you use it for?

A: Pro Cobra is my favourite for straight approach shots with glide, I have 2 very well used copies and will be sad when they break as I think they’re out of production in Pro plastic now.

Thanks JJ, fantastic to have you representing Australia for a second time.

by David Kynaston

Darren Stace-Smith – VIC – PDGA #92242

Playing Division: MPO

Current Rating: 958

How long have you been playing and how did you get introduced to the sport?

5 years in Australia. But I actually got my start back in Canada where I grew up. Used to work as a lifeguard near a course, and once found a disc on the roof of the pool guardhouse. Went and gave a few throws a try, and was instantly interested. We used to play with one disc only, until we lost it, and had to buy a new one from the local video store! Always fun rounds, never kept score officially. Pretty soon after I started playing a lot with my brother and buddies.

What are your strengths as a player?

A reasonable amount of power and spin, allows me to throw slower discs on holes that others might require a higher speed disc. Being lefty can also be a blessing (or a curse) depending on the course we are playing. I see holes and lines that are often different than my right-handed compatriots.

What is your best or favourite competition result to date?

Back in my days of amateur play, winning back-to-back MA1 Aussie champs was pretty special. As an MPO player, I would have to say getting my first win in an Aussie A-Tier (2021 Two Heads Open) was up there too.

What are your disc golfing ambitions and plans for the next two or three years?

Consistency is always where I’m trying to improve. Keeping the mental fortitude throughout all tournament or comp rounds. I hope to help with being the driving force behind getting more courses installed in and around Melbourne, and developing programs aimed at youngsters who are trying the game for the first time.

Can you share a practice tip or something you learned that substantially helped you improve your play?

Work on angles, no matter what sort of power you have. Get used to being able to shape shots with different discs. The more options you have, the less you’ll be frightened by the conditions or difficulty of the course!

What top pro player do you look up to and why?

Nate Sexton. He plays the game with so much thought and is able to be pinpoint accurate to overcome perhaps some shortfalls in power by thinking through his rounds so well.

What is your favourite disc in your bag right now and what do you use it for?

I am loving my strata RPM Kotuku at moment. Such a great workable midrange. Hard to look past an RPM Tui though, everyone needs one of those in their bag!

Thanks Darren, can’t wait to see you tear it up in Croatia!

🖋 David Kynaston

Effective: 14th February 2022

Purpose

The Covid landscape has changed since the last ADG guidelines implemented in May 2020. These updated guidelines outline what is required to participate in and run disc golf events in Australia. The scope of the Covid Guidance includes local leagues, small events, and tournaments making up the ADG tour. These guidelines have been put together considering that disc golf is a non-contact sport played outdoors in small groups.

 

Requirements for Participation

Players, officials and spectators (participants) must not attend an event if they:

• have a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19
• have any COVID like symptoms
• are required to self-isolate in accordance with current local government policy

Participants must:

• Be an ADG member with up to date contact details recorded if they are either a player or official.
• Check event communications to keep up to date on how the event will run and under what conditions
• Understand that some events will implement measures above local requirements, such as the need to be vaccinated, use QR codes to check in or wear a face mask to participate.
• Follow all event requirements
• For events with a vaccination mandate, proof of vaccination status must be provided to the TD on request. Participants who are not vaccinated or choose not to share their vaccination status won’t be able to compete.
• For other events, you are encouraged to share your vaccination status if asked by the Tournament Director (TD), however you may also choose not to share that information.
• Contact event organisers and relevant health authorities if diagnosed with COVID-19 in the week following the event.
• Cease play and alert event organisers if feeling unwell or experiencing any of the known Covid symptoms during the event.
• Assess their own risk considering their age, medical conditions, situation and contacts.
• Incorporate COVID safe practices into play
  • Practice social distancing of 1.5 m.
  • Ensure tee box is clear before entering.
  • Avoid touching other participants’ person -no handshakes, high 5s, hugs etc.
  • Avoid touching other participants’ discs, equipment and belongings.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.

Event Requirements

Events must be run per local public health orders in place on the day of the event. It is essential to be prepared to respond to changes in your area. TDs and clubs running events may implement measures above their local requirements, such as the need to be meet a defined minimum level of vaccination, use QR codes to check-in or wear a mask to participate. Such requirements should be clearly stipulated in event information provided prior and at time of registration. Those wishing to implement such measures for event staff or players have the support of ADG.

Event Organisers must

• Be aware of local public health orders and restrictions and abide by them.
• Communicate with players about how the event will run using the event website, facebook page or mailing lists – where practical in advance of registration.
• Retain an attendance record of all participants names and contact details, including player groupings
• Have hand sanitizer available for participants to use when they arrive and prior to leaving.
• Remind participants to socially distance, and of their other obligations as detailed above.

Event considerations:

• Avoid gatherings of participants as much as practical, for example hold players meetings and award ceremonies online, post groups and scores online.
• For larger groups use Tee-times, flex start or ‘go straight to your hole’ shotgun starts to avoid entrants gathering.
• Use electronic scoring systems
• Collect payment and registrations online.

In the event of a COVID case at an event

Participants must

• Inform event organisers if they are feeling unwell during the event or if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 in the week following the event.

Event Organisers must

• Respect the individual’s privacy and not name the individual in any future correspondence to the playing group.
• Alert other participants that they were possibly exposed at the event and to monitor for symptoms.
• Seek advice from relevant health authorities if there are any high-risk concerns (eg high-risk population, significant time spent indoors etc.

Failure to comply

Anyone not complying with these guidelines or abusing TDs, officials or other players will have their ADG membership, and therefore the ability to play disc golf events in Australia, reviewed.