Interview Series: Johnny Betts

There have been a lot of firsts recently for the Circle Three Blog. First we had our first field correspondent, Scott Moulton. Now Circle Three will be bringing you an interview series. Up first is the venerable Johnny Betts. Betts is the owner of Black Falls Disc Golf and considered by some to be the Godfather of Vermont disc golf.

You may not know this, but he is the one and only winner of the Green Mountain Points Series. The series has existed for three years and he's won the Pro division each time. He owns one amazing disc golf course and has been instrumental in getting Cherry Hill established.  Plus, we're just a few days away from my favorite tournament of the year, Montgomery's Run for the Border.  

So, sit back and enjoy Circle Three's 9 Questions with Mr. Betts.

Circle Three: What sports did you play growing up? Do you think the experience helped with disc golf?

Johnny Betts: Baseball. Helped with accuracy and throwing power.

C3: What was your first disc golf experience like?

JB: Played at Sheady Acres with a putter and threw an even par. Hooked from the first throw and immediately started building Black Falls.

C3: You own a rather amazing course, Black Falls in Montgomery, Vermont. What is your single proudest moment as a course owner?

JB: My first NEFA tournament, watching [Matt] Alberghini playoff against Bucky Worboys.

C3: What is the best disc golf course you've ever played.

JB: Cherry Hill.

C3: You have a pretty solid reputation as a quality disc golfer. Which Vermonter do you think has what it takes to win the GMPS this year?

JB: Chris Punk Ass Young.

C3: Who are the up and coming disc golfers that Vermont should look out for?

JB: Jeff Spring, Emmett Cosgrove, and [Dave] Frothingham.

C3: What's one disc that every disc golfer needs in his or her bag?

JB: Buzzz.

C3: If you ruled disc golf what would you change?

JB: The concept of par. [Scratch scoring average] should be the standard on how to rate your play. Par is meaningless in [disc golf] because there is no set standard. It is the total strokes that matters. Every course should have an established SSA so you can compare yourself to a 1000 rated golfer.

C3: Any last words?

JB: The Donkey should be chosen as the mascot for disc golf.