Your Next Pro?

We've talked about it before. The year 2011 was a pretty epic one for the Vermont disc golf scene. Chris Young stole the show. However, the Am group may provide us with the most drama in the off-season. Who's going to move up? Who's going to stay in the Am category and bag it next year? Is anyone going to make the huge leap from Am 2 to Pro?

Well, keep asking the questions and I'll keep finding the answers. Circle Three is proud to announce our very first Am to Pro jump of 2011.

He looks unassuming, but don't be fooled.

Bachnein's own Rang Duce is going Pro for 2012. He'll officially become the first GMDGC Am to move to Pro this year. He'll be the first Twin Falls player to go Pro. And he'll become Bachnein's first ever sponsored Pro. Wow. Pretty heady stuff.

Bachnein partner Taylor Johnson and Rang Duce

Rang told me that he was worried about playing poorly in Pro next year and getting beat up by the veterans. But then he just decided he wouldn't. Not that he wouldn't play Pro. Just that he wouldn't play poorly and get beat up. I love it. That's the kind of confidence he'll need in next year's top division. Admit it, the man knows how to handle stress. He battled last year and he battled this year.

His career highlight tells a little about Rang Duce's overall mindset. This past year he ended up on the second card at Black Falls V. A stellar score of 51 on Gold to Gold in the final round not only catapulted him off the second card but actually gave him the win with an 8 stroke lead over the next closest finisher. He's not one to give up and can't ever be counted out of a tournament.

Rang Duce (center) and a few of his loyal supporters

Of course, in Pro, it won't be so easy. But I think Rang Duce is ready for the next challenge. He got his Am win and in a very noble fashion he's going to make the Pro jump. I'll miss him in the Am division, but its nice to see him move up. Good luck, Rang Duce.