The Fairly Slighted Am 1 Players

We've talked and talked and talked about those highly paid, explosive, bag kicking Pro Open Vermont disc golfers. But, we haven't spoken much about the Am 1 division. It seems like its high time to do so.

The Pinnacle Spring Run-off will be the first tournament of the 2012 Green Mountain Disc Golf Club Points Series. Since its right around the corner, I'll do a quick break down of players who are currently registered to play in Am 1.

Josh Wedel: Played well last year in Am 1 and finished the year ranked 6^th. Won the Sap Bucket, even though it was invaded by Southern NEFA players (and despite the rainy, slippery, gross weather we had). Wedel is also an up-and-coming Tournament Director. Last year he helped TD the Sap Bucket, so we know extra responsibilities won't slow him down. He can putt, has hit a bunch of important aces, and can be a very steady golfer.

If Wedel doesn't place well this year, I'll contribute it to a lack of focus. He's newly married, will be taking on more disc golf responsibilities, and can be distracted by the social element of tournament disc golf.

Justin DeVico: When he started playing disc golf, DeVico was nothing more than an Am 2 chump that wasn't a concern to his opponents. He's quickly become a force in Vermont disc golf. He's seriously committed to perfecting his craft, which definitely isn't the case for many of his opponents. DeVico can putt, again, because he practices a lot. Some jerk sold him a basket last year and its been downhill for the rest of us ever since. He's also an apprentice of Young Bucks, so you know he's had the winning mentality drilled into his head.

If DeVico doesn't place well this year, I'll contribute it to being easily distracted. This dude can talk more than anyone else you might play with. And I mean before, during, and after your shots. Plus, he's taking on home ownership and course building. So, that may severely cut into his practice time. We'll have to wait and see.

Spencer Weatherholt: He's a good dude. I've played as his partner in doubles and as his opponent in last year's division. When playing against him (and with him being a newcomer to Vermont/New Hampshire) I tried to give him the old New England Ice Out, but he's just too nice of a guy for it. All of my work being mean to him and ignoring him was for naught. He's a good player and a genuine nice guy. He's got an arsenal of shots in his bag and has a pretty laid back disc golfing style.

If Spencer doesn't place well this year, I'll contribute it to getting down on himself. He's laid back but he can definitely get in his own way. Staying calm and playing good tournament disc golf will be the secret to his success.

Ira Divoll: I got this guy into disc golf and now he thinks he's earned the right to beat me. I don't think I'm going to let it happen, but Ira's going to try his best to prove me wrong. I mentioned how nice of a guy Spencer is, but he pales in comparison to Ira. And I don't mean that as a knock to Spencer, its just that Ira is the nicest guy you might ever meet.

He's got a solid mental game, can throw farther every day, and uses disc golf as an escape from a very hectic work life. Ira takes everything in his life seriously, including his disc golf play and practice. Plus, he plays super challenging Mass courses every time he plays. I predicted him to have a breakout Am 2 season last year, but maybe I should have been thinking about his breakout Am 1 season this year.

If Ira doesn't place well this year, I'll contribute it to a hectic schedule. He drives north from Mass for every GMDGC tournament. Its got to take a toll on his tournament play. Then again, I think he sees that as a challenge, which just adds to the sweetness of it when he plays well.

Edwin Bedell: Pass. Edwin hasn't earned the right for a write-up yet, but he's getting there.

Andy Powell: Lots of people take pride in beating me, but no one takes more pride in it than Andy Powell. Andy's been at the center of a lot of controversy in the Circle Three world, but he's no worse for wear. When he's on, he's on and he can play some solid disc. He's a stocky guy who can really throw it far. The Powell Park is named after him, after all.

If Andy doesn't place well this year, I'll contribute it to... well, you guessed it, his mental game. Andy will tell you there's no such thing as a mental game. I'd counter that there's nothing but a mental game, especially for Andy. One day he aspires to be a Bag Kicking Pro. He's got the bag kicking down, but I'm not sure about the Pro part yet.

Justin Kaulius: The King of the Circle Three empire. A roller coaster of disc golf performances. Went from a championship Am 2 season to a terribly disappointing Am 1 season. Last year it looked like he couldn't hang with the top ams at all. When he putts well he can play well, so look for that to be the secret to success. Also throws forehand and backhand, which can be adventageous.

If Justin doesn't place well this year, I'll contribute it to his mental game, or quitting disc golf for good. I think that's enough said about that.

Matt Zabawa: Another up and coming Am 2 player who's making the move to Am 1. Zabawa had a rough year last year on a personal level, but he's ready to make a strong comeback. Just don't ask him to do any yard work for you. Zabawa's driven by beating his friends in the division, so it seems like most tournaments can be personal for him. He'd love nothing more than to beat the pants off of Justin DeVico.

If Matt doesn't place well this year, I'll contribute it to not quite being ready for Am 1. He finished 6^th in Am 2 last year and is making a bit of a bold move to Am 1. I think its a solid choice and I commend him for it, but I can tell you that the move up ain't easy. Zabawa may experience that first hand this year.   

As more slackers sign up for Pinnacle and other tournaments in the Am 1 division, we'll get some more profiles up.  For now, keep putting.