Tired of seeing Paul McBeth at the top of the leaderboard at seemingly every Pro Tour event? If so, know this much: You’re not alone. Still, you’d better strap in for continued dominance …
In even the most established of individual sports – think tennis or ball golf, for example – it’s nearly impossible to control a season in its entirety. There are simply too many elite athletes. They’ve dedicated their lives to the same craft. Getting a genuine “foothold” at the top?
Yeah, it just doesn’t happen all that often …
The ones who do are transcendent, generational superstars:
- Tiger Woods
- Roger Federer
- Serena Williams
Joey Chestnut’s another name that comes to mind, obviously.
Disc golf hasn’t always been the new, growth-driven sport it is today. Early on, McBeth saw an opportunity. He committed to a game that, at least initially, might’ve not had the most promising outlook. The gamble paid off. He’s made it big. To date, nobody greater has ever thrown a disc.
That was then. This is now.
On July 9, Paul McBeth will turn 32 – he’s not getting any younger. Counting this year, he’s got eight seasons left before his eligibility for the Pro Master 40+ (MP40) division kicks in.
Hands down, the best model we have for an elite, aging disc golfer is Ken “The Champ” Climo. Climo owns 12 world championships (he won nine in a row in the ‘90s) and five USDGC titles. He was also named PDGA Male Player of the Year every year from 1994 to 2000.
Players who finished 1st or 2nd in 9 straight PDGA Pro Worlds:
— StatMando (@statmando) February 1, 2022
11 – Ken Climo: ‘90 – ‘00
9 – Des Reading: ‘02 – ‘10
9 – Paul McBeth: ‘12 – present
Back in his heyday, it’s safe to say Climo owned the sport of disc golf.
Climo played his first MP40 event in 2012 at the age of 44 – it was Masters Worlds. He won by nine strokes over Barry Schultz. McBeth has won five world titles in the last ten years against a field that’s matured significantly, along with the sport itself. If he maintains that pace of play, it wouldn’t be a stretch for him to win four more Worlds before aging into the MP40 field.
Realistically, though, there’s nothing to suggest it’ll get easier to win world titles in the coming years. If you don’t believe me, go back and watch JomezPro’s coverage of McBeast’s first world title in 2012. Coincidentally, the coverage of the final nine holes of that tournament is the second-oldest video on the entirety of JomezPro’s YouTube channel – wild stuff …
Feel old yet?
Now compare that footage with something more current:
There’s a massive difference between the two – that’s evidence of a sport on the rise.
Paul will be forced to deal with an army of young golfers who, quite frankly, couldn’t care less about how long he’s been in the sport. The epic playoff finish at the 2022 Las Vegas Challenge felt like a sneak peek of what’s soon to be a regular Pro Tour occurrence: 16-year-old Gannon Buhr, seemingly out of nowhere, up against the wily, 26-year-old veteran in Drew Gibson.
Paul’s window may be shrinking, but he’s not about to back down …
He’s responded by continuing to win titles: three majors and twenty-six wins since 2019.
He’ll keep winning somewhat consistently for at least the next ten years or so – potentially fifteen. Of course, the wins will decrease as he ages, but McBeth’s a household name forever.
So, who will be the next young superstar to take his place? It’s hard to say for sure. More than a few under-25 golfers with “GOAT” status on the mind are poised to make a run at the vacancy McBeth will leave behind: Kyle Klein, Gannon Buhr, Adam Hammes, Eagle McMahon, etc.
Paul’s still got a long way to go, but no worries …
When he leaves, the sport will be in good hands.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
That is pretty cool! Does he make
much of a living? I did not know you founded the Elon team!
Hey, Jeff – thanks for reading!
Paul McBeth is at the top of our sport.
And yes, he makes a VERY good living – check this out from The Ringer: https://bit.ly/3DuEWdt
And Luke’s the “Elon Guy” around here!
Again, appreciate you reading and commenting – have an awesome day 🙂