Have you seen an episode of Central Coast Disc Golf’s “Champs vs. Chumps” series? If you know about this blog, you probably have. And if you haven’t, the concept is simple …
Two Pro Tour disc golfers play doubles against a rotating foursome of average-Joe disc golfers who volunteer to throw at the start of every hole. These amateur golfers come from the massive gallery of Central Coast fans who follow along on foot, hoping for a chance to participate.
It’s a good time; it makes for great viewing.
One thing’s always stood out to me, though …
The Chumps are awful.
Like, I don’t know what back alley these guys (and gals) crawled out from to huck a shot or two, but if you’re ever down on your game, watch a half-hour of any “Champs vs. Chumps” episode, and you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world. In fact, I recently asked Nate Sexton about it …
Here’s what he told me:
“Strong words from a likely Chump who hasn’t felt the heat of the cameras.”
There’s a reason Sexton does what he does for a living, and there’s a reason I do what I do for a living. He knows what he’s talking about, and I have a word-processor that won’t fight back.
Regardless …
He’s right.
Forget about YouTube. Forget about Daddy Sexton. Forget about “Champs vs. Chumps,” too. During a casual round, should you find yourself in a situation in which you have to throw with an audience of ANY kind or size, it’s absolutely terrifying. And nobody nearby even has a camera to immortalize it on the internet. You know these sorts of happenings, I’m sure …
- The large, slow group up ahead invites you to play through.
- An elderly couple with no knowledge of disc golf stops to watch.
- Dog-walkers pause for you to throw before taking to a jogging path.
- Kids on a nearby playground take a sudden interest in your flying toys.
No, it doesn’t always happen …
But the frequent result?
Shame.
If you know, you know: Disc golf gets substantially harder with onlookers nearby. So to those lucky few of you who’ve participated in “Champs vs. Chumps” and made a complete and total fool of yourself in the process, from the deepest, darkest confines of my stony heart …
I’m sorry.
Now put this blindfold on.
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It took me some time before I grew the balls to play through in front of other groups. Even if I embarrassingly card a bogey while I jog/sprint playing through it’s better than waiting 10 mins at every tee box as I watch a group of 6 bros putt with corvettes and destroyers.
I’ll have to check out the champs vs chumps. We recently did something like this. The guy who got all of us into disc golf has been playing for 16 years and plays MPO when he shows up to a tournament. It started as a joke when my buddy and I took him on playing doubles against him on our 2nd round of 18. It became a bet- bring a 3rd and we would take him on playing triples best shot against his singles round. I’m not normally a betting man, but for $20 each we had a chance to take $30 from him. So three MA3 golfers against one MPO…
We were actually up by 2 with 4 holes to play when we ended up parring out and he birdied the last 4 for a decisive 2 stroke victory.
It was one of the most fun rounds I ever played- even if it cost me $20.
That’s a great idea, Kurt!
I don’t know anybody who’s THAT good …
Otherwise, I might try the format out for myself.
And yes, you NEED to give “Champs vs. Chumps” a try …
It’s a hoot, even if you’re not big into YouTube.
YouTube is my main form of media. I’m addicted to jomez pro, MDG media, DGPT coverage etc.
Speaking of which – did you catch the practice round last week with Scott Stokely and big Jerm?? I don’t usually watch the practice rounds but that was hilarious! They better make Scott a regular!
I didn’t, no!
Thanks for the tip …
I love watching Scott – I’ll be sure to check that out 🙂
Stokely is my absolute favorite. I’m not hyping it up- it won’t disappoint.
Thanks for the tip, Kurt!
You were totally right about champs vs chumps. I gotta say though the best part about it has to be Sexton’s commentary. Especially the smack talk. Not saying it would be a flop without him, but he definitely makes it what it is.
Oh, no doubt …
He’s merciless.
Better them than me, I suppose.
This sounds amazing. I want in…. As maybe an MA2? Sometimes a 1 depending on my night of sleep
Oh man! So this just happened to me today…
Picture this…
Hole one and to the right is two picnic tables. One much safer than the other has two dead heads chatting. I throw one of my worst most nose up drives ever and my brand new star TL hits the further picnic bench.
These guys start giving me so much crap… but I mean I deserve it. I then proceed to throw my champion roc3 into a tree 15 ft in front of me. I ended up carding a 5! But hey the bounce back birdie on hole 2 was epic! Of course there was nobody there but me to witness it.
Been there. Done that.
Again and again …
And again.
This is tough, because you do NOT care what the “dead-heads” think, but man …
You’d at least like for ’em to know you’re not totally incompetent.