INTERVIEW with Jim Klem President/Founder DDGC

[CEValkyrie]

When & Why did you start DISContinuum Disc Golf Club?

[jim]

Brett, you must never sleep....  :-)

Wow, an interview. I've always imagined being interrogated, not interviewed. OK, here goes:



Although there seemed to be plenty of disc golfers in the area, not many were outgoing or forthcoming with local or national disc information. (This was back in '92-'95 when I played Alder three times a week.) There was a general lack of mentoring the novices, info on disc sales, and only two courses in 50 miles, and the other was a target course in Wilmette.

When I discovered beautiful little Bevier, it felt like home. It seemed like a good place for me to learn the game better, and eventually introduce new people to disc golf. No super long holes, no pros taking your money week after week, no police busts every Tuesday for kids drinking on the wooded holes: a place to actually PLAY the game.

Back then I played nearly exclusively with Chud, Paul, Jennifer and a friend named Kim. After a year or so, we were hoping to meet some new players, so we went to a few tournaments. That's when the bug bit me again; seeing hundreds of players having fun on new courses blew me away. How fun! And most of the people I met were ultra-cool. So I glided into the PDGA, immersed myself in information, took the Officials exam, and played a lot of courses. When I returned to Bevier, the lack of a large disc golf population became more apparent. I made up my mind, with backing and ideas from Chud and Paul (who really should share co-foundership titles), to start some sort of club for Bevier. I envisioned creating something that would bring more players out, give them information on anything relating to disc golf, and provide a vehicle for installing more courses sometime.

In Feb. 2000, I started Fling & Ching, which went awry after Mike Holgate from "Ching" threatened to sue us for name infringement. Thus, to avoid some malarky (man, I just want to play disc) on February 14th, 2001, DISContinuum was born; at least as a website. I just picked a date and started a Best Shot league. It has just taken off from there.

My vision remains the same: play for fun; spread the fun around to new players; promote the sport so that its continued popularity benefits the players; if the community supports you, give something back. And always leave the course cleaner than when you arrived! Woo-hoo!

[jim]

Well..... depending on the course being played, I'd have to choose between a big bead Aviar and my KCPro Firebird. E.g.: if Bevier, I'd chose the Aviar.  If Ephraim White Park in Bowling Green (monster-huge, open course), I'd grab my KCPro Firebird.

[jim]

OK, I've got multiple posts to answer here.....



I believe the first members were me, Paul C, CHUD, Danny Wheeler, Billy Christensen, Bill Conover, Brent Martinson, and maybe Brett.



My favorite courses are: Standing Rocks, Token Creek, Yulga, Dretzka, Anna Page, West Park, and Bevier (Henry Pfau Callahan).



Regarding the monkey, it is not on my buttocks, rather it is on my back. The monkey does have a name, and it is "Lack of Ability".  The monkey rears his ugly and hairy head every time I need to throw over 325 feet.  :-)

[jim]

Oooh... I have LOTS of visions! But those that pertain to disc golf are:



1. Upgrade Bevier to 18 holes with all upgrades baskets.

2. Keep improving 4 annual tourneys at Bevier.

3. DISContinuum PDGA event at any local course (esp Bevier after 18-holes).

4. 100+ club members with major sponsorship and a multi-divisional traveling team.

5. A really strong Juniors League with 30+ kids showing up to play frequently.

6. Someday, we're gonna play Bevier's unspoken hole. The hole which does not exist to the public and which may never be spoken of. Dare I say it . . . the Gilligan hole!



Those are the biggies.  Lots of other ideas floating around, but I'd be very happy if we could accomplish a few of these. And I know that with the leadership I'm seeing from you guys, folks will be flinging in style for a long time.......

[CEValkyrie]

You mentioned Paul & Chud helped you create DISContinuum Disc Golf Club. Who were the first 5 members of DISContinuum?

[CEValkyrie]

Jimbo, what up? Let's keep this interview going!

What is your favorite disc. Limit it to this. You are in the final round or a tournament & the TD says "you can only use 1 disc for the final 9 holes." What disc would you want.

[CEValkyrie]

How many courses have you played? Which one is your favorite?

[CEValkyrie]

What are your visions for DISContinuum Disc Golf Club in the next 5 years?