http://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/usa-maps/usa-regional-map.jpg

Who are the top regional players? Besides the well known players on tour, who dominates their part of the country? I expect these players to be consistently cashing if not winning events in their respective areas. If they do travel, they probably place well, but don't necessarily take down NTs and the like.

I can only speak for the NW (Oregon and Washington) and I'll save my comments for later in the thread. I'd like to know the players out there that are well known in their state, but don't get national attention.

Feel free to go by state, or by the map I provided (It doesn't matter to me).

http://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/usa-maps/usa-regional-map.jpg

dont know about the entire southeast, but here in FL you better be on top of your game. John E McCray wins the Florida tour nearly every year for the past decade or so. Also we have some guy named champ, Alesky Bubis, Brian Moore, Garrett Gurthie, CR Willey that can throw down some serious rounds.

Great Lakes Region... (1000+ rated guys with significant #s of rounds)
MN - Cale Leiviska, Timmy Gill, Jon Drummond, Ross Brandt, Kyle Pinkman
WI - Barry Schultz, Chris Heeren
IL - Chris Sprague
IN - Brent Koontz
MI - Geoff Bennett, Al Schack, Ziggy Bierekoven, Mike Raley
OH - Brad Schick, Tyler Horne, Matt Blakely

va- brian skinner
md- pat pitts
pa- nate krahn
de- moser
nj- brinster
wv- sias

va- brian skinner
Stephen Miller might have something to say about that

one tournament in 3 years does not the top player in the state make, even if it was a VERY good tournament.

one tournament in 3 years does not the top player in the state make, even if it was a VERY good tournament.

I think that is the point of the thread, those that don't get out much but play well when they do.
Good topic dion.

No doubt, Matty Orum is the cream of the SN crop.
John Fowler is a force and can sink any putt.

John also travels (VA, Vibram Open, ...) and competes!

That regional map is for the birds.

steve timm

TN = Kris Orrick, Will Schusterick, Jacky Logan

Nobody knows anybody from WA so I will mention a couple few. The player with the most upside is no doubt Chandler Fry. Honorable mentions go to Mike leslie, Mike Cain, and even though they are getting old, Marty Cook, Mike Werth, and Scott Papa can throw a frisbee. The NW is getting better, look out!

Georgia - most travel and are names - (listed alphabetically) Arthur, Hammock, McCoy -

Those that travel in the area and sometimes out of it you may not know as well - Josh Childs, Matt Dollar, Rand Eberhard, Jason Makarovich, Brett Rousseau

Other states I don't know as well as GA, except touring guys, but ones I've seen to meet your question are listed here:

NC - Cam Todd, Stan McDaniel - doesn't play as much and most newer players probably aren't as aware of who they are and JJ
SC - Mel Shuman
TN - Jake Nye added to list from Breeze although KO and Shu are pretty well known
KY - Shawn Sinclair - doesn't play as much and most newer players probably aren't as aware of who he is
AL - Monroe / Lavone
MS - Dean Pfeifer
FL - The already mentioned McCray and "Double G"

Add to NC: Jeremy Koling (ROY), Jeb Bryant, Henry Childress, Michael Hoffman, LL, Walt Haney, Matt Peckham, Matt Keatts (09 AM World Champ)and probably some others.

Schwebby and MJ are always contenders, but I think Dion and many others know those guys already.

And I can't believe I forgot to mention NC's phenom high schooler David Wiggins Jr.

What happened to Justin Bunell?

from Southern California- Steve Rico, Bobby Musick, Chris Vilmorin, Carlo Pelg, Steve Wisecup, Micah Dorius, Snapper Pierson, Paul McBeth, Philo Brathwaite, Gabe Cota, Richard Thompson

More southern california guys who dont go out of town to much but are close or over 1000 rated -Chris Brophy,Mark Collicott,David Devine,Chris Kunde,Grorge Spracklen,Kyle Crabtree,Ken & Marc Jarvis(held distance record for a few minutes), Robert McIntee,Our best girl Emily Hardy And our new guy Josh Damron who can throw over 500" in flipp flops. Hope that helps a little

CO/WY - Mike Randolph, Joe Rovere, Mitch Sonderfan, Jay Burghart, Zak Martin, Pat Blazek, Joey Kozlowski, Robert Nichols, Evan Brummert, Pat Lien, Randy Lahm are all at the top of a bunch of rock solid players

Watch out for that Joe Rovere guy on tour next year! He's gonna make a big impact as one of the new up and coming players. He's already like 1017 rated was only a 920 player just a lil over 2 years ago. He's a great example of what you're talking about Dion.

Add to NC: Jeremy Koling (ROY), Jeb Bryant, Henry Childress, Michael Hoffman, LL, Walt Haney, Matt Peckham, Matt Keatts (09 AM World Champ)and probably some others.

Schwebby and MJ are always contenders, but I think Dion and many others know those guys already.

You are missing the IMPORTANT part of the post which asks:
<b>Who are the top regional players? Besides the well known players on tour, who dominates their part of the country?</b>

Koling, Childress, 1F2N's,Larry, Haney, and Peckham all tour quite a bit.

More southern california guys who dont go out of town to much but are close or over 1000 rated -Chris Brophy,Mark Collicott,David Devine,Chris Kunde,Grorge Spracklen,Kyle Crabtree,Ken & Marc Jarvis(held distance record for a few minutes), Robert McIntee,Our best girl Emily Hardy And our new guy Josh Damron who can throw over 500" in flipp flops. Hope that helps a little

Kyle Crabtree is now enjoying the rain and cold up here in washington state. Holding an umbrella during a mist and claiming himself a human 7 layer during our chilli days near the 20s.

Jared penington the codage' is the best non touring player n Oklahoma but coda is the best.

In Indiana you might throw Matt Marckese,Pete Barbee,Tony Hoel,Brian Miller,Jim Trueblood,and Jerry Suiter in there.

You are missing the IMPORTANT part of the post which asks:
<b>Who are the top regional players? Besides the well known players on tour, who dominates their part of the country?</b>

Koling, Childress, 1F2N's,Larry, Haney, and Peckham all tour quite a bit.

walt has barely played for several years, LL doesn't tour like he used to either.

In Iowa....let's see...
Open:
Tanner Duncan
Adam Olsen(tours a little)
Jason Duden
Ernie Westmark

Pro Master:
Eddie McCulley
Doug Peyton

Non-Touring Top Players In Texas:

Micheal Olse
Brad Williams
JD Ramirez
Miles Seaborn
Nolan Grider
Robbie Bratton
Dixon Jowers
Matt Hall
Jim Davidson
Santos Montoya
Nick Rowton
Jimmy Zamora
Jamie Callis
Alex Downs
Eric Soete
Anthony Daman
Brice Longerbone
Vinnie Miller
Joel Kelly
Chris Farnham
Pepperling, My_hero, Clayton, Ellsworth, Smokin' Joe off the top of my head!

Rob Strasser-IL
Been dominating central Illinois for years.

walt has barely played for several years, LL doesn't tour like he used to either.


They DID and are well known - so I threw them in there - I just like toying with all the message board people. :)

Rob Strasser-IL
Been dominating central Illinois for years.

Second that and give Brett Comincioli some props too.

Both those guys play a lot of tourneys and give a lot back to the disc golf scene

Kansas:

Chris Smitty Smith
Kevin Babbit
Dave Hemmeline
Crispon
Downtown Randy Brown
Leo Daprato III
Tracy Ruder
Heddy

just to name a few..

Looking purely for Ohio names that are solid in-state...

Mike Gaston
Dave Cox
Garrett Diemler
Jeff Vandemark
Chris Hoyle (never current, never plays outside Toledo area - used to have a DNF rep, he's shed it though)

Few guys are trying to break into that list (I thought I was last year, bad 09) - I've played with Jer Kraus, Sean Tieman, Ricky Wysocki (am, but playing Open, has accepted a shi-ton of merch since July!) - all are going to be 1000 rated EASILY if they want it.

What counts as touring? Would you count as a "touring" player Dion? Would I? Probably not, but it seems like you were going for the "diamonds in the rough" rather than sponsored players. Some of the people mentioned here so far certainly seem like they should count as touring pros, but touring full-time is pretty different than touring when work, school, etc., allows (like most of us).

For Mountain West states...

Darrell Nodland in North Dakota is a great example of a top regional guy who doesn't tour (or play much anymore, unfortunately). He's a shining example of how to give back to the sport though! ND has some phenomenal courses and payouts that are pretty much entirely his doing.

Here in MT, Damien Hoffman is getting annoyingly good, while still having a full time job and a 2-yr old, so he doesn't get out of state much. He used to be Division II football's all-time leading receiver so he's certainly got the athletic pedigree! McCoy Connor and Seth White get out a little bit more but are also mostly local...it's pretty impossible to tour being based out of Montana because travel costs and distances are so high. Our state series is a blast though and the field has improved a ton in the past few years.

WY, Joey Kozlowski. SD, Kyle Pinkman (though I think he moved to MN), Joey Schmit. WA, Chandler Fry is way too good and I have not enjoyed his new habit of beating me all the time. ID is pretty sparse but has some guys who can mix it up any given day, like Steve Loyd. I agree with the CO assessments from earlier in the thread. UT, Cory Sharp and Mike Milne. OR, I would've said Dion Arlyn before this year's USDGC but now everyone knows what a badass he is...you guys certainly have some ringers besides the big dogs like Jenkberg & Sexty Sexty (Skinnell, mini-Sexton, Coury, Hock, etc.)

Seems like CA has the highest number of golfers who could do well out on tour but don't leave the state. Which is completely unsurprising.

In Oklahoma:

The better known players:

Devan Owens
Coda Hatfield
Mitch McClellan
Ron Convers

The lesser known threats:

Jared Pennington
Josh Crowl
Clint "Gunner" McClellan
Matt Steward
Paul Dorries
Taylor Sears
Kyle Wilkes
Brendan Hickman
Billy Lund (hardly ever plays)
Chris Wagle (been injured for several months)

Arkansas- Thor "Hulk" Holch...97' AM worlds champ

Okieland- Adam "does this guy want to be good?" Hunt

LouWeezyAna- John "F'n" Fowler...never see this ninja coming.

Washington: I feel the rising star of the WA is Chandler Fry! The Three Mikes (Mike Leslie, Mike Werth, Mike Cain), Chris Waugh. Back in the day Dario Rey. Marty Cook, haven't seen him in a bit though...


Oregon: I think most folks have heard of Feldberg by now... also Sexton (both of em), Coury "Shredder" Coates, Andy Hock, King of the Mountain Lane Mason, Kirk McAllistar, Shane Waters. It feels like the Oregon talent pool is getting deeper! Lots of other guys I play with all the time that I feel pretty stoked when I beat 'em, cause its not easy!

Okieland- Adam "does this guy want to be good?" Huntay


This may not be the place for this, but I've heard this mentioned more than once on the forums. What is this about>?

Some non sponsered guys who I feel are beginning to blow up in NC

Terry Gallops
Nathan Brewer
Nate Hodges

Okieland- Adam "does this guy want to be good?" Huntay


This may not be the place for this, but I've heard this mentioned more than once on the forums. What is this about>?


It's and Uliibarri quote referring to the 1st time he played with Adam. "Guy has good form an all......but does he want to be good?" Its going to stay with him for a while too.

Washington: I feel the rising star of the WA is Chandler Fry! The Three Mikes (Mike Leslie, Mike Werth, Mike Cain), Chris Waugh. Back in the day Dario Rey. Marty Cook, haven't seen him in a bit though...


Oregon: I think most folks have heard of Feldberg by now... also Sexton (both of em), Coury "Shredder" Coates, Andy Hock, King of the Mountain Lane Mason, Kirk McAllistar, Shane Waters. It feels like the Oregon talent pool is getting deeper! Lots of other guys I play with all the time that I feel pretty stoked when I beat 'em, cause its not easy!

Add Tim Skellenger and Brody Miller to that list. They both have a TON of talent that they only occasionally show us, but rest assured if they do come to play... you had best bring your a-game.

No doubt. Those guys are legit, I hope Brody is making a strong recovery from the broken ankle. I saw Timmy the other day at a course in Portland, it was good to see that guy at a course! He's such a baddass, its tough for him to find time to golf with us mere mortals :)

Wish those guys played more.

yeh Great List for TX
alot of good solid guys, some who just picked up sponsors.
Texas (when everybody shows up) is some sick Comp
in Open. Just playing B tiers in Dallas brought my game up quick....

DOnt forget Bradley Williams in Texas, hes off the chains, up and coming

Maybe I qualify as the best fat golfer over 1000+?

What happened to Justin Bunell?

Bunnell cakes is still working for Gateway in St. Louis and competing in bowling tournaments.

He pretty much just golfs casually these daZe...

Here in KY, I'd say Andy Ritter. He can bring it to any competitor, but he plays very few tournaments a year.

Non-Touring Top Players In Texas:

Micheal Olse
Brad Williams
JD Ramirez
Miles Seaborn
Nolan Grider
Robbie Bratton
Dixon Jowers
Matt Hall
Jim Davidson
Santos Montoya
Nick Rowton
Jimmy Zamora
Jamie Callis
Alex Downs
Eric Soete
Anthony Daman
Brice Longerbone
Joel Kelly
Chris Farnham
Pepperling, My_hero, Clayton, Ellsworth, Smokin' Joe off the top of my head!


nevermind you said non touring... oops

And how does one define non-touring? One could play 20 tournaments in a year and never leave the friendly confines of Texas!

I assume it is a cross between # of tournaments, and distance traveled, but can one be a touring player without playing any NT events?

I would consider a touring pro somone that has a 40 hr job playing disc golf or better defined a non touring player has a 401k

or better defined a non touring player has a 401k

.....plus health care insurance, 2 car loans, and a house mortgage.;)

I would consider a touring pro somone that has a 40 hr job playing disc golf or better defined a non touring player has a 401k


By your definition, there must not be too many tourning pros, then?

Vinnie you forgot mouths to feed.

Add Tim Skellenger and Brody Miller to that list. They both have a TON of talent that they only occasionally show us, but rest assured if they do come to play... you had best bring your a-game.

Tyler Christensen has been one of the top Oregon players for years.

Gotta go with Tank on the Bunnell topic...he is throwing the bowling ball as good if not better than his discs....its tough to get him out any more.

Also going with Christian on the MT players but adding one Shane "Wii" Anderson...he is young but could become the top disc golfer in MT with more commitment....lol...sorry CD....I would also add in one Jack Scott.
Don't forget some of the ID players...ie...Ed Doppelmayr.