Feldberg Sheds Burden of World Title for Birdies Instead

After overcoming a three-way tie at the end of regulation last week in Columbus at the Hambrick Memorial Open, David Feldberg will bridge his first title on the 2009 National Tour and his defense of the 2008 World Championship with a stop in Des Moines this weekend at the First Class Challenge.  

In a stunning 100-under par performance last year in Kalamazoo, Michigan that is regarding as one of the most dominating World’s performances ever, Feldberg decided to leverage his heretofore elusive World Championship title into instant credibility, so that he could embark upon a global mission as an ambassador for disc golf.  

“I’ve used the title.  Instead of sitting back on my title and trying to get more titles, I decided that my name is associated with the title, so now I can go around and really do what I want to do, which is go around and teach people and promote the sport,” Feldberg said on Wednesday.  

And man…has he gotten around.  Feldberg has definitely leveraged his 2008 PDGA World Champion moniker by accepting invitations to travel to a host of venues around the world.  From Alaska to Taiwan, and from Denmark to Canada, Feldberg has embraced his role as a champion unlike any other.  “I’ve gone to places that no other world champs have ever been,” Feldberg continued.  

And what type of reception has he received throughout his whirlwind appearance schedule?  “They kind of expect me to come in and destroy.  They think that every shot I’m going to throw is going to be an ace,” Feldberg quipped.  “The second I step off the plane, they are asking me a hundred questions about teaching.  They are stoked, because they know I’m one of the well-known teachers of the game.”  

But, with Feldberg, the downside to his disc golf promotional efforts is that it kept him off the courses to practice and work on his game.  Life in the fishbowl is tough enough when you walk onto any course as a world champion.  But when that fishbowl extends across continents, it’s even more difficult.  

In the last month, however, Feldberg’s focus has gotten back to his work on the course.  Asked about when he felt his game turned the corner on the way to his first PDGA National Tour win in Columbus, Feldberg said, “It was probably a week before Alaska.”  During that stretch, he went from Minnesota, to Alaska, and then back to Columbus, Ohio for the Brent Hambrick.  The difference in his play was noticeable, according to Feldberg.  

“In that stretch, I got an ace about every three days.  I even got an ace today,” Feldberg said.  “And it hasn’t been stopping.  I am noticing that I’m getting more honed in.”  

Feldberg notices that the differences now are not just physical, but mental as well.  “Earlier in the season, I was throwing at the basket and hoping to just get a putt,” he shared.  “Now, I’m at the point where I can say I want to be 10 feet right with a tail wind putt.  My game has really gained by leaps and bounds,” Feldberg shared confidently.  

And though he will be in the field in Des Moines this weekend at the First Class Challenge, Feldberg is not predicting another win on the NT.  

“Don’t look for me at Des Moines to make my strongest showing of the year.  We’re playing five courses on a National Tour, which I think is extreme.  And I didn’t go there to practice,” Feldberg admitted.  “I’ve never done that in my entire career,” he said.  

Clearly, David Feldberg is looking at the bigger disc golf picture.  Not just in terms of his promotional efforts, but in terms of getting another World Championship, his World ranking, as well as the Woodchuck NT Drive for the Championship points series.  

But maybe, just maybe, if he continues his “programming” on the course and brings his skill level even close to where it was last year, don’t be surprised if David Feldberg has to make more room in his car for the First Class Challenge trophy on his way to Kansas City for the 2009 PDGA World Championships.