You may not personally know disc golf hall of famers Patti Kunkle (#283) and John David (#790) of Atlanta, Georgia, but if you visit the International Disc Golf Center in Appling, GA you will see many wonderful things they are responsible for. Over the years, John and Patti have supported the IDGC with both work and gifts, from the beautiful wrought-iron archways at the first tee of each of the IDGC’s three championship courses, to a collection of vintage discs and other memorabilia, to artwork for the IDGC walls.

John started playing disc golf in California back in 1977 and he worked with “Steady” Ed Headrick on course design and at trade shows. In June of 1982, he traveled to St. Louis to play in a tournament and there he met Patti. As they say, the rest is history. By the winter of ‘82 John had decided he needed to move to Georgia to be with Patti, so he bought an old Jeep off his friend “Steady” Ed, and headed cross-country with all of his belongings. The Jeep had definitely seen better days, and only on a good-size hill could John reach its top speed of 55 mph. John quips, “I only passed two cars on that entire trip, and one of them was pulling the other!” John and Patti donated “Steady” Ed’s original CA license plate off of that old Jeep to the IDGC several years ago and it is now displayed in the Headrick Memorial Museum housed within the IDGC.

Also on display in the IDGC, near the wall with John and Patti’s Hall of Fame plaques, are two very prestigious trophies associated with John and Patti. In 1984 John David was the first winner of the “Steady” Ed Headrick Cup for the PDGA Male Player of the Year. In that same year, he and Patti established the J & P Cup to be presented to the PDGA Female Player of the Year, and it was awarded to Ann King (#2913).

John and Patti’s most recent generous gifts will adorn both the interior and exterior of the IDGC. Their donation of three beautiful pieces of art by renowned disc golf artist John Notenboom of Holland will be entered into the rotation of artwork that is displayed on the IDGC’s interior walls for visiting disc golfers to enjoy.

John and Patti’s other recent donation now graces the entry of the IDGC driveway and it will be the first thing visitors see when they arrive. Those who have visited Innova in Rock Hill, South Carolina may find it familiar. John had cut a DISCatcher basket in half lengthwise to create a sign for Harold Duvall at Innova East many years ago and it hangs on the office building still. John recently used the other half of that same basket to create the sign for the IDGC.

The PDGA and IDGC are very grateful for John and Patti’s contributions to the sport of disc golf, as well as their many contributions to the International Disc Golf Center that are enjoyed by disc golfers from around the globe.

The International Disc Golf Center welcomes donations or loans of original disc golf artwork of all mediums for display in the clubhouse building. For information contact the PDGA office.