Kevin Kiefer at DGLO. Photo: Kevin Huver / DGPT

Kevin Kiefer saw his chance and took it.

After jumping into competition, finding success, and seizing the opportunity, Kiefer hit the road with a strong support system and hasn’t looked back.

“I left in February, and I haven’t been back since,” he said. “I’ve been on tour full-time, and I’ve loved every second of it.”

He no doubt enjoyed Thursday at Lake Eureka to open the 2022 DGPT – Ledgestone Open. Kiefer turned in one of just two bogey-free rounds and finds himself in solo third heading into round two.

“I felt great — bogey-free, 8-down,” he said. “My game plan was to keep it in bounds, and I did that. Kept it slow, kept it consistent.”

His trajectory has been anything but slow in the sport. The Valrico, Florida native said he’s been playing disc golf his entire life but joined the PDGA and started competing in tournaments in 2017. Florida disc golf played a big role in his development.

“I grew up in the Tampa area and the disc golf scene down there is huge,” Kiefer said. “I just started thriving with the locals, having fun with it and eventually it became more serious.”

Kiefer at the 2019 PDGA Junior World Championships. Photo: PDGA

Kiefer, 20, finished second in MJ18 at the 2019 PDGA Junior World Championships. Several players at Ledgestone this week were in that 2019 field, including the winner Zach Arlinghaus as well as Elijah Bickel, Levi Hancock, Evan Smith, Robert Burridge, and D.W. Hass.

The MJ15 PDGA World Champion that year, Gannon Buhr, is leading Ledgestone by two strokes.

“I finished second and was like, wow, I think I might be pretty good at this,” Kiefer said. “After that, I was focused. I wanted to make this a career.”

In 2021, Kiefer had six wins and 17 total podium finishes in 27 total tournaments throughout the Florida region. He finished third at the South Florida Open A-Tier and cashed at Texas States on the DGPT.

Then he saw his chance.

“I had a really good rookie season last year and felt confident,” Kiefer said. "I just had the support of everyone — family and friends — and I got a sponsor (Latitude 64, Team Figgins) last year, I’m young and here’s my chance so I’m taking it.”

Adding to the mix of his first year on tour is the crew that he’s rolling with, including Randon Latta, Stacie Hass, DW Hass and Woody Hass as well as his Circle One crew with Eagles Wings Disc Golf.

“We’re all just out here and it’s a good support group – grinding it out and having fun,” Kiefer said. “You don’t play well every week or every round and when you have those bad rounds or a bad stretch, it’s really nice to have someone that understands the feeling.

“I wouldn’t be here without them, that’s for sure.”

Where he is now is on the lead card at an Elite Series event.

On Thursday, Kiefer finished bogey-free along with Buhr and went 100% in circle 1. He credited his putting — a circle 2 make on 18 kept the bogey-free round intact — and upshots.

Friday will be very different as the MPO field shifts to Northwood Black for back-to-back rounds.

“It means nerves — a lot of nerves and stress‚ but I’m excited,” Kiefer said. “I’m excited to be off to a good start.

“Northwood, I love it. It’s probably one of my top three courses, super technical and super wooded. I’ve just got to keep it clean.”

And take advantage of the next chance.