Women in the Disc Golf Hall of Fame
The Disc Golf Hall of Fame was established in 1993 as a tribute to the individual legends of our sport’s past and present. As of 2016, there are now 74 inductees in the Disc Golf Hall of Fame. Of those, 10 are women.
Vanessa Chambers #2198 (Inaugural Class of 1993)
Vanessa’s excellence in disc golf elevated both the visibility of the women’s division and the standard by which it was and is judged. At the time of induction, she had been named Woman Disc Golfer of the Year three times, had won the PDGA World Championships twice, and compiled a phenomenal record of top-place finishes.
Patti Kunkle #283 (Class of 1996)
Patti Kunkle took disc golf to heart in 1975, and has nurtured it ever since. She played in the very first PDGA-sanctioned tournament, was a member of the first PDGA Board of Directors, and at the time of induction had played in every World Championship since 1983. Patti has won three Masters Titles and has been honored with the Jim Olsen, Sr. Award as Senior Disc Golfer of the Year, and The Bob West Sportsman of the Year Award.
A pivotal player in the development of disc golf in Georgia, Patti’s influence has been felt nationwide as a leader in women’s issues in the sport, driving for changes welcomed by both male and female golfers. Her perseverance to play is outshined only by her energy and enthusiasm for sharing the joy of the game she loves.
Always positive, always patient, and always colorful to the eye and spirit, Patti Kunkle truly symbolizes the "heart" of disc golf.
Elaine King #3090 (Class of 1997)
As the four-time Women’s World Champion (note she has added two more World Championship Titles to her resume since her induction), Elaine King dominated and was almost undefeatable on the pro tour for years. With a stunning number of victories to her credit and many more still to win. Those who play with her find that she is gracious and a joy with whom to share a round of golf. Always exhibiting a professional demeanor, Elaine’s powerful presence on the course evokes a sense of awe even among veteran players. In addition, Elaine King has distinguished herself as one of disc golf’s most dedicated supporters by serving as PDGA Commissioner during a critical transition period and her continued work with the PDGA for years to come.
Sylvia Voakes #3360 (Class of 2005)
Sylvia Voakes is legendary proof that disc golf is a sport for all ages. During a span of two decades, she amassed 57 PDGA titles.
She toke six World Singles Titles, one by a record-setting margin of 114 throws. Sylvia is the first woman to win a PDGA tournament competing against the men of her own age division. She has been a continuing presence on the Pro Tour while balancing an active family life. She won the Player of the Year in 1993 and accepted the Jim Olsen Sr. Award in 1995. Sylvia is a consistent representative of disc golf spirit. Sylvia’s local club has bestowed her with awards for promotion and volunteerism. Sylvia’s positive attitude on the course sets an example for us all, teaching the value of letting a bad shot become history, and moving to the next with a fresh perspective. Her smile is a loving reminder that there is indeed a “Frisbee Family.”
Juliana Korver #7438 (Class of 2008)
Juliana has always given to the advancement of women’s disc golf. She persevered as an amateur superstar and won five individual World Titles during her domination of the tour. Juliana’s unprecedented records have been achieved with style and grace. Through creativity and enthusiasm, she empowers women to enjoy competition. Juliana is the picture-perfect model of a disc golf legend. Juliana’s La Vie En Rose Tournament held in 2009 and 2010 set the bar for women’s disc golf events; serving as an inspiration for the up and coming ambassadors of the women’s game.
Lynne Warren #2876 (Class of 2009)
Through her writings and diplomatic PR editing skills, Lynne Warren has portrayed the players and the sport in the best possible light. A co-founder of Disc Golf World News, Lynne played an essential role in fostering communication, connecting people, and recording the sport’s history. Fun loving and vivacious, Lynne is an ambassador for disc golf whose love and genuine care for people and the sport has touched the hearts of many. Lynne’s commitment to teaching others how to improve and enjoy disc golf on a higher level and her dedication to the goal of peaceful and respectful human interaction has made a difference in a most unique and lasting way.
Becky Zallek #9388 (Class of 2013)
Becky Zallek has worked tirelessly for many years to promote the development of disc golf in Iowa and many other places. She has volunteered for the PDGA in many capacities and was awarded the PDGA Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006. In addition to serving as TD for numerous disc golf events in the Des Moines area, she was the TD of the 2004 PDGA Pro/Am/Junior Worlds in Des Moines.
Anni Kreml #3351 (Class of 2015)
Anni Kreml developed her disc golf abilities in the 1980’s as a world-class overall competitor. Two National Championship titles paved the way to her streak of 21 straight victories including the Great Lakes Open, the Masters Cup, the Memorial Championships, the NorCal Championships, the SoCal Championships, the US Open, and the National Doubles Competition. Anni’s amazing level of play has earned her five World Championship victories. Her superior athletic skills and willingness to help others sets Anni apart as the embodiment of what is great in our sport.
Gail McColl #240 (Class of 2015)
As co-founder and co-owner of Discraft Inc., Gail McColl has been involved from the very birth of the sport and blazed a trail for women in disc sports. With multiple world disc titles to her credit – including the 1978 Women’s World Disc Golf Champion – Gail is recognized as an original pioneer in helping to break the flying disc out of its culturally established role as a toy and into the high-performance sports equipment of today.
Tita Ugalde #83 (Class of 2016)
Since the pre-basket era, California pioneer Tita Ugalde has been an educator of all flying disc sports and one to elevate the games of others in disc golf. Tita owns countless disc golf championship wins that span the globe. Tita has launched and represented numerous disc programs and organizations locally and on the international level. She is a WFDF committee member and always an ambassador of fair play, good will, and competitive spirit. Tita's friends and pupils will forever recount her patient instruction, quiet heroism, and loving personality.
Des Reading #15863 (Class of 2017)
Des began playing disc golf in 1992 as a way of decompressing from a demanding collegiate lifestyle as a student-athlete. She joined the PDGA in 1999 and just a few short years later would win her first of four World Championships. Her resume is filled with countless achievements and accolades, heavily influences by a passion to introduce disc golf to youth and educators worldwide. She helped found EDGE in 2002, and is still heavily active in the organization to this day.
Andi Lehmann Young #2094 (Class of 2018)
Known as The Disc Golf Lady, Andi Lehmann Young has pioneered our sport in Houston, Texas from its grassroots until it became a modern-day disc golf metropolis. She has been honored as a Disc Golf Sportswoman of the Year for making disc golf a labor of love and sharing her promotional skills with the world. Andi shares the same excitement teeing off on any course she designed as when she played for the very first time.
PDGA Women's Committee
- Committee Chair: Sherry Herzog
- Contact Email: [email protected]
- PDGA Board Liaison: Leah Tsinajinnie
- PDGA Staff Liaison: Jennie Greathouse-Nance
- Committee Member: Sarah Hokom
- Committee Member: Cristina Carlstrom
- Committee Member: Laura Nagtegaal
- Committee Member: Anne Reese
- Committee Member: Karin Falcone
- Committee Member: Renae Farr
- Committee Member: Serenity Madison
- Committee Member: Andréa Michaud
- Committee Member: Sofía Almada Olvera
- Committee Member: Madison Tomaino
- Committee Member: Melanie Hale
- Committee Member: Tricia Buchholz