On the Course:
Any pre-round rituals?
Nothing superstitious. I like to start with short putting to get my blood flowing, and then mix in a quick session of Aviar catch with a friend. After that I like to throw a few Roc shots followed up by some Firebird and Whippet hyzers to get my distance feel. Now I'm ready for some fairway drivers (Leopard - TeeBird - Eagle). Finally, I'll bomb some distance drivers to feel out my max distance and to find "the edge" of control vs distance. (StarStarfire - Wraiths - TeeRex-X)
What has enabled you to achieve a high degree of success in the sport?
I'm always in the Lab expirementing! Which means I spend more time putting and practicing than I do playing casual rounds. The quality and quantity of my practice is very noticable on tournament day. You have to be able to carve a shot out of any situation to be, and in order to do that you have to expirement with a wide variety of shots! So don't be affraid to try some unorthodoxed shots while your practicing, you never know what shot you'll need next!
How do you prepare for a tournament?
If I don't know the course, then I spend more time on my putting practice. If I'm familiar with the course, then I focus on safari holes or throwing in a park without baskets, just to find similar terrain. Running through the course in my mind as I drive between events is helpful, visualizing each shot, inventory the OB areas and hazards. If I'm able to get to the courses early enough I like to play them, but there are no guaranteed recipes for success. Look at my MSDGC win for example, I walked the courses in an effort to let my body heal prior to the tournament, only to find myself ripping through the courses liked I'd played them before. Knowing the airspace between the tee and target, is what I call 'spatial clarity'. Once you know the distance and the airspace you can execute the shot for the job.
(Strong putting will also breed confidence on the tee, allowing you to throw relaxed drives)
Get Plenty of Rest? Absolutely, but once again there are no recipes. Early in my Pro career I won the Graceland Open after a heavy night of celebration at the Player's Party. The day before at J&B Doubles, I won a CTP for a $50 gift certificate to the bar where the party was held. Matt Fausch and I made were $30 worth of Snakebites into the gift certifcate after about 20 minutes! The next $20 was spent on pitchers of beer for everyone else! Well, the moral of the story is neither Matt or I could eat breakfast, oh yeah and somehow pulled it together for the win, while Matt finished a very disappointing DFL (back when he was rated 990!) So, I don't recommend drinking in excess on tournament night, but golf is a crazy game and your results may vary!
Now the KC Wide Open NT win in 2005 was the perfect scenario, lots of rest, good food, and an excellent event made for a strong tournament finish! Whatever condition you choose to play in, put in the practice time and you'll get rewarded on game day!!
Goals for 2007?
Win the World Title in Wisconsin! I believe in my heart that if everything lines up correctly, I have the ability to string together 7 solid rounds of World Class Golf.
I would like to do more teaching in the form of clinics and private lessons. Helping other players realize their own potential is truly the most rewarding part of the sport for me. That spark in their eye when they "Feel It" for the first time always takes me back in time! Man I Love It!
Pet peeves?
Litter and Vandalism. Take ownership of your local course and make the litter problems go away - carry a trash bag every round and Good kharma will come to your course! Behavior is contagious, even the honorable kind!
Have you added any new throws to your game?
My left handed backhand hyzer has reached about 375ft wth solid control. I find myself growing more and more natural as I use it in tournament play. I've also been using my left hand for short approach/putt shots in order to capitalize on favorable wind conditions. At some distances it's actually smoother than my right hand release.
Thumbers are the next shot I'm focusing on. The last Thumber I threw got me in trouble at the 2005 Mid-America Open, when after going OB on my drive and watching Justin Bunnel park the hole, I throw a thumber straight into a tree 2m up and OB for a text book Double Cirlce 6 (2p 6 out west). Nothing short of "Barrying the Putt" would stop Justin from getting the deuce, and he actually won the tournament in a playoff with me, matching 40ft putts with me, and then hitting a sidearm putt from his back out of a bush - Amazing!
What's in the bag?
TeeRex-X, Pro/Star Wraith,Star TeeBird,Star Leopard, Star Starfire, Star Firebird, 10x KC Pro Whippet-X, DX Rocs, and 11x KC Aviars.
Words of huk wisdom for new players?
Play catch with your friends to groove a smooth huk stroke. Use your favorite putters and midrange discs, and ocassionally mix in a heart pounding distance catch session.
Be a Student of the Game! Many great people have poured their energy into this sport, and each one of them has a unique perspective to offer on this captivating little game we all love!
Make it a personal goal to play one new tournament every year! You'll be suprised how many new friends you make!
Off the Course:
What do you do when your not huckin'?
Freelance artist, hiking and rock collecting. I also dye discs, play basketball and poker with my friends and work when I have to.
 "Hand Dyed Disc Tattoo by Chris Sprague")
Who are your role models?
I have an Aunt that has become very successful in her career, and has been a class act since my first memories of her! She earns the spot based solely on the principals of Commitment and Follow Through! From an athletic standpoint, I would choose Michael Jordan for his work ethic in the Lab, and by never giving up, despite having enjoyed most of his success toward the latter part of his career. Vijay Sing, Jerry Rice, Tiger Woods, Cal Ripken Jr, and Avery Jenkins all train hard in the Lab as well! They round off the top of my "Inspiring Athletes"
What motivates you?
The shared desire by my competitors to hone our skills in pursuit of unattainable perfection, while not having to apologize for our dedication to the process that make everything possible.
Academic pursuits? I majored in computer-aided design and graduated with a Machine Drafting diploma and an AGS degree.
Personal pursuits, dreams? To have a successful home business, while hucking myself around the world.
Life goals?
To settle down and have a family, a nice acreage someday and ideally to run my own company.
Also the Infamous 3 disc forehand attack rollers against unsuspecting competitors!
