The first year I represented Infinite Discs, things were quite different. The company had just come out with its first few Infinite-branded discs, no one had heard of COVID-19 yet, and the new Team Infinite was comprised of regional pros (mostly in and around the company’s Utah HQ) and disc golf community leaders. No touring pros.
Fast forward to 2024, and the team now includes 14 players who are either full-time tour players or names we know through the tour. James Proctor, who us NorCal players claim as our own, was all over Disc Golf Network coverage last year. Drew Gibson and Chandler Fry are characters of the game and recent DGPT event winners. This speaks to Infinite Disc’s success and growth, for sure, but I think it also reflects the growing appeal of not being tied down to throwing discs from one manufacturer.
Team Infinite also includes a carefully curated set of people who are first and foremost ambassadors of the sport, and I’m proud to once again be included in that group. I’ve won at least one PDGA event for several years in a row, so I like to think that has something to do with my inclusion as well. As the years go by, though, the weight of my goals in the sport are slowly shifting from mastering the craft and topping my competitors to simply helping others enjoy the game. To be recognized as an ambassador for the sport is an honor.
In case you’re wondering, I throw a mega-mixed bag that includes way too many O-O-P (out of production) discs, but that’s another story. My bag also includes several Infinite molds. The Scarab is my primary putter, and the Tomb serves a specialty role in my bag, providing a stiffer option to my default soft Vibram Ridge for most approaches. I also love the Sphinx as it feels like a faster Roadrunner.
If I had to throw discs from one manufacturer, it would be a huge change and feel like a major constriction of my options. As a touring pro there would need to be significant compensation for that disruption and limitation. Kudos to Infinite Discs for letting their sponsored players throw whatever they feel helps them execute their shots— it actually makes sense for them, anyway.
As I wrap up my Team Infinite announcement and hail Infinite’s non-exclusive approach to sponsorship, allow me to also recognize a pioneer of this thinking (and other things in disc golf, like players creating their own disc companies). Steve Rico decided to throw a mixed bag back in THE 1990’s. At the time it meant going without a sponsor. Hopefully that kind of logical and independent decision making isn’t why this OG isn’t in the HOF.