ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Bryan Moore

Bryan Moore is a professional sponsored athlete. His sport? Disc golf. Disc golf, which is played similarly to golf using discs (Frisbees), has been gaining recognition since the 1970s and is now one of the most popular alternative sports in the world. Moore will soon be heading overseas to compete in a few disc golf championships, including the European Open.

Can you explain how you play disc golf?
The game of disc golf is played very similarly to traditional golf. There is a starting point and a tee pad, and instead of a cup or hole in the green, it’s a basket that stands about 4 feet tall and has chains, so the disc will actually come to rest in the basket. You have a tee shot, and wherever the disc comes to rest, you play your next shot. You keep count of your scores until you “putt out,” which means you putt the disc into the basket, and it comes to rest. Most of the courses are 18 holes, and it’s really fun. Anyone can play.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?
The best advice I’ve been given on disc golf actually came from a local gentleman, Jeff Watson, who is a former disc golf world champion, and he lives right here in Sarasota. The tip he gave me was to stay smooth. What I mean by that is really just remain smooth in all your actions … it’s staying smooth and staying balanced.

Can you tell us a little bit about your overseas playing?
My dad and I are going to be going to northern Europe. So Scandinavia, Finland, Sweden and Norway, and I’ll be competing at the European Open, which is the biggest tournament in Europe. It is a four-day tournament, and it takes place in a small town outside of Helsinki. I played last year at the Swiss Open, and it was amazing to play with that group of players. Each one of our guys was from a different country, so it was very special to play an international tournament like that.

What is a “cadaddy”?
I’m very lucky to have my dad who has now become an active player … for the last couple of years, he has been my caddy. One of my good friends, who is also a pro-level player, branded the name “cadaddy,” and it stuck. So, he’s a high-rated caddy and also my daddy, thus, the “cadaddy”.

Contact Rachel S. O’Hara at [email protected]