WA12 would like to share the second article of Deaf Champion.

Robert Huizar is the second ever Deaf Disc Golf Championship.
The 2nd National Deaf Disc Golf Championships was hosted in 2002 in Colorado.  Today Deaf disc golfers never forgot how great Colorado hosted a huge number of registered players in tournament.  Innovation first Deaf disc golf champion of all, a big thank you to TX01!  I met Robert at Illinois 2009 (IL09) in Springfield.  Thank you, Robert for getting to know him a little better.

Today I interviewed Robert via email about his experience as the second ever National Deaf Disc Golf Champion.

Robert rises up in New Mexico.  Currently Robert employs at New Mexico School for the Deaf.  He is media technician in Information Technology.  Did you know…Robert Huizar was the quarterback for the NMSD six-man football team in 1991 when the team advanced to the state playoffs for the first in school history.  At last, Non Stop Disc Golf team: David Feldberg, Cale Leiviska, Nikko Locastro and Will Schusterick stopped in Santa Fe, at NMSD, deaf students showing a gym class about disc golf.  Great start to NSDG.  Without Robert, NSDG may not stop at deaf school.  Thank you, Robert for getting involved.  It takes time to get to know Robert.

1)      How long have you been playing disc golf?

I have been playing since 2002.   

2)      What is your best disc golf memory?

I have many memories.  I guess one of my favorite is winning the second National Disc Golf Championship in Colorado!  I had only been playing for four months. There were a lot of experienced Disc Golfers playing in Frisco.  My goal was just to make it into top ten. Instead I won by 2 or 3 strokes!  I was in the 2nd group and down by maybe 6 strokes to Fred Mckinly. I was shocked and pretty happy.  That is also where I met my now long time disc buddy Ricky Cornish while playing the final round. We have been GREAT friends every since.

3)      What is your “home” disc golf course?

My home course right now is Roosevelt Disc Golf Park in Albuquerque, NM.  But my favorite course in New Mexico is Sipapu!!

4) On the WA12 Facebook page, you said that Shannon Lally is your hero.  How did you meet Shannon, and why and how did he encourage you to play disc golf as more than a hobby or a sport?

Shannon Lally got me started.  First time I ever played disc golf was in the snow that year, and I hated it!! I refused to play again until I noticed everyone started getting together after work to play when the weather became warm.  I remember my first disc… a midrange Shark.  I threw it pretty far, and everyone said I had natural skills for disc golfing. So I played every day after work up until CO02.  My disc buddies that year were Kevin Harrer, my brother Levi Anderson, Pat Ercolino and James Tropp.  We played almost every day for 4 months.

5)      What is one aspect of your disc golf game you would like to improve on?

I would like to perfect my putting!  That’s the key for the game these days. I want to add distance to my throws. I would like to average 400-450 on my long distance.

6)      How did you feel after winning the Men’s Open Championship in Colorado?

Like I said, I was new to the game.  I had just started playing four months before the Nationals.  Of course, I did not expect to win.  I just wanted to have fun and do my best.  I won!  That’s why I tell my disc buddies always HAVE FUN!  Ask anyone… they will agree with my advice.  

I am happy to have had the opportunity learn and share the second chapter of the NDDGC’s story.  Thanks, Robert.  He will see you all at WA12 NDDGC!

Greetings!

My name is Lester Morris.  First of all, I want to thank to WDDGA for choosing me as Media Coordinator for WA12 National Deaf Disc Golf Championship. I look forward in working with photographers & videographers for media coverage for this event.

I am more than happy to share with you about my background experience.
As a young boy, I fell in love in photography when my family and their friends were employed by Kodak. They taught me how to do with variety of photography including darkroom.

I received photography certification when I was enrolled & studied photography/journalism & graphic computer at National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) and Ohlone College.

Before I went to college, my first job with Trek Photographic Machine as sales person which I provided demonstration of lighting equipment that use for photography/video such as portrait and film production.

After I received my photography certification, I worked as photojournalist for National Geographic where I traveled to Costa Rica to film during civil war and the history where Mark Twain traveled & settled in California.

In 1984, I became freelance photographer to shoot & film for weddings, portraits, nature and sporting events. Also, I was contracted with some companies for shooting the portraits.

In 1985, I volunteered for PBS station as Cameraman and Lighting for the production of Bay Area Signer for 4 years. My duties were added to design and edit in creating Deaf American Channel when its production with PBS station moved to another city.

After moving to Seattle from California in 1996, I started my business with Deafzoom Media Production. I provided my services: photographer and videographer for customers such as weddings, portraits, nature, sporting events, schools and companies.

In 2002, I created website & became moderator for Deaf Northwest News. I have been doing in filming, shooting pictures & interviewing for deaf community events.

With my work experience in photography, I received the awards: 1984 National Geographic for Photojournalism Award, 1987 California Photojournalism Award & 1994 DCARA Volunteer Award for my work with Deaf American Channel.

Welcome to WA12, Lester!

Visit Lester’s  http://www.deafzoom.com/.

Thank You to our sponsors, sponsor WDDGA-WA12 for this upcoming July’s Deaf Championship.  In that time all of sponsors helped us funding fully.  They provide their items for players packages.  They have also aided in providing our prizes to our deaf and hard of hearing disc golfers.  Show sponsors that you really appreciate their support.  Tee signs are recognized their names at Lakewood and Seatac parks! 

We are excited to announce that sponsors are listed:

Professional Disc Golf Association – www.pdga.com

Discs Unlimited – http://www.discsunlimited.net/

Keen Footwear – http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/

Discraft – http://www.discraft.com/

FADE Gear – http://www.fadegear.com/

Washington State Association of the Deaf -  http://wsad.org/

Washington Chapter of Gallaudet University Alumni Association – http://www.waguaa.org/

Deaf Disc Golf Association – www.ddga.org

Puget Sound Association of the Deaf – www.psadeaf.org

SportsMX – www.sportsMX.com

And more sponsors are listed at http://wa12.org/?page_id=44 .

New sponsors are welcome.  Please contact us to discuss which level of contribution will work best for you.  Email me at wa12gerardo@gmail.com .

Thank you for your support!

WDDGA-WA12

Pro Open Division
MPO/FPO (all ages)

- throwing a flying disc with power and accuracy is a marvelous sensation
- going for cash
- have confidence
- a lot of plays such league or tournament
- can throw more than 300 feet and make good putts

Master Pro
MPM/FPM (+40 age)

- Going for cash
- qualify for 40 age or older
- Still have confidence
- skill level still

Grandmaster
MPG (+50 age)

- 50 age or older
- Going for cash
- Stress free
- skill level still
- social/friend once deaf championship a year!

Amateur Division
MA1/FA1 (Advanced all ages), MM1/FM1 (Master Advanced +40) and MG1/FG1 (Grandmaster Advanced +50)

- play disc golf alot but not ready pro.
- going for funny prize (with funny money so you can pick out from proshop)
- can throw 300 feet
- make some putts
- some plays such tournament or league

Intermediate
MA2/FA2 (all ages)

- play dg few times
- throw has potential
- putting needs work
- fun disc golf
- learn skills

Recreational
MA3/FW3 (all ages)

- new to disc golf
- never experience tournament
- learning how to drive and putt
- between who’s looking to learn, refine and refresh their disc golf skills!
- always being a NEWCOMER

Juniors
MJ1/FJ1 (Under 17 age)

- new explore to disc golf
- learn life lessons through the game of disc golf with the nationally
- look up great deaf disc golfers
- tune up their skills with help of deaf disc golfers
(FREE deaf disc golf clinic with deaf disc golf experts)
- future of our deaf disc golfer/leader

http://www.pdga.com/introduction

When you sign up for Deaf Championship tournament to play disc golf, the first thing you have to decide is which division to play in. As a beginner, the choice is pretty easy: AM2 or REC. Playing as a “Rec” is usually stress-free, but can sometimes be played from alternate tee boxes. However, as time goes by, and a s skill levels increase, eventually you need to move up.

The decision to move up is a personal one. No one can force a player to choose a certain division. In advice, you can ask friends who know disc golf and advise you what division you should join in the WA12 division.

http://wa12.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/wa12_entry_form.pdf

- helps you knowing which division and how much you pay for selecting the division.
If you have any questions, please email me for questions.

Good Luck!

***2012 LIMITED EDITION NATIONAL DEAF DISC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP SUPERCOLOR WA12 BUZZZ***

Proceeds from sales of fundraiser discs go to support WA12.

With say information coming soon about what discs and cost and how to buy etc.

If you interest to buy the edition disc, please email me at wa12gerardo@gmail.com .

www.pdga.com

To interact with 2012 Deaf Nationals Championship in Seattle, WA you need to sign up for Facebook first. Sign Up. It’s free and anyone can join. Become a fan of NDDGC-WA12 to show your support. Please visit us at http://www.facebook.com/groups/wa12gerardo/ .

Please join us the first time ever Deaf Disc Golf Clinic.

Deaf Disc Golf Experts: Justin Ashton, DDGA #199, PDGA #23087 and Nathan Boyes, DDGA #160, PDGA #35464

When: July 11, 2012
Where: Lakewood Park near Chainbangerz Disc Golf Shop/the playground for family fun
Cost: FREE-FREE-FREE
Time: 30 minutes after Doubles Championship at Lakewood DGC

Deaf Disc Golf Experts will teach you how to drive and putt… Don’t miss it.

Free disc golf tips to improve your game. Learn about Ashton and Boyes’ GREAT TIPS for WA12 Tournament on July 12-14, 2012.

Strongly I encourage you to get excited about learning and look forward to see you at Lakewood park.

You will have opportunity to get autographs from Deaf Disc Golf Experts.

For your information, Justin and Nathan were in Santa Cruz, CA for 2011 PDGA Pro Disc Golf World Championships and click on http://www.2011proworlds.com/2011/08/07/deaf-disc-golfers-represent-at-the-worlds/

Welcome to our 12th Annual of the National Deaf Disc Golf Championship – Washington 2012 (WA12)!

The Washington Deaf Disc Golf Association is pleased to announce our official headquarter hotel is here at the Ramada Inn and Suites in SeaTac, Washington (near SeaTac Airport). The Ramada Inn and Suites located at 16720 International Blvd., SeaTac/Seattle, Washington is delighted to be able to offer WDDGA guest sleeping rooms for July 11th-14th, 2012. The only double-queen room rate for NDDGC-WA12 is $86.12/night included taxes. Call 206-277-0700 for reservations.

Ramada Suites SeaTac Airport’s Overview:

Exploring the many sights and sounds around the Puget Sound is easy when you make a reservation at our Ramada Suites SeaTac Airport hotel. Located off Interstate 5, our SeaTac hotel near the Museum of Flight offers Ramada-class service and places you within minutes of great restaurants and top attractions. Seattle Tacoma International Airport is a three-minute drive away. SeaTac Disc Golf Course is a 8-minute drive away. Lakewood King County Park is a 15-minute drive away.

Start your morning strong with a full-service breakfast. Read through the daily news with a free copy of USA Today, and plan your day online using our free Wi-Fi Internet access. Do some cardio in our fitness center or cool off in our heated indoor pool. Ask the cheerful staff of our 24-hour front desk for directions and ideas on where to go. Kitchenettes and Jacuzzi-equipped suites are available at our hotel in SeaTac, Washington, as are non-smoking and handicapped-accessible accommodation

In addition to the Hotel’s amenities such as complimentary parking, heated in-door swimming pool, state-of-the-art health and fitness center, hotel shuttle service within a five-mile radius, and many more, we have also negotiated other amenities such as the best hotel rate with comfortable accommodations, discounted full breakfast buffet and tickets to Aqua Adventure Park, available for purchase at the front desk upon check in. For instructions on booking the WA12 special rate, please call the hotel before May 30th, 2012.

We hope you will make the Ramada Inn and Suites SeaTac Hotel, the hotel of your choice to ensure your stay is comfortable, enjoyable and definitely memorable! A limited number of rooms are reserved for this special deaf disc golf event, to even include the summer weekend! We highly recommend you make your room reservations early.

Thank you, the Ramada Inn and Suites in SeaTac for sponsoring the WA12 with the group package discount rate. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at wa12gerardo@gmail.com .

Gerardo Di Pietro
WA12 Tournament Chairperson