I have been filming Disc Golf since 2009 and I have always wanted to catch an ace on film. I have seen several on YouTube and the excitement of watching that plastic hit the chains is awesome. Because it is just me out there filming it is obvious that I can’t be everywhere filming. If I had a nickel for every time someone approached me on the course and told me I missed an awesome putt, or humongous drive, well I wouldn’t be rich, but I’d have some money for gas to get to the next tournament. But I was always able to capture some good footage but the ace had always been my white whale. I have come so close, in fact when I was in North Carolina working with DiscGolfPlanettv I almost caught Sarah Hokum getting an ace but I had hit the recording button because it did not look like it was going to get close to the basket and I could not really see the basket. I have had people get an ace on a hole that was the hole I had just left to film a different hole.
So how do you catch an ace on film?
Pick easy holes. It does help to hang out with your camera at holes that are easy to ace. But, I have done just that. In fact early on in my Disc Golf video career filmed a couple $10k Hole In One challenges and nothing.
Give an incentive so people will go for it
In 2011 I traveled to several Dynamic Discs events and announced a $100 Ace Bounty at each player’s meeting. If I caught them getting an ace on film I would hand them a $100 bill. I never had the opportunity to pay anyone.
Have someone keep throwing at a hole until they get it
I am not sure I would count this one as something to get excited over. In fact I have heard people say that unless you made an ace on your first throw of a hole then you shouldn’t even count it. I think that is a bit harsh.
Preserverance and more perseverance
This is what made it happen for me. In May of 2013 I was filming the Monkey Island Open for Dynamic Discs and on the second round I decided to follow the lead card for the last 5 holes. On hole 17 there is a park bench right behind the tee pad that allowed me to get a good angle. And that is where it happend. Benjamin Wiggins through that disc right into the basket. When he threw I knew the line looked good but as the disc got closer and closer it was almost as if it started to slow down as my thoughts started to suggest that this thing might go right into the basket. The other guys on the card started the usually chatter, “It’s going in”, “One time, one time”. And then just as effortlessly as it could be the disc connected with the chains and felt to the cage waiting below.
Everyone cheered and after listening t the footage while editing I wonder if I yelled in excitement louder than Benjamin. It was so cool to capture that moment on video.
Here is the tournament highlights from the 2013 Monkey Island Open. You can watch all 14 minutes or you can skip to the footage of the ace.
