Blue Steel - Tyler Gamboa Q and A
Tyler Gamboa is a great person to talk to and learn about. His family man mentality is awesome and you can see his personality and character through his words. He may not be sponsored by a major company but he still loves the sport nonetheless and wants to help make it grow through a fun spirit and kindness. That mentality is a great sight to see and I look forward to seeing it in person one day. Enjoy his words and his story!
1) How did you get your start into Disc Golf?
I got my start into disc golf back in 2012 around when my younger brother went into the military. He had been playing for a few years and finally got me to play before he left. Played a few times and got hooked. I used his discs until he was stationed and by then I had already gotten discs for myself.
2) Who inspires you to continue to play?
I’m continually inspired to play by my brother since we are always competing against each other in every sport, especially disc golf. My daughter and my girlfriend also do because they both see how passionate I am about playing and are really supportive and join me also at times to enjoy it with me.
3) What made you want to get the title of “pro “?
I haven’t yet moved to the title of pro. I’m still playing advanced but I do intend to move to and embrace the title of pro. It’s really just due to my competitive nature and wanting to continually compete against better and better people.
4) What’s it mean for you to be a hometown hero?
I think it would be pretty cool to be considered that. If not for my game as a whole but as my attitude on and off the course. I definitely always try my best to keep things fun and light hearted regardless of who I’m playing with or the setting.
5) Favorite Disc?
My favorite disc is probably gateway’s Wizard. My favorite throwing putter by far and my putting putter as well.
6) Favorite Course?
My favorite course is a tie between DeLa in Santa Cruz and AWOL at Farragut State Park.
7) I didn’t see that you were sponsored, are you? If so, by whom and how is it to be on that team?
I’m pretty much self sponsored. I work for Alaska Airlines which has definitely helped me expand where I’ve been able to compete and play and it’s helped me grow as a player in many ways. I’m also on the Disc Golf Boxes Street Team.
8) What can we expect from you in 2018?
My expectations for 2018 is to be present in more tournaments and definitely more A tier events and to be placing in the top 10% of each tournament I’m in for the season.
9) What advice can you give to players who want to step up their game?
The biggest thing for someone wanting to improve their game is to slow things down. Slow is smooth and helps so much with form. Pairing that with discing down and working on form will improve you’re game a lot.
10) Do you have any pre-tournament rituals? If so, what are they and why?
I guess the closest thing to a pre tournament ritual is watching videos of the previous years tournament while I’m stretching and having coffee before heading to the course.
11) What would be your go to starter pack for anyone who is new to Disc golf?
My go to starter pack would be a gateway wizard, a discraft buzz, and an innova leopard. All are amazing discs that can be used to shape multiple shots and are very friendly to newer players.
12) What do you think you do to help grow the sport?
Well I’d say I grow the sport by showing a very friendly and professional side to the sport and trying to show that’s it a very fun sport for any kind of person to try and play. It’s a healthy and fun activity for the whole family and I love sharing that with people wherever I’m flying to at different airports.
13) Is there anything else you would like people to know about you that they may not?
Gosh. Probably the only thing that I could think of would be that I actually like the innova groove and that I used to model as a kid.
I would like to thank Tyler Gamboa for letting me ask him these questions and for taking the time out of his day answer them. If you would like to know more about him you can find him on all forms of social media! Look out for more coming soon!
Picture credit goes to Tyler Gamboa