The Percussionist- Chandler Fry Q and A
Another name that I see popping up in my local area is Olympia, WA native and Latitude 64 thrower Chandler Fry. First off, he has a phenomenal name. Second, he is a great guy and has a great story. So, when you get the chance you should give his answers a read and learn more about him. Enjoy!
1) How did you get your start into Disc Golf?
In 2002, my dad and I were walking around our neighborhood in Olympia, WA, and we saw some college students throwing ultimate lids at garbage cans and telephone poles. We asked them what they were doing and they told us they were playing "object golf." My dad looked into it and discovered the best sport on earth, which of course is disc golf. We found a course nearby called Milo McIver State Park, bought some Discraft Ultrastars and gave it shot! Looking back on it now, its pretty funny that the first course I ever played was the 10,000 or so foot monster that still punishes me to this day. I remember feeling exhausted after the round, but excited to play more. Milo definitely planted the competitive seed that still drives me to play to this day.
2) Who or what inspires you to continue to play?
To be honest, if I don't play disc golf for just a week, I get incredibly depressed. The sport has become such a huge part of my life, that I literally need it to stay sane. The belief that my friends and family have in me keeps me going as well.
3) What is it like to be sponsored?
Sponsorship was a goal I started to chase back in my amateur days, and finally achieving it was incredible. To have a company with the sterling reputation of Latitude 64, put their belief in me is an honor, and a dream come true. It is definitely a motivating factor knowing that when I'm out there on the course, Im playng for something bigger than just myself.
4) What’s it like to be on Team latitude 64?
Having the opportunity to represent Latitude 64 has been amazing. We humans love belonging to something, and I love belonging to the Lat64 family! The people on the team are incredibly supportive all the way down from the Team Captain, Dave Feldberg, to the ambassadors. I am on my fourth year on the team, and I am still humbled and honored to be able to represent such an innovative and community-minded company. Also being able to throw Latitude 64, Westside Discs and Dynamic Discs products allows me to pick and choose from an impressive array of molds and plastics. They have discs for every throw and every situation!
5) What was it like to win your first event?
My first "big" win was back in 2007 at the Beaver State Fling, where I came out on top of a very competitive Oregon advanced field. I was 17 at the time, and I remember feeling a mixture a pride and relief. I finally had something to show for the countless hours of playing and practice that I had put into disc golf. My first pro win was a hard fought battle with Big Mike Leslie at the White River Open in 2009. Getting that first pro win was a huge weight off of my shoulders, and I was able to pick up a few more later that year.
6) Favorite Disc?
This is a tough question for me because Latitude 64 makes so many awesome discs, but I would have to go with the Latitude 64 Goldline Stiletto. Its probably one of the most overstable discs made, and its just fun to throw. I use it for power shots, s-shots, spike hyzers, and bomb sidearms. Its the most versatile disc in my bag and I wouldn't know what to do without it!
7) Favorite Course?
This is a close one, but my favorite course has to be Kincaid Park up in Anchorage Alaska. I have played a lot of courses in my time, but Kincaid is the only course where I have had to throw over a moose. Its natural beauty and untamed wilderness, mixed with its fantastic design makes it a challenging but highly enjoyable course. Also, the added adrenaline of running into a grizzly bear at any second adds a level of excitement that most courses can't offer.
8) What do you think you do to grow the sport?
Being a sponsored professional, I think its incredibly important to be a role model for the new wave of discers out there. Being available and helping new players has always been priorities of mine, but I could, and should, do a whole lot more. I plan to become more involved in my local club this year and give back to a group of people that have given me so much.
9) What advice can you give someone who wants to step up their game?
If you can throw a putter, you can throw any disc. Learning how to throw a putter helps improve not only your form, but your general understanding of how discs fly. Put the drivers on the shelf, grab a putter and start playing putter only rounds. I guarantee that you will start seeing improvement.
10) Is there anything else you would like people to know about you that they may not?
Before disc golf, my first love was music, specifically, percussion. I was a complete band geek through high school and even went to college on a music scholarship. I hardly play anymore, but for those who have driven with me know, I can't resist playing the steering wheel when a tasty jam comes over the radio.
I would like to thank Chandler for taking the time out of his day to talk to me and for letting me interview him! He was a great person to talk to and I am so glad I got to. If you would like to know more, check him out on social media! Look out for more coming soon!
Picture credit goes to Chandler Fry