From yard putts to world championships, West Virginia’s Corey Ellis is on a line straight for greatness.
Cowl Picture: No stranger to the lead card, Corey Ellis has confirmed himself in opposition to the world’s finest. Picture by Kevin Huver
Most children develop up wanting tobe astronauts or race automotive drivers. Not Corey Ellis. After his dad handed him a disc at age 5, he was hooked. At present, the Milton, West Virginia, native is competing on the world stage with sponsorships from Discraft and Squatch and even a signature shoe from Idio Sports activities. Between tournaments, we caught up with Ellis to speak concerning the grind of coaching, staying calm in huge moments, and chasing a dream in opposition to all odds.
BRO: What was your childhood like, and the way did disc golf come into the image?
Ellis: My dad took me out to play disc golf once I was 5. We didn’t have some huge cash rising up, however my dad and mom made positive we by no means went with out. Disc golf was nice as a result of all you wanted was your discs, and if you happen to didn’t lose them, you could possibly maintain enjoying at no cost.
BRO: When did you understand you wished to take it past a interest and go professional?
Ellis: In 2009, my aunt—my dad’s sister—handed away in a home fireplace. She had three daughters, and my dad was the one one left to take them in. That very same summer season, he bought laid off from work. My mother advised me, “Why don’t you go spend time along with your dad? Go play disc golf with him.” That summer season, we performed two or three rounds a day, each single day, rain or shine. I bought good actually quick, and shortly after that, I began enjoying tournaments. That fall, my dad took me to the U.S. Disc Golf Championship in Rock Hill, South Carolina. On the finish of the occasion, that they had a distance showcase over an enormous lake—guys had been throwing 700 or 800 toes. I assumed it was the best factor I’d ever seen. From then on, that’s all I wished to do.
BRO: When did disc golf shift from one thing you probably did on the facet to your principal job?
Ellis: After highschool, I labored as a server at a Mexican restaurant for 3 and a half years. They had been actually good with my schedule, so I may play native professional tournaments on the weekends. On my lunch break, I’d go house and apply placing in my yard day by day for that complete hour and a half. That actually helped me get to a different degree. In 2018, I bought sponsored by Discraft, and after that, I bought overwhelmed attempting to stability two jobs. I give up the restaurant and went on tour full-time. I’ve been residing off disc golf ever since.
BRO: How did folks react while you mentioned you had been pursuing a profession as knowledgeable disc golfer?
Ellis: To be fully trustworthy, I didn’t inform folks for some time. If I defined that I used to be touring to play tournaments, they’d simply be confused or suppose it was a joke. Virtually all people—aside from a handful of individuals—advised me to cease enjoying and get an actual job. One older man advised me I ought to give up so I may pay into his Social Safety. That was in 2018. Now, I’m a serious champion and receives a commission to play.
BRO: What’s the largest false impression about disc golf?
Ellis: Folks nonetheless label it as a “hippie” sport due to the previous picture of individuals throwing frisbees on the seaside. And yeah, there are informal gamers. However on the professional degree, it’s totally different. In Finland, for instance, there have been over 10,000 spectators on the Skilled Disc Golf Affiliation World Championships. It’s an enormous deal.
BRO: What are some latest profession highlights?
Ellis: This yr’s World Championships in Finland was my finest end but—14th place. I additionally gained the 2023 European Open, the 2024 New Zealand Nationwide Championship, and I’m a four-time West Virginia State Doubles Champion with my dad.
BRO: Do you’ve got a go-to disc setup?
Ellis: For placing, I take advantage of a Discraft Challenger OS. For driving, it simply is dependent upon the opening. For distance, I’ll use a Discraft Pressure. For midrange, I take advantage of a Discraft Buzzz.
BRO: Is there a participant you’ve particularly regarded as much as or discovered from?
Ellis: Rising up, I watched each little bit of disc golf content material I may discover on YouTube. Paul McBeth was an enormous affect on me. Now he’s a superb pal—we’ve even stayed at his home in Florida throughout the winter and performed a few tournaments collectively.
BRO: What does your routine appear to be while you’re on tour?
Ellis: We’re on the street at the very least 9 months a yr, logging 35,000 miles or extra, so it’s a number of journey. Every time we are able to, we prepare dinner as a substitute of consuming out. Recently, that’s meant a number of pasta. We are able to make an enormous batch and eat on it for a few days. I attempt to maintain my food plan fairly clear. I don’t drink soda and stick principally to water and occasional. However I solely drink one cup of espresso earlier than a match spherical, so I don’t get jittery. On the coaching facet, I putt 200 to 300 occasions a day and do mobility workout routines earlier than each spherical to forestall harm. I additionally use a respiratory approach I discovered from a sports activities psychologist to gradual my coronary heart charge and keep calm underneath stress, particularly in these huge moments.
BRO: What’s your favourite course to play, and why?
Ellis: I’d should say Rotary Park in Huntington, West Virginia, as a result of it’s the place I grew up enjoying. With the lengthy tees and sure pin positions, it’s not a simple course. Although it’s one of many older programs within the state, it could possibly nonetheless problem a number of gamers.
BRO: What’s your finest tip for somebody simply moving into the game?
Ellis: Bear in mind to have enjoyable. That’s why all of us began enjoying, in any case.
