Cam who? Atlanta's Cameron Todd isn't yet a name in disc golf households, but give him a
little time. Since joining the PDGA Tour this year, Cam has already won three
SuperTours; the Dogwood Crosstown Classic, Waco and the InFlight. Todd Branch recently sat down
with Cam to deliver the scoops.
Branch: Congratulations on your success so far this year. Tell us a little bit about how you got started in the sport.
Cam: Well, I was attending the art institute in Atlanta, where I met Todd Greene.
We went to a park one day and made up our own course. We played 3 times
that summer and later heard about a real course with wooden posts to play on.
Five years later after I moved to Clemson, South Carolina and met Todd Harper,
who worked in the music industry, and he took me to my first
basket course: Wills Park in Alpharetta, Georgia. I was hooked.
Today I own the course record at Wills. That was in 1997. Six months later
I joined the PDGA and attended my first sanctioned tournament. I played Open
and had high hopes, but got smacked around by Brad Hammock and Ron Russell.
I also was reacquainted with Todd Greene at my first tournament. I hadn't seen
or spoken with him in 5 years. It was also his first tournament... freaky!
Branch: Tell us about your relationship with Todd Breiner, Doug Porter
and the new Flying Eye. How did that all get started and how is it working
out for you?
Cam: We talked about touring and sponsorship on and off for most of a year.
Flying Eye needed to wait and see how my game was going to shape up and Todd
and Doug needed to learn more about the business ins-and-outs of the sport
before we were ready to make any committed moves toward touring and
sponsorship. So far things have gone well. I'm performing above my set goals,
and so is Flying Eye. The future looks good for our relationship.
Branch: When the season started out you were traveling with Dickie
Bockaras. Tell us what happened with Dickie and how you came to be
traveling with Mike Young and Lesli Herndon.
Cam: When you first go out on tour, it's a learning experience. The cost of
food, gas and lodging can be a little overwhelming at first. Everyone knows
that disc golf doesn't really pay that well unless you are winning. Dickie
was mostly along for the adventure of it all. He had a great time and his
presence made things fun for me too. He moved on to a new adventure and who
knows, we might see him again.
When I met Mike Young all he wanted to do was go on tour. He'd been playing
for a while and felt he was ready to take the step.
His game impressed me and it took some work to talk him into touring but I
knew he had the potential to do well on tour.... and he is.
Lesli was already an impressive player and she wanted to tour also. I just
can't say no to a pretty girl.
Branch: So is touring what you expected it to be? Have you made some new
friends? What are some surprises that you didn't expect?
Cam: Touring is everything I expected it would be. I live for competition
and comeradary. The cost of gasoline this year was a surprise.
Branch: It's starting to seem like anyone who goes on tour can expect to be
successful. Do you agree? What does it take to hit the tour and survive?
Cam: The people who are successful on tour are already accomplished
players. I don't think that "Joe Amateur" could expect to go out on tour
and survive. I thought that I would come out and just start winning but it
took loads practice and perseverance to find the success that I was looking
for. It'll take loads more to get to the next level.
Branch: The PDGA doesn't really do anything to help support touring players.
Do you think that we players who do tour should form an organization of our
own to boost the pro tour? Is a more organized tour the next step in lifting our
sport to the next level? Do you see it happening?
Cam: I've only been involved in the sport for a few years now. However I do
have a few ideas, and I would love to attend a board meeting maybe to discuss
my opinions. I am really looking forward to learning more the PDGA.
Branch: What do you think the future holds for you and your friends? Will
you tour next year?
Cam: I will be touring for the rest of my life. I've already enjoyed
many memories of accomplishment, satisfaction, and cherished moments with
great people. There will always be disappointment, but that makes it that much
more worthy.
Branch: Is there anything else that you would like people to know about
yourself or any subjects that are important to you that I missed?
Cam: Oh yeah, I have a mole in the shape of a disc on my leg. Thanks to Innova,
Flying Eye, Mom, Dad, and God.
