with host Brian Sullivan / DiscLife.com
January, 2001

Dr. Rick Voakes: The Ageless Wonder

Disc Golf Hall of Famer and all around nice guy Rick Voakes is aging better than fine wine and stinky cheese.

In 2000, Voakes became the oldest player in history to win a SuperTour in the Open division... at age 51. Then at the World Championships, he would find himself competing in the Final Nine with the best of the best. We decided to take a look in Dr. Rick's bag, and see what we could learn.

Drivers:
Innova KC Eagle
"KC eagle has been the most reliable disc this last year, and I get great distance out of it, consistently over 400. I get J-Bird to dye them, and they look great too!"

Innova KC Teebird
"I was also using some KC Teebirds, and crushed some long holes at the Worlds to deuce some holes I didn't think I had a chance on. But also had some trouble controlling these, as they would get understable after some wear."

Innova CE Teebird
"I am EXTREMELY impressed by the new CE (Champion Edition) Teebirds which are even more reliable than the KC Eagles. This disc may take the place of my KC Eagles, but I am still carrying both."

On Weights and Special Shots:
"For extreme wind, I carry a CE Firebird. For rollers or trick shots, a beat up KC Teebird, or sometimes an old Stingray. All my drivers are heavy weights, 174-175 gm. I may find that the CE discs are stable enough to use in 170 gm, as I am trying some at that weight now with good results. I am also working with the CE Valkyrie, for long distance gliding shots."

PDGA # 2632 THE VOAKES FILE: Name: John Eric Voakes, MD FAAP Birthdate: 5-19-49 Throws: Righthanded Hometown: Bowling Green, KY Occupation: Pediatrician (full-time solo practice) Average driving distance: 400 Favorite three courses: Sinnissippi, Cabin Creek, Daytona Beach Significant finishes/honors/offices: "I have over 80 first place finishes at PDGA sanctioned tournaments. Some of the good ones were KC Wide Open, Huntsville Open, Cincinnati Worlds in 1988, Cincinnati Super Tour in 1999, Bowling Green Open twice, Augusta 2000, and Daytona Beach." "My 4th place finish at the 2000 Worlds was definitely memorable. I was PDGA Points Leader in 1989, and won the Jim Olsen Sr Award in 2000. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995. Offices include PDGA Board Member for four years, Regional Coordinator for six years, and Rules Committee the last 10 years (probably my proudest and most worth-while accomplishment)."

Approach:
Innova Roc
"I carry two bright orange Rocs, 180 gm. Sometimes one will be newer and will be a little more stable, but now they are about equal. In practice rounds, the two discs both get thrown for extra practice, and to correct what I did wrong on the first one. Or if I did it right, to see if I can do it again consistently. If I am inside 100 feet, I will use my putter. I have tried the "JK Aviar" (Juliana Korver) recently and have been hitting Pole Holes dead center from 120 feet, so this might find a spot in my bag soon."

Putter:
Innova Aviar
"A 175 gm stiff, big bead Aviar, and of course I have two identical. Just before Worlds 200 in Ann Arbor, I threw my best putter in the water on (you guessed it!) hole four at Cass-Benton. Luckily my friend Steve Bowra had a couple spares that he gave me. They were both white, so now I putt two whites instead of the traditional two yellows."

Mini:
"I use an orange Flying Disc Drive (that's the Nashville club) which I have used for over 10 years."

Aging Secrets for the Competitive:
"It takes a lotta desire, and putting in the extra effort. Two years ago, my friend Andy Ritter and I got the Parks Dept to let us practice putting all winter at one of the two raquetball courts in the Community Center. We set up a basket at the far end of the court, and putted from all positions, even out the door and across the hall (that made a 55-footer). This winter, Sylvia and I joined the gym at the same Community Center, and are pumping iron for a change (instead of plastic).

"I also have a sincere commitment to DAILY physical fitness. I have always (for the last 20 years) reserved a three-hour lunch break every day in order to assure that I have time to work out, and that usually means at least 18 holes of disc golf. In the summer we also get in 18 holes after work.

"It doesn't hurt to be married to a three-time world champion disc golfer, who gives me extra motivation. Sylvia also happens to be the supreme guru of head control (ask any disc golfer who has ever played with her!), and she has helped me a lot with my head game.

"There are lots of other aspects to fitness, including nutrition, keeping mentally active, staying free of illness, and keeping dangerous poisons out of your body. Check out my medical web page to find out more about that: www.health-bytes.com."

On Winning Disc Golf:
"See above! Especially the head game part, as there are many golfers with the skills to win, but it often comes down to the head game. And by this I am referring to the abilty to ignore the trivial games and annoyances, and focus on the true game."

"I try to sincerely appreciate the skills of my competitors, and cheer them on just as much as I cheer myself on. In the grand scheme of things, we golfers are all in this together, and a great shot by a competitor is really another great shot for our game that we all love, and it will make our sport that much better in the future."