Friend Versus Friend

Ron Russell and Ken Climo have a long history together. Climo was already a champion at the time Russell started playing disc golf, and when Ron decided he wanted to be the best, he figured he should learn from the best. As a result, Russell moved to Florida and spent several years golfing with the Champ and studying his technique. The two quickly became friends.

The pair have since spent a lot of time on the road together, and were roommates as recently as July at the Kansas City Wide Open.

Now it seemed that all bets were off, and the friendship was in jeopardy. Russell wanted his first gold basket, and Climo wanted to make it an even ten. The line had been drawn.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come in second to Kenny,” said Russell. “I’m ready for a win.”

An Explosive Situation

By Wednesday night the tournament hotel was abuzz over the feud. To make matters worse, the pools were being shuffled, putting both Russell and Climo on the lead card of “A” pool. Thursday morning was threatening to break into full-contact disc golf.

The newly shuffled “A” pool was playing Thursday’s early round at Genesee Valley Park. It was cool and sunny, but a 7:30 am tee time was too early for the sun to have burned off the thick blanket of dew on the course. There was a touch of mist, but the air was mostly filled with tension between the two leaders. Many deep breathes were drawn. Whooooo dog, here we go.

The morning’s leader card threesome was rounded out by distance record holder Scott Stokely, the class clown of the pro ranks (with apologies to Gregg "Miniac" Hosfeld, professional comic). Being fully aware of the tension, Stokely figured this wasn’t a good round to be makin' with the wisecracks.

Climo was trailing by two strokes, while third place Stokely was nine out from Russell.

Before the round began, Climo and Stokely were putting on hole eighteen’s basket, while Russell chose to warm up in private. As the two minute warning approached, you could sense that stomachs were knotting and frustrations were boiling.

Then, literally out of the mist, a white knight appeared in the form of PDGA #003, Dan “Stork” Roddick. Stork is the most revered of all disc golfers, and he intentionally changed his morning plans to shadow the leader group. He knew that his presence would ensure a prevailing professionalism among the players. The leaders were not about to disrespect Stork by acting childish.

The round began, and the early morning stillness was virtually unbroken, except for the occasional sound of Stokely’s discs fighting with the trees. The small gallery consisted of Stork, Stokely’s wife/caddie Christie (she's pregnant, congrats!), Worlds Publicity Director Ren Curtis and myself. Russell and Climo hardly spoke a word, and no one else dared to break the silence. Pull, putt, ching. Pull, putt, ching.

At a backup on hole thirteen, a discussion was underway between the feuders. They moved off to the side and spoke quietly, but their body language was clear enough. Some differences were being aired. Stork had bailed by then, his gentle point made and chaperone services no longer needed.

“Ron apologized for the way he reacted on Tuesday, and we worked it out from there,” said Climo.

“I was afraid I was losing a friend,” Russell said afterward. “Winning is important to both of us. Ken and I go a long way back, but I wasn’t going to take that kind of treatment from him or anyone. I came here to win, and if someone is working me, they’re going to hear about it. Everything’s cool now.”

The rest of the round went smoothly and without incident. Ken Climo finished the round with a -9 and took a one stroke lead over Russell, who finished at -6. Scott Stokely hobbled into tournament central with a -2, and wouldn’t revisit the leader card until the Final Nine on Saturday.