By Brian Sullivan and Brian Hoeniger

Player of the Year
Return of the King
Related Story: Ron Russell

The list of champions among champions includes names like Ali, McGuire, Jordan, Woods... and Climo (pronounced "KLEYE-mo," rhymes with "fry go"). This affable 31-year-old has been the Men's World Champion an amazing nine times, from 1990 through 1998. For nine consecutive years, Ken Climo faced disc golf's best competitors from across the globe and came out on top every time.

That changed for Climo last year at the 1999 Pro World Championships in Rochester, New York, when longtime friend Ron Russell kept pace and then pulled away during the final rounds. The Climo dynasty had come to an end.

Was it a fluke, or has The Champ finally peaked? The answer should become more clear this week.

The Clearwater, Florida native dominated his competition soon after coming on the scene, winning his first World title a brief three years after picking up his first golf disc. His disc golfing philosophy: "Bogies will kill you."

THE CLIMO FILE: • Elected to Disc Golf Hall of Fame: 1995 • Nine time World Champion (consecutive 90-98) • Japan Open 94-95, USDGCs 99 • Seven-time time PDGA Male Player of the Year • All time PDGA Open Division Wins Leader ~151 • SuperTour Wins Leader ~49 • Points Leader - 88-89* & 89-90 Tour Years, 1994-Present • 3-2-1 points system Points Leader, 1995 • All time PDGA Tour Money Leader: $147,346+ • PDGA Tour Money Leader 8 times - 90, 92-98 (Valencia 91, Russell 99) • In 1995 Climo won almost 2 1/2 times the cash of any other player (Randolph 2nd: $7878) • Has cashed 200+ straight times, last known missed the cash: Florida Triple Crown #1 Feb 1989

Ken says his best year was 1995. "That year I played in 26 tournaments, taking first place in 23 events and second place in the other three." Are you listening, Tiger Woods?

His advice for amateurs who are thinking about moving to the pro level: "If you have a 375 foot drive, you can compete at any level in this game. You don't have to shoot 450 feet to win at the pro level." Of course, if you plan on winning against Kenny, a 450 foot drive wouldn't hurt!

Year	Cash	Points	# Events	Wins	STours	Worlds	USDGC	Japan	Plyr of Yr
1988	$363+	UNK	4+	1	0	N/A	•	•	•
1989	$2,098+	306*	9+	4	1	5th	•	•	•
1990	$9,098	663*	19	12	4	1st	•	•	Yes
1991	$10,406	UNK	23	13	2	1st	•	•	•
1992	$12,468	580+	20	14	1	1st	•	•	Yes
1993	$13,010	413+	16	11	5	1st	•	•	•
1994	$13,155	1148**	19	14	3	1st	•	1st	Yes
1995	$19,295	2092	26	23	11	1st	•	1st	Yes
1996	$12,523	1489	21	16	3	1st	•	•	Yes
1997	$14,294	1584	22	15	6	1st	•	•	Yes
1998	$17,797	2002	22	13	4	1st	•	•	Yes
1999	$22,839	2017	21	15	9	2nd	1st	•	TBD
Totals	$147,346+		224+	151~	49~