Player Profile: ShankedDG
There are a billion reasons I love disc golf, but one of the biggest is the opportunity to meet new people. There’s this stereotype that all disc golfers are just hippie weed smoking stoners, but that simply isn’t true. I’ve met players from every walk of life, from policeman to chef. Traveling this great nation and being able to play disc golf has been a blessing in my life for sure, and I am forever grateful. And out of all these people I meet, my favorites are the ones trying to build something in the sport. This week I catch up with a person doing just that.
ShankedDG is 27 years old, and lives in Cedar Valley, Iowa. He is an AM player who is trying to build a disc golf brand. He is a pre-pandemic disc golfer and says, “A buddy back around 2015 introduced me. I played occasionally through the years but really fell in love in 2020, when I created ShankedDG and started working hard to get better.” When it comes to his style of play, Shankded likes to go big or go home. “I like my hero shots and Simon lines, much to the chagrin of my dubs partner”, he says. “I don’t ever get angry or frustrated in a round or really at my game. It’s important to me to remember we’re playing a silly game, emphasis on ‘game.! I try to be encouraging to my card mates, even when they’re not doing well, but never with unsolicited advice.” As a left-handed player, he relies almost exclusively on his backhand, but he does love a good thumber and the flick roller. Shanked has the right attitude both on and off the course, and his card mates are lucky to play with him.
The name ShankedDG was born out of Shanked’s desire to remain anonymous but has become the brand name for his burgeoning vlog and apparel efforts. Kaleb says, “As I’ve gotten more comfortable on camera staying anonymous has not been too important to me. I ‘sponsored’ a handful of players when I had my merchandise website as a way to support them via socials and to emphasize the importance of AMs over Pros in disc golf.” Recently Kaleb has moved forward and have plans to open a brick-and-mortar shop in 2024 saying, “I will continue their sponsorships with hopefully much better benefits.” It is this kind of unyielding support for his friends that makes Kaleb such a wonderful human being, “Almost to an annoying extent!”, he adds.
Shanked is like so many of us, just a recreational golfer with just enough skills to get out there and have fun while competing. For 2023, he set gave himself some goals to achieve. He says, “I’m 7 tournaments into my 10-tournament goal. I want to hit 400ft off the tee consistently, which I’ve done. I want to hit an 875 rating by the end of the year, but that has turned out to be kind of hard. Of all the tournaments I’ve played this year, I played 5 of the 7 tournaments ‘blind’, which I suppose is impressive in its own way.” Even as he pursues these goals, he’s never lost sight of the real reason he plays. “Mostly I just want to play the game I love and make friends along the way. And that’s going swimmingly!”, he says. Any bucket list goals for 2023? “I’d love to play in the Blackhawk Metro Open, but it’s pricey and in demand, so here’s to hoping”, he says.
While out on the course and through his online efforts, Shanked has garnered support from some great companies. He recently secured a sponsorship with MojohGear, a fledgling company that sells a retractable and portable seating solution that attaches to your bag. Shanked says, “They are a great company consisting of great people.” Go check them out if you’d like so support ShankedDG.
In closing, I asked Shanked what the one piece of advice is he would give a new player. “It’s simple”, he says. “Rounding is a symptom not a cause. Reach out not back!” Wise words indeed. Thank you, ShankedDG, for taking time to share your story with the Gatekeeper Blog.
Do you know somebody who we should feature here? Let me know! You can find me @DiscGolfHunter on all the socials. Reach out and maybe your buddy will be on the next one. Thanks for reading, cheers.
