Capitola's World Champ Comes Home

Capitola is non synonymous with sports, but believe it or not, the number one disc golf player in the world, Nate Doss, hails from our beachside town. Doss, who stays busy throughout the year on the international disc golf circuit, was in town over the weekend for the Steady Ed Masters Cup.

According to Doss, getting off the road to stay at his own house makes stepping on the tee pad for the “Steady Ed” different than any other weekend on the Professional Disc Golf Association National Tour schedule.

“It's an amazing feeling. I get to see my mom, and she gets out and watches,” he said. “When you're on tour, you go from hotel to hotel or friend's house to friend's house, and new course to new course.”

When Doss is home he doesn't practice as hard and takes the opportunity to barbeque with friends and keep a balance in his life. With the National Tour stretching most of the year, and a demand for him to play tournaments around the world, it's a chance he rarely gets.

“It's kind of a calming feeling to play in front of your buddies,” said Doss. “Ultimately it's still really stressful too, because I am trying to win for Santa Cruz County, but that's a lot of pressure I put on myself.”

He rode that relaxed feeling to an impressive second place finish Sunday. The comfort of the hometown crowd couldn't fight off Paul McBeth from Clearwater, Florida who shot a mind blowing 13 under par on Sunday.

Doss held a one stroke lead at 18 under par after two days, but it was McBeth's day as he tallied thirteen birdies. He said he keeps his composure regardless of his play by staying in the moment.

“A good golf player just forgets about the last hole,” he said.

Capitola is also home of Valarie and Avery Jenkins. Valarie is the top-ranked woman in the world currently, and her brother is always a competitor. 

Did you know Capitola was home to such prestigious athletes? Do you play disc golf? Tell us in the comments!

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