“I Met a great life long friend, David Fournier at my first Disc Golf Tournament. HE has been playing forever and he could have snubbed the new guy but he cared, took care of me on a very challenging first tournament at 9000 ft of elevation and we have played many times since. He always gets first and I usually get second behind him in our age bracket! I won a tournament but he wasn’t playing! One of these days… I played Fox Run (short tees) and tied the course record of 13 under! Blessed day. Any given round can be challenging as I have several autoimmune diseases. The one that impacts the most is Myasthenia Gravis…”
Welcome to another edition of our Disc Golf Player Profile publication – where we feature disc golfers that you may or may not have heard of before. Everybody has their own disc golf story to tell. This is the place where those stories are being told and shared with the world!
Meet Eric Cole (PDGA #212110)
Tell us about yourself! How old are you? Where do you live? What do you do (work/school/etc.)?
I am 61 years old, from Colorado Springs, CO and I am employed with USSPACECOM.
Tell us about the most important people in your life! Who do you live with (family, friends, etc.)?
I have been married for 42 years to the love of my life, Jackie Cole. We have five sons and 12 grandkids.
Do you have a nickname or just something else that you go by?
Quest
Disc Golf Journey
How long have you been playing disc golf?
Since January 2022
How did you get started with disc golf?
My Brother-in-law started throwing with his kids and we camp together often, He got me on a course, I tried it, I liked it. We camp a lot so I play where there is a course near where we are camping. I developed Myasthenia Gravis, a rare autoimmune neuromuscular disease in May of 2019 (had symptoms prior but didn’t know what it was). I used to race road bicycles in Europe until I had a motorcycle accident.. Never really recovered from that (yes, I still ride). After that, I started developing several diseases. It is a chronic autoimmune, neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles that worsens after periods of activity. The name Myasthenia Gravis is latin for Grave or serious muscle weakness. THere is no cure but as long as I take medication every three hours, I can mostly function normally. I occasionally have breakthrough symptoms so some days are great and others not so much. I am a 61 year old, Air Force Veteran who is 90% disabled who can represent those that have limitations or disabilities and can still be competitive. I have placed first in a sanctioned tournament and second in all others in my age bracket. After Myasthenia Gravis, I felt dejected. I used to race and compete. Now I have to use an electric bike to ride. Disc Golf has brought back some of the athletic feelingI used to enjoy and the friendly competition. I hope to be a great role model and inspire others with limitations or disabilities to never give up, to keep moving forward, and to adapt, finding other passions like disc golf.
Share some of your memorable disc golf moments…
I Met a great life long friend, David Fournier at my first Disc Golf Tournament. HE has been playing forever and he could have snubbed the new guy but he cared, took care of me on a very challenging first tournament at 9000 ft of elevation and we have played many times since. He always gets first and I usually get second behind him in our age bracket! I won a tournament but he wasn’t playing! One of these days… I played Fox Run (short tees) and tied the course record of 13 under! Blessed day. Any given round can be challenging as I have several autoimmune diseases. The one that impacts the most is Myasthenia Gravis..
Some Random Personal Stuff
What do you do when you’re not playing disc golf?
Work, Camp (38 foot travel trailer), travel, take care of Chickens. Visit kids and grandkids
What is your absolute favorite food (something you couldn’t live without)?
BBQ Brisket
What’s your favorite fast-food restaurant?
Del Taco
What are some of your favorite movies of all time?
Princess Bride.
What are some of your favorite TV shows/series?
Murder Mysteries. I always guess the killer in the beginning.
Do you have any pro or college sports teams you are fanatic about?
Nope, When I was young and in shape, I played but never watched.
In the Bag
What is the first disc golf disc that you ever owned?
Maiden
What are some of your favorite discs that are in your bag right now?
Neo Essence, Vandal, Mamba (147 gram), Anode for putting, THe new Runway that isn’t out yet (got in a trilogy challenge). Getaway, Warship. I love MVP discs but can’t throw them well (not enough spin or speed).
What else is always in your bag other than discs?
Retriever, water, Mountain Dew, Dry bag, Several towels, Oxygen Concentrator
Disc Golf Courses
Do you have a course that you consider your ‘home course’? Tell us about it.
Cheyenne Mountain State PArk DIsc Golf course. It is a 9 hole course in the state park. The first 4 holes are short, near the RV spots, then the last 5 are up in the wooded area with a few technical and one or two long tee shot holes.
What are a few of your favorite disc golf courses to play?
Fox Run, Estes Park YMCA course, Lake Estes Golf Course disc golf course, Cumberland Greens, CHeyenne Mountain State Park Disc Golf course, and any course I am currently on.
What is a dream disc golf course for you that you hope to play someday?
Any course near me when I am camping. Every oneI have played has been awesome.
Let’s Play Disc Golf
Do you have any pre-round or post-round rituals that you do when you play disc golf?
Niope. I don’t throw very far off the tee so first shot is warmup.
Do you drink, smoke, snack, or partake in anything else while playing disc golf? What’s your go-to?
Mountain Dew is my only vice.
Are you just a casual disc golfer? Do you participate in any local leagues? Do you compete in disc golf tournaments?
I am a member of the Pikes Peak Vets Disc Golf Club and I do compete in tournaments.
Do you have any tips for aspiring disc golfers?
Go have fun, start with the basics.
Disc Golf Fun Stuff
Do you have any favorite professional disc golfers that you follow?
Simon LIzotte and Paul Ulibarri.
Do you have any disc golf goals that you are trying to achieve?
Beat David Fournier in a tournament and be rated 900 or more next year.
Who do you typically play disc golf with?
Whomever is on my card at the time. The Vets Disc Golf clubYour answer here
What would a perfect disc golf round look like for you?
Cool, sunny, playing with friends and grandkids, teaching them the sport
Let’s Get Social
(1) Disabled Disc Golfers | Facebook