“My first ace will always be one to remember. Also my first tournament in 2023. My best memory might be the course my friends and I got to design and build and now have a fully running 18 hole course with a weekly tags league running with great turnouts!… Skywood DGC in Cresco, PA. My friends and I just designed and constructed the course a few months ago and opened it to public in June with the help of the township.”
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 Nick Melendez (PDGA #251302)
Tell us about yourself! How old are you? Where do you live? What do you do (work/school/etc.)?
I am 32 years old and live in Stroudsburg, PA. I work in the IT Department for Highlights for Children, The Magazine.
Tell us about the most important people in your life! Who do you live with (family, friends, etc.)?
My wife, Shelby, and our daughter, Rayne, are the most important people in my life. Don’t know where I would be without them!
Do you have a nickname or just something else that you go by?
I just go by Nick.
Disc Golf Journey
How long have you been playing disc golf?
I’ve been playing almost 7-8 years but last year was the first year I really started to want to get better. Put in a ton of practice and started competing and joining a league.
How did you get started with disc golf?
A friend of mine got introduced and then a few close friends tried it out and we all became addicted to it.
Share some of your memorable disc golf moments…
My first ace will always be one to remember. Also my first tournament in 2023. My best memory might be the course my friends and I got to design and build and now have a fully running 18 hole course with a weekly tags league running with great turnouts!
Some Random Personal Stuff
What do you do when you’re not playing disc golf?
When not playing I am just being a dad and doing as much as I can with my daughter. I’m big into football so when football season comes around I’m either playing disc golf or watching football.
What is your absolute favorite food (something you couldn’t live without)?
Can never turn down a good cheeseburger….
What’s your favorite fast-food restaurant?
I’d probably say Chick-fil-A or Wendy’s.
What are some of your favorite movies of all time?
Friday Night Lights. This Is The End. Pineapple Express
What are some of your favorite TV shows/series?
Vikings. Game of Thrones. Sons of Anarchy
Do you have any pro or college sports teams you are fanatic about?
Kansas City Chiefs and the Michigan Wolverines!
In the Bag
What is the first disc golf disc that you ever owned?
I believe my first disc was a Innova DX Leopard.
What are some of your favorite discs that are in your bag right now?
I bag a mix of MVP/Axiom and Discmania. My favorite discs currently are the Essence and DD1 from Discmania and the Insanity and Hex from MVP/Axiom.
What else is always in your bag other than discs?
Water and a towel.
Disc Golf Courses
Do you have a course that you consider your ‘home course’? Tell us about it.
Skywood DGC in Cresco, PA. My friends and I just designed and constructed the course a few months ago and opened it to public in June with the help of the township.
What are a few of your favorite disc golf courses to play?
Yetter Park, Moore Township, Jordan Creek, Pinebrook
What is a dream disc golf course for you that you hope to play someday?
Maple Hill and New London in Virginia are two courses at the top of my wishlist.
Let’s Play Disc Golf
Do you have any pre-round or post-round rituals that you do when you play disc golf?
No rituals. Just stretch and warm up the arm before a round.
Do you drink, smoke, snack, or partake in anything else while playing disc golf? What’s your go-to?
No
Are you just a casual disc golfer? Do you participate in any local leagues? Do you compete in disc golf tournaments?
I am part of 2 local leagues and this year was the first year I’ve entered into tournaments.
Do you have any tips for aspiring disc golfers?
Don’t try and be good as soon as you start playing. Focus on the little things to help you get better. There are so many little details into form that you want to make sure you do it right and keep adding to it to get better.
Disc Golf Fun Stuff
Do you have any favorite professional disc golfers that you follow?
The goat, Simon Lizotte.
Do you have any disc golf goals that you are trying to achieve?
I want to start averaging closer to par or under par. Also want to participate in more tournaments and place better.
Who do you typically play disc golf with?
My close friends and anyone from the leagues I play in.
What would a perfect disc golf round look like for you?
Just a clear sunny day. Not to hot or cold with minimal wind. And it would be perfect if I made all my putts and have a lot of birdies and no bogies….
Let’s Get Social
You can find my local disc golf course Skywood at the link below
https://m.facebook.com/groups/1319747342256596/