“One of my individuals asked me one day (in 2019) if I had ever played disc golf. I looked at him and said, “I have never heard of this before. Can you tell me about it?” He told me that every year, there was like3 course that did free disc golf for individuals, sponsored by Special Olympics. I researched and found that Pineland Farms in New Glouster, Belgrade Lakes in Rome, and Quaker Hill in Fairfield, Maine allowed the individual to play the course for free or for a small fee of $2-$3. They could play as much as they wanted till about 2 pm. I have ever since!…”
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 RekaMichelle Cookson(PDGA #156695)
Tell us about yourself! How old are you? Where do you live? What do you do (work/school/etc.)?
I am a 46 year that loves playing disc golf. I live in Carmel, ME, just below Bangor, ME. I work for Creative Options, and I am a DSP who works with individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. I love the individuals I work with and enjoy the job, which is very rewarding in many ways. I work with Special Olympics and help raise money for our athletes.
Tell us about the most important people in your life! Who do you live with (family, friends, etc.)?
My family is the most important part of my life. I enjoy spending time with them on and off the course. I live with my Husband and my Daughter (who is in transition of moving out). My job takes up much time doing activities on weekends with my individuals or in the evenings.
Do you have a nickname or just something else that you go by?
My nickname is Crusher! I was given this name by Henry Grover, who owned my home course, Legacy Farms, in Winterport, ME.
Disc Golf Journey
How long have you been playing disc golf?
I learned the sport of Disc Golf in 2019!
How did you get started with disc golf?
One of my individuals asked me one day (in 2019) if I had ever played disc golf. I looked at him and said, “I have never heard of this before. Can you tell me about it?” He told me that every year, there was like3 course that did free disc golf for individuals, sponsored by Special Olympics. I researched and found that Pineland Farms in New Glouster, Belgrade Lakes in Rome, and Quaker Hill in Fairfield, Maine allowed the individual to play the course for free or for a small fee of $2-$3. They could play as much as they wanted till about 2 pm. I have ever since!
Share some of your memorable disc golf moments…
In 2020, I was looking in UDics to see what courses were in my area. I found Legacy Farms in Winterport, ME. My husband and I decided that we were going to check it out. We enjoyed the course, the owner, and everyone we met there and never left. I made Legacy my Home Course. The owner’s name is Henry Grover! He was the happiest, most encouraging mentor anyone could ask for. Henry had the most fantastic belly laugh everyone could hear throughout the course. Henry would always ask how my rounds went, and I would sit there and tell him all about them. Henry would always say that if he did not see it, it did not happen till one day when I could finally play a round with him. I shot a -7, and Henry was on my card. Henry talked me into playing his tournament for EDGE. I hesitated to play, but he was persistent, so I signed up. I took 1st place and had a blast. It did not matter to him how you played, good or bad; he would keep you optimistic that you did not want to stop working on your game. Henry was always very welcoming to my individuals and would allow them to work on the course to earn a season pass so they did not have to pay greens. Henry passed in March 2022. The course is closed, and he is missed by many. Henry wanted as many Legacy Team members to play in WORLDS for PDGA. I am working on bringing him with me so he also goes to WORLDS!
Some Random Personal Stuff
What do you do when you’re not playing disc golf?
If I am not working or playing disc golf, I am usually home holding my couch down as it misses me… lol!
What is your absolute favorite food (something you couldn’t live without)?
Lobster! Who doesn’t love Lobster? I have to get some at least six times during the summer.
What’s your favorite fast-food restaurant?
I don’t have a favorite, but if I had to pick one – Applebees
What are some of your favorite movies of all time?
Steamboat Willie! Top Gun, Twister, Erin Brochovich
What are some of your favorite TV shows/series?
That 70’s Show, Big Bang Theory, Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Doctor, New Amsterdam, JoMez Pro!
Do you have any pro or college sports teams you are fanatic about?
Patriots, Celtics, Boston Red Sox, Bruins
In the Bag
What is the first disc golf disc that you ever owned?
Mega Soft Gauntlet by Latitude 64 (No longer in production)
What are some of your favorite discs that are in your bag right now?
Star Mamba, Diamond, and Ethos Praxis
What else is always in your bag other than discs?
Champion and star Roc3, Star Tee-bird, Link
Disc Golf Courses
Do you have a course that you consider your ‘home course’? Tell us about it.
Legacy Farms in Winterport. The course is now closed. It was a great little course with some beginner holes on the front nine and then more of a technical back 10! Hole 15 was called the Punisher due to the long tunnel you had to throw through. If you hit the trees on the right, there was a great chance you could kiss the disc goodbye as the river was just over the bank. You could get lucky and hit the tree just right, and it would drop you just by the edge or on the bank. In 2022 at the end of the year, I finally threw out of the tunnel and landed about 30’ into the field for a birdie look!
What are a few of your favorite disc golf courses to play?
Quaker Hill, Angy Lobster, and Skyriders in Fairfield, Maine, Hapana in Trenton, Maine, DnD in Sidney, Maine, Belgrade Lakes in Rome, Maine
What is a dream disc golf course for you that you hope to play someday?
Maple Hill in Massacuttes
Let’s Play Disc Golf
Do you have any pre-round or post-round rituals that you do when you play disc golf?
I do not like warming up before playing because I have a rough round when I do.
Do you drink, smoke, snack, or partake in anything else while playing disc golf? What’s your go-to?
I drink water and BodyArmor while on the course. I am working on quitting smoking while playing. If I do have a smoke while playing, I stay behind others as I want to be respectful of others while playing.
Are you just a casual disc golfer? Do you participate in any local leagues? Do you compete in disc golf tournaments?
I play a lot of casual rounds with friends, Ladies’ night at either DR in Orrington, Maine, or Dnd in Sidney, Maine. I try and play at least 8-10 PDGA’s around Maine. I hope that next year I can go out of state and play some PDGAs.
Do you have any tips for aspiring disc golfers?
Don’t give up! I am a self-taught disc golfer who watched a lot of YouTube videos to be able to learn everything. I am still working on my game every time I play.
Disc Golf Fun Stuff
Do you have any favorite professional disc golfers that you follow?
Simon Lizotte, Hailey King, Big Jerm, and Paul Uliberry
Do you have any disc golf goals that you are trying to achieve?
I am still learning how to do the x-step, timing, and distance.
Who do you typically play disc golf with?
I play with my Daughter Makayla Patten, Kristy Raymond, Sumer Bayer, and many more, but these are my ladies!
What would a perfect disc golf round look like for you?
I don’t think there is a perfect round I am looking for right now; I would like to be more consistent with my drives, upshots, and putts. I think wanting an ideal game will come later after I can get everything I am working on together.
Let’s Get Social
Instagram – banging_chains_101
Facebook – Michelle Cooksom