Saturday, August 29, 2009

Nikko's BIG ACE!!!!

Nikko just called from the Quad Cities during his round at the Iron Lion Event.
He was pretty excited saying he hit his FIRST tournament ACE.
Here's the kicker,,, it was on a 430' foot hole,,,, Id say that's a big ace!!!!
I told him to stay focused and finish up the round and call me later!!!

Hopefully we can get a blog set up for Nikko and get him posting regularly, he always seems to have something interesting to tell me from the road about his disc golf touring and I'm sure he would love to share some of it with his fans!!

Nikko has continued to play well lately with 2 - 2nd place finishes since worlds earning $2500 for 2nd at the Vibrum Open NT and $500 for 2nd in A tier the following week in Connecticut,,,, here are some stats from our website leading up to worlds in KC.

This has been one heck of a year already for 20 year old Gateway SPONSORED PRO Nikko Locastro. He has competed in an event almost every weekend so far this year and has produced some eye catching results which should have him in the running for player of the year.

Right after new years, Nikko and his Girl fiend Carmen Packed up the Oldsmobile and headed for California from St Louis. A few days later he landed in Oceanside California and stayed with one of Gateways sponsored players Jared Pearson. Jared offered Nikko an indefinite place to stay and Nikko used the hospitality as a hub for getting to several early season events.

After winning by 5 in January at Flagstaff, Nikko went on to shoot a 4 round pdga rating record averaging 1053.5 at the CSUMB Otter Open in Nor Cal, beating local pros Nate Doss and Greg Barsby while cruising to a 6 throw win over 2nd place and fellow young gun Matt Orum.

All of this early season play in the warm weather of California proved to pay off BIG as Nikko Captured the 1st national tour event of the year and the $2,500.00 1st place check at the memorial in Phoenix AZ by 3 strokes over a very tough field.

Nikko is a major contender on the tour and has the ability to win any event he enters. He has a very well rounded game and is considered one of the best putters on tour. Combining his HUGE putting range with smooth technique, BIG power, great touch in the woods and accurate laying up,,, if you want to beat Nikko,,,,, you better bring you're A game!

Nikko's presence is being felt on the tour in more ways than one. Plagued with being a little too emotional at times, Nikko still has a lot to learn about keeping his composure for all 72 holes of an event. The ability to bring out the fire from inside and maintain the proper emotional levels at the same time, week after week, hole after hole, shot after shot is not a small task, especially when youre 20 years old and on tour competing with local course homies and well seasoned vets. Winning at the highest level of play is something very few people will ever get the chance to do and most probably don't understand what it really takes to win. Until you have competed at the top of a professional sport or you've walked in similar shoes,,,,, don't be so quick to judge.

Nikko is always willing to help younger kids out with their games and has developed many fans across the country that root for him wherever he goes!

Don’t just rely on what you may have read or heard about this phenomenal Athlete, and think about the source. Get out and watch an event your self and see this kid and other top pros in action. You might be surprised to see 40 year olds acting like 20 year olds at times.

Nikko is always working on his physical and mental game and like anyone still has room to grow! Despite some emotional outbursts stemming from the tension... Nikko's stats so far in 2009 speak for them self!

* Current rating 1031
* #1 money at $11,248.00 ( plus $2,100.00 plus in bonuses)
* #1 in points
* #1 in events played (20)
* 6 wins
* 5 2nds
* Top 5 in 18 of 20 events
* Cashed in 56 straight pdga events over 3 seasons
* Currently ranked 10th in the pdga world ranking.

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About David

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St. Louis, MO, United States
I own and operate Gateway Disc Sports, a disc manufacturing and course design and installation company.