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.

Gateway Open Sunday August 30th

I know,,,,I know,,,, a little late to get the word out, but tomorrow we are having the 18th annual Gateway Open in Centralia Il at Foundation Park.

If you haven't had a chance to play this course, Its just 60 minutes from Downtown St Louis and one of the best disc golf courses in the world.

The event will be 2 rounds on the big course. round open from the short tees and round 2 from the long.
The pin placements are mixed with al the par 3's in the short and everything else in the long,,, should be fun.

Playing to a par 72, this course will require you to use all the shots you know and all the discs in your bag.

Tonight we are having a GLOW round on the 9 hole course, hosted by the Centralia disc golf club, they have 9 circular light fixtures that are placed on the top of the basket which light up the basket,, should be a lot of fun.

if you read this and come to the event and mention my blog,,, I will give you 2 free putters,,,, see you there!!!

OG baby,

We actually wound up running 2 different runs of of Organic (OG) Wizards,
One is a light green almost mint green (SSS) and the other is a darker green almost army with some black swirls (SS) most are max weight with that sweet maple syrup smell and feel awesome. There are about 500 total OG wizards which isn't much.
We will be stamping these within the next few days with the small wizard stamp and OG prototype stamp. They will be ready to ship to retail stores and on line vendors by Monday.

Today we are running SSS Black Voodoo's and then some of our other models and flexes in Black.
IF you like BLACK Putters we should have plenty!

Stupid soft and organic putters

We are right in the middle of a big run of Stupid soft Putters (SSS) and some of these babies are stupid,,, Silly even Squishy-Soft. We have them available in Wizards and Warlocks in white yellow blue and black ( the black are still stupid but not so squishy!)
The SSS are molding up a bit flatter and just melt when they hit the chains, if you like stupid soft putters these are some of the softest and most flexible we have ever run. we should be stamping them and have them available by the end of the week.

We also just ran about 200 organic Wizards and they will go fast.
This run would be considered super soft and have a little firmness in the rim. ( of course keeping with the "green eco friendly theme" they are all green and mostly max weight.

Links to a few cool disc golf videos!

Just thought I'd post a few links to some disc golf videos,,, enjoy!


Nikko at 2008 worlds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDakj5qcINI&feature=related


Mixed bags???:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYfytPTs5qU


Nikko and Garrett:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR1iPyAR3Pg

What is disc golf:

http://www.ckaproduction.com/idc08htc1.htm

Just wanted to say thanks for all the support

Here is a copy of an email and my response:

Hi



I just wanted to make a statement to you that I had the opportunity to visit your HQ by Jefferson Barracks several weeks ago. At that time I spoke with Jeremy (or Justin...can't recall) and he gave me great advice on some of the Gateway discs available. I am new to disc golf, so I still have development to do on my form. However, with Jeremy's help I picked up several discs during my visit and I recently made a personal distance record of 375'(+) with an Assassin purchased that day. Awesome.



On another note, I have an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, worked in automotive for 10+ years, and I am currently working on my masters in info systems in Murray, KY at Murray State University. No I'm not telling you this to get a job or something, but more because I've read your articles on the gyroscopic and centrifugal influences you describe on disc flight and I have followed them 99%. I am impressed that 'someone' is putting technical thought into the flight of discs and applying it. I am sure there are guys out there who have tacet knowledge from years of trial and error, but it appears that you are developing theories and applying them. My impression from my visit was that you are very much into developing new ideas and are not afraid to try out a few things. Being a technical person, I think that is great



Although I too have theories about disc flight, my knowledge pales in comparison to the background you and others do in the disc industry. For that reason, I won't even attempt to pretend like I have any advanced perspective to provide. However, I do enjoy the contribution you are making to the sport and please continue to write the technical explanations about the development of your product. I surely enjoy reading about it and it has made me a fan of Gateway.



Kind regards,


--
Jeff Kaleta


Hey Jeff,

Thanks for the feedback, kind words and support, I take it you are the guy who was asking about surface technology,,, correct?





I played my first Frisbee game in 1972 ( we threw and skipped a yellow 6” diameter Frisbee ring at each other in front of hockey goals trying to score, each kid had a glove like a hockey goalie) and built my first Frisbee mold late in 1998.

Having no prior knowledge of molds, plastic or aerodynamics, it’s all been an “applied-science-adventure” that brings about new discoveries and ideas for new product development on a daily basis. It has been a long hard road of 15 hour work days and 60 plus hour weeks and I have few regrets!

Lucky for me,, I love what I do and the weeks go by at the blink of an eye. Whether its blending a few polymers for that right feel, shape and flight or hacking out honeysuckle and briars when working on a disc golf course or working with a new player who needs help with his form,,,,,I couldn’t ask for a better career.



Gateway disc sports has come along way over the years and we’re awfully proud of our accomplishments. When I say we, I’m speaking for all the people who have helped along the way as without the support, I’m not sure our doors would still be open.

I love engaging people and go out of my way to let customers know I am very approachable and will listen to suggestions and ideas on how we can help grow our company, the sport or improve their personal disc golf experience.

That being said if there is something you want to discuss or an idea that you have regarding discs or the game, feel free to email me or give me a call with your thoughts.



Btw,

I do have many more articles I should be publishing and just need to take the time to get them out of my head and on some paper. !

Thanks for the email, it is a reminder I need to get on this sooner than later!!!





Ps,

I attached a few articles you may or may not have read yet and our 2009 sales docs in case you know of any resellers who may be interested in carrying our discs. There is also a link to a few videos below that are entertaining!

WOW Almost 6 months just went by

Ok I"ve been REALLY slacking on the blogging.
We are getting ready to update our website and I need to start blogging again.
So much has happened already this year I'm not sure where to start.

Lets see,,,,,,, we have a few new discs the Warrior, Apache and Savage.
Ok I know what you"re thinking 2 of these are old discs, well they are actually old names.
The Warrior is a retooled Element X,,,, which has a more rounded nose, thinner flight plate with a new ergonomic grip radius where the rim meets the flight plate. This new Mid-Range is a very controllable slightly overstable disc that comes in both Sure Grip "S" plastic and our new "E" Evolution High Performance Polymer (HPP) polyurethane!.

The Apache and Savage are longer winged control drivers that fill in the gap between the Sabre and Illusion ( think beefier Assassin/Inferno type discs in wing length speed and glide. Right now the Savage is only available in E while the Apache comes in both E and S. The savage has a bit more low speed fade and both discs have a decent amount of resistance to turn and are great gliding discs.

Well thats about it for tonight,,, i'll try and come back here each day with news pictures and video.

see ya!!!!!!