Durango, CO
PDGA #1471

With a nickname like “The FrizWiz” you are bound to have a few good stories to tell. Talk to me first about where the nickname came from.

My ‘aka’ “TheFrizWiz” was originally tagged as ‘The FrizWiz of Waikiki’ way back in 1981, (First year in The World FRISBEE Disc Championships @ The Rose Bowl).

The ‘1′ and only Original FrizWhiz, John Kirkland contains the H in Whiz. The real reason for “TheFrizWiz” was to shorten my Ebay ID for the practical reason.As far as I’m concerned, I will always be “TheFrizWiz of Waikiki” as this is where it all started for me competitively. Tropical Jam in 1979 was my first competition…I’ve been hooked ever since. So there’s your Frisbee trivia for the day.

How long have you been collecting flying discs?

I have been collecting Frisbee discs since 1977. As soon as we got home from The Rose Bowl…that same day I began to learn ‘The Nail Delay’, and would design my first disc golf course in Canoga Park, CA. I will never forget that experience. On a Saturday morning one day in late August, a group of friends were on our way to the WORLD FRISBEE DISC CHAMPIONSHIPS @ The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. The rest is history. When we arrived at the gate, not only were we not charged admission, they gave every spectator that walked through the gates (some 50,000) a Frisbee Fastback with the World Championship - Rose Bowl logo on it.

Do you collect lids or just golf discs?

Over the years, I have collected all different types of Frisbee discs. As an early overall competitor (specializing in Freestyle, Accuracy & Golf) I collected many 80 molds as well as many of the National Series sets starting in 1978. My favorite would have to be the 1977 Worlds set containing the 40 & 50 mold…again because of my introduction to the sport. All I can say about that day is the immediate effect it had on my future. By the end of the day, I had already made a decision, that although I had (as well as all my friends) a super fun time as a spectator, I really wanted to become a World Class Player & be in the Worlds @ The Rose Bowl as a Competitor. That would come to fruition 4 years later in 1981. All I can remember is being in The Rose Bowl, down on the field. I remember looking up into the stands, some 50,000 people all cheering, & saying to myself well here you are…Just where I wanted to be….With these guys, as one of them…The camaraderie is what stood out above even all the talent on that field.
That is one of the things I enjoy most about our sport today. Needless to say, is was quite a wonderful experience, something I will cherish forever.

What other types of things do you collect?

At this time, I enjoy collecting several different things. My background is strongly sports related, so sports collectibles have played a big role both as investment as well as business for me. I also collect & deal in the expensive / ultra rare sipping Tequilas of the world. Golf discs would have to be my main collector item. The market demand has increased dramatically with time & the inception of Ebay. In reality, Ebay allowed me to really get into the Buying, Selling & Trading of discs nationwide on a much grander scale starting back in 2000. Lastly, & not to sound braggish (not my style), I did recently collect my 30th Hole In One, in what is my 30th year celebration in the sport, in the 50th year of Anniversary of the Wham-O Frisbee®. Cool.

Can you explain the passion you have for collecting in general? What really excites you?

The passion for collecting includes not only acquiring that Ultra rare find, but I just enjoy the trading process and learning what your trading partner(s) may desire; in being able to fulfill their want or desire for a specific item of equal value. I trade MINT for Mint only.

What is your most prized collectable at this time?

Wow, What is my most prized collectible right now ? Well if that includes anything, I would have to say The 2006 997S X-51 Club Coupe #27/50. As for my most prized piece of plastic, now that will be kind of tough to answer…probably one that was given to me by The Champ, Ken Climo. It is a Special InnColor disc showing Ken following through on a drive with that signature Climo form we all know & love. Maybe only 10-12 of these were made to date & of course it is autographed. I was offered $400.00 for that disc a couple years ago & declined it. The other disc I cherish is my 2001 Ghost Stamped USDGCE ROC. To many to list other than
those two.

EBay has allowed the golf disc market in particular to just explode. Are there any other markets you’ve seen come alive as a result of this online market place?

Great question… Ebay & the internet in general, simply changed (for the better) the way people do business today. It enabled the masses an additional vehicle for conducting business whether as a Seller OR as a Buyer of just about anything imaginable one desires.

I am able to sit here in my office up in the mountains, buying, selling & trading discs all over the world; something that could not do without this type of marketplace. Ebay can also be used for purposes of FUNdraising for great causes, of which I am all about. Look at the auctions now being run by the DARRELL LYNN FUND RAISER STORE & Uncle Bob PDGA #3230. A fine effort to raise funds for one of our family members needing assistance. Also, please look at my current involvement with the upcoming PRO WORLDS FUNdraiser.
It is just awesome.

What do think is the biggest mistake people make on eBay?

The biggest mistake people make on Ebay is kind of a trade secret which I shall share. Prospective buyers of many different items will bid up items throughout the auction process. They are actually raising the price they may end up paying by doing it that way. The real experienced ebuyer will wait until the final minute/ seconds to put in their bid. This strategy will work to his/her benefit in the saving of dollars most of the time on the final purchase price.

The other important key to Ebay is simple *communication* & respect for one another. I cannot emphasize the importance with this one. “TheFrizWiz” has been on Ebay since November 2000 with an impeccable feedback rating of 760 ~ 100% Positive as both Buyer & Seller. Ebay does not give you that. You must earn it. I am very proud of that & have worked diligently to attain & retain this type of stature on The Bay. Open communication with both buyers & sellers has definitely had it’s place in enabling me to accomplish this.

Are you surprised that golf discs are selling for as much as they are these days?

I’m not really surprised. First, we all realize Disc Golf has been & is currently experiencing phenomenal growth. Certainly most of you are aware of discgolf.com. Marty Hapner has done a superlative job here & the result is evident when visiting that website. As stated on the homepage, there has been an astounding 20,848,904 visitors since January 2004, with 10,432 registered users. Everyday his website has recent positive news happenings with disc golf nationwide. DiscLife.com, PDGA.com, Timmy Gills DiscGolfTV, discgolf radio, so on & so forth are adding fuel to the fire.

Also, It is great to see people laying out big bucks to acquire the Ultra Rare golf discs & rare Frisbees of decades back. It is a strong indicator that this family of Frisbee disc friends are not just (as often labeled) just some hippies throwing Frisbees on the beach. Hey…wake up world…these are professional athletes that have dedicated their lives to this sport, just as any other Professional. Like the PGA commercials, These guys are good, well hey….The PDGA & family within feel…These guys are GREAT!
Basically, we all work to have the ability to buy them if we want to, when we want to, regardless of price.

Do you think the top end disc price will continue to escalate?

My feeling is that they will on the real Blue Chip type examples. Heck even today, some seven years after my 1st Ebay sale, you see newbies everyday coming on to ebay to buy things. Golf Discs & rare historic flying discs are HOT & will stay that way going forward. Frisbee discs of yester year, Pie Pans, Pluto Platters, & more. Look at San Marino ROCS, Ontario’s. Look at CE Valkyries, the early golf discs given to us by our Sports father Steady #001 ED. Many of Ken Climo’s discs are bringing a pretty dollar. Certainly, your ZONEDRIVEN, USDGC ROCS have become some of the most desired, sought after golf discs of any in existence. Its ALL good ! The buyers are out there waiting to spend big bucks on specific items of rarity. Demand is way higher than supply & that is good as it keeps things interesting.

Any advice for someone looking to become a serious golf disc collector?

Find out who are the most knowledgeable people out there & ask them questions. I receive questions every week on everything from disc values, to the actual proper grading of specific discs, to old Frisbees, and I am more than happy to assist. Another piece of advice would be to always buy the ‘highest condition’ you can find or afford, as they will always hold their value and most likely will appreciate over time.