Calvin Heimburg, the 2023 DGPT MPO Player of the Year, was in Pensacola, Florida, when he found out about his new title, doing a meet and greet and visiting friends. He expressed his happiness about being voted Player of the Year by his peers and the media. We got the exclusive chance to ask him a few questions about his career, game planning, and future. Let’s dive in!
When a season ends, the man usually takes it slow and tries to get disc golf out of his mind. But as the new year approaches, training comes into the picture again – he tries to get out to his backyard to putt for around an hour a day and also gets out on the course for a round or two each day.
In his 2024 schedule, Calvin is most excited to play Maple Hill as it’s his favorite course on tour for its variety of wooded and open shots and the possibility to use his favorite discs, his fairway drivers. Heimburg is also looking forward to participating in some of the European events for the excitement of playing new courses after playing the same ones in America for years.
Calvin at the MVP Open at Maple Hill. Kevin Huver, DGPT
When asked about which courses he finds the most challenging, he mentions wooded ones due to the unpredictability they present. “You can go into a wooded course with a game plan, but you're always going to play a different round. You're always going to get a slightly different kick. You're always going to have to scramble. So that's what makes them difficult, is the fact that you can't really practice for every situation."
But what’s Heimburg’s game plan when playing a course for the first time? Well, he emphasized the importance of approaching each hole individually and adjusting strategies based on initial throws. “Maybe your first thought and throw works perfectly, but a lot of times it doesn't. You make judgments off of that first throw - maybe you need to throw a faster, maybe you need to throw a slower disc. You get your baseline on your first throw and then you adjust off of that. If there's something that's bothering you, you play the hole and maybe you go pick up your discs and you go back and you throw it again.” For him, it’s important to make sure you’re comfortable with each shot and being able to see yourself throwing every shot the course requires.
Calvin at theTour Championships. Kevin Huver, DGPT
Calvin’s been touring for over 5 years now. When asked about his standout memories from the time, he has a few in mind. He made the Pro Tour championships with only playing three events and knew going into the last one, which was at Maple Hill that he needed to be somewhere in the top five to qualify. Well, he went out there and got third at Maple Hill, and it was one of those moments where he proved to himself that he puts his mind to it, he can do it. His most memorable win was his first win the following year in Las Vegas. He had played an amazing three rounds, but blew up in the front 9 of the last round, losing 5-6 strokes. Luckily, he was able to turn it around, birdieing 8 out of the 9 last holes and came away with a sweet win. He admits that most of his wins have been close and therefore memorable.
Calvin’s also had a fair share of throw-ins and aces. When asked, he brings out the most outstanding ones, when he went 7 under in 5 holes at DGLO and getting the win from the chase card. The American admits that it’s probably something he will never achieve again.
Calvin Heimburg at the PDGA Pro Worlds, Kevin Huver, DGPT
He has played with a fair share of his previous idols in his career and he praises the veterans on tour, naming Paul McBeth, Ricky Wysocki, and James Conrad, for their lasting commitment to the sport and consistent high-level performances. During the last few years of his career, he’s also noticed a surge in the amount of fans and people out at all of the events and people recognizing him in his everyday life. He’s not sure if he personally has contributed to the growth of the sport but does praise the work done at grassroots level by initiatives and organizations like Rick's Foundation and EDGE in fostering the sport's growth.
But what does the man eat to play like that? Well, his choice depends on the tee-off time. He enjoys a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, and hash browns when teeing off later, but opts for a lighter meal of a granola bar and a banana when teeing off early to avoid feeling too full during rounds.
Calvin Heimburg at the Tour Championships, Kevin Huver, DGPT
And if he had to choose a tee-off song? Well, nothing can beat Destiny's Child's "Say My Name" for its upbeat and motivating vibe, pumping him up before rounds.
His top three discs? Toro, Vela, and Destroyer, bringing out that Destroyer has to be the best distance driver ever made. Oh, and he calls his peach-colored midrange Peaches and his Firebird Clear Boy. Adorable!
Well, if you’re as excited to see Calvin in Europe as we are, get yourself tickets to the European Disc Golf Festival and see you in Tallinn in July!