Zoe Andyke: 2018 EDGE/PDGA Educational Award Winner!

If you've been around disc golf for a while, there's a good chance that you've met Zoe Andyke. Of the people that have met Zoe, approximately 100% of them think she is just the best, and all of them are correct. Zoe has an infectious energy and a genuine love for teaching and growing disc golf, so it's no surprise that she was awarded the 2018 EDGE/PDGA Educational Award. Zoe and Dustin Keegan have been hard at work with Universal Play Disc Golf (abbreviated UPlayDG), and it has been incredible to see just how far their hard work is pushing the sport of disc golf.

Zoe has a background in teaching and has been working to teach disc golf since long before UPlayDG existed. The EDGE/PDGA Educational Award was one upon which Andyke set her sights long ago, but she admitted that receiving it for 2018 was quicker than she had anticipated. She was overjoyed at being selected for the award, saying, "Winning this award is by far my BIGGEST accomplishment in my entire disc golf career, and it's my favorite award that I've received. It signifies the community that I have dedicated my life to working hard for recognizes what I'm doing, and it also supports and encourages me to continue with my mission!"

Zoe has multiple victories throughout her PDGA career, but her passion for educating certainly stands out as her priority. One only needs to look at Andyke's schedule to understand exactly how important she believes teaching to be. She gave up the opportunity to play many of the top-tier events in 2019 in favor of teaching at new schools. About their work with UPlayDG, Andyke said, "It's important to the entire sport of disc golf! Bringing new people into our sport, teaching them how to play, and become better directly grows EVERY piece of the disc golf world, from pro all the way down."

Friends of Andyke refer to a speed at which Zoe functions as "Zoe-tron Mode", and that pace seems between absurd to nearly impossible to most. However, if you know her, you know that Andyke has no intention of slowing down. "My future plan for the organization is to continue making tidal waves of difference in the sport by educating hundreds of thousands more people to play and or get involved! [I would love] to win this award again and again, and finish my entire career with that as the focus!" Andyke exclaimed.

If you want to get involved in growing the sport at the youth level, you can visit UPlaydiscgolf.org. We are so proud of Zoe, Dustin, and everyone involved at Universal Play Disc Golf!

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The DD Women's Series - Part 4: Zoe's Method Of Reaching Peak Performance

The time, dedication, and persistence needed to become a top disc golf athlete really takes something, and we’ve seen that DD team member Zoe Andyke checks off all of those boxes and more. From learning about how she’s been involved in teaching women across the nation to understanding how her viewpoints on disc golf and life seamlessly intertwine, she’s an inspiring person to look up to no matter where you’re at in your game.

Zoe is a firm believer in taking good care of your body - in fact, the word “good” permeates her motto: “Look good, feel good, play good, be good.” When it comes to health and nutrition, she has her plan dialed in and has found a way to thrive both on and off tour. Let’s take a look at her guiding principles in this final installment of Zoe’s DD Women’s Series.

You Are What You Eat

You won’t catch Zoe with her hands in the cookie jar all too often, as she takes a bold stance on junk food: “I’m a firm believer that fake sugar and corn starches are ruining people’s lives and bodies. I’m at an absolute zero tolerance for fake sugar. I think that’s important for people who are athletic or not athletically focused, from cancer to general health, sugar shouldn’t be a part of your diet.”

When you think about what it takes to play tournaments weekend in and weekend out while competing against the best in the world, there’s really no room for foods that don’t serve your nutritional needs. Alongside her commitment to keeping the bad stuff out, Zoe focuses on filling her plate with dark greens and purples, and integrates fresh items into her salads, smoothies, and meals. Add in at least 70 ounces of water a day and she’s set!

Working It

We previously touched on Zoe’s athletic routine in Part 3 of this series, but it’s worth noting in a little more detail. Despite spending countless hours on the course each week, the disc golf Andyke plays doesn’t really count as exercise for her. “I think a lot of people use disc golf as their main form of basic exercise. I think that’s good and it’s one of the intended uses. At the level I’m playing, my cardio and practice putting/driving have to be separate than my playing on the course.”

With a commitment to get in some form of cardio at least 5 days per week, Zoe is able to keep her body in shape and can handle those days when she might have to play 36 holes on a Saturday.

We can’t forget about the human element here either, where one’s spirit also affects performance both on and off the course: “If I was as good at life as I am at golf, I’d be a professional at life. Breaking my golf game down to the absolute basics is the way that I’ve become so adept at some of the most mastered detailed skills.”

No matter what stage in life you’re at - a new disc golfer looking to learn the basics or you’re a touring pro who needs a little encouragement - the things we’ve learned from Zoe Andyke are applicable across the board. Thank you Zoe for being such an incredible ambassador for our sport!

The DD Women's Series - Part 3: Andyke's Secret To Staying Healthy On The Road

Whether you’re a touring pro who spends months away from home or you’re teaching disc golf clinics in your home state, or if you’re Zoe Andyke you do both, it can be a challenge to keep your mind and body ready to perform at all times. In this installment of our DD Women’s Series, we’re going to be let in on the secrets for success when it comes to staying fit, eating right, and how to balance the pressure of it all.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned so far from Zoe in our first two blog posts, it’s just how dedicated she is to growing disc golf. Her efforts to teach women and children across the nation no doubt take a toll from time to time, because after all, she’s only human. Let’s find out about Zoe’s perspective on maintaining your health.

Health Is Hard

There are no two ways about it - staying healthy is tough for anyone, and just because Zoe is a top-level athlete who travels each year, it doesn’t mean she’s above getting sick. Her mindset around the foods she eats and the exercise she gets in aside from disc golf is perhaps one of the more important facets of her overall success:

“It’s harder [when you’re on tour] to get into a healthy eating routine. [It’s] hard period whether it’s food or exercise just because a regular schedule doesn’t exist. You need to be flexible to change it or to give yourself the grace to put it to the next meal or save the activity for later. The way that you win or actually get something crossed off the list is not having negative pressure or feeling bad about not getting something done the way you wanted it.”

Does that mean you can make excuses left and right and put off your health for another day? No way! Andyke makes sure she eats right and engages in cardio five days a week regardless of her disc golf schedule.

A Positive Mindset

Anyone who has met Zoe can instantly see what a ray of sunshine she is. You’d be hard-pressed to see her in a bad mood and this positive energy carries over to her performance on the disc golf course. What’s her secret?

“Golf is life - life is golf. It helps me in a spiritual way of keeping the pressures light and positive and not having a negative reaction when things don’t go my way. It’s really important - every morning I say my 4 thank you’s before I even get out of bed. In my life routine, being gracious in the morning starts me off optimistic and ready for any opportunity. In golf, I try to bring that over into my game - trying to be thankful or point out what I liked about every shot.”

The aspect of having a strong mental game is so commonly talked about that sometimes as players we forget to focus on all of the ways we can be positive, both on and off the course. This element is a huge part of who Zoe is, not only as a professional disc golfer but as a friend and teacher.

Want to know more about how Andyke’s routines fit into the life of a touring pro? Check out our fourth and final part of this series to learn what Zoe eats, drinks, and how she sets herself up for success each tour season!

The DD Women's Series - Part 2: Where Zoe Spreads The Love To Disc Golfing Women

When you think of women who are making a difference in the sport of disc golf, several prominent names come to mind, including Zoe Andyke. In Part 1 of our DD Women’s Series, we discovered how Zoe got started teaching disc golf and how she’s been able to educate and empower women in the sport.

The truth of the matter is, Andyke is so involved in numerous groups and organizations across the US that we couldn’t fit it all into one blog post! Part 2 is here to further explore where Zoe has made an impact on the growth of women’s disc golf and what may be in store for the future!

Born To Teach

Even before Zoe was laser-focused on teaching women about the sport of disc golf, she found that her own growth as a player naturally drew attention from others. “It started happening early in my professional career where amateur women wanted help with attitude, with sportsmanlike conduct, and just [asking to be] educated about the real rules of the game,” she said. Zoe found that this attraction to helping other ladies in the sport naturally unfolded into some of the activities she’s been hosting for many years.

One such instance is the putting leagues that she runs in Oregon. While they aren’t dedicated to women only, she consistently sees between 5 and 15 women each week. 2018 marks her fifth season of running multiple leagues in both Albany and Eugene, OR along with the help of her touring partner and fellow DD team member Dustin Keegan.

Creating Effective Clinics

The ability to be a touring player not only serves Zoe well regarding her own personal game, but it allows her the chance to teach other women outside of Oregon. This year marks her sixth annual visit to the Daisy Chains Women’s Global Event held in Watsonville, CA. Taking place the weekend before the Masters Cup, it fits in nicely with her schedule and allows her the chance to host a women’s clinic.

“Each year I change up who my co-clinicians are for the clinic, and this year Dustin and I are on Team Disc Golf Strong. I’m one-upping my game, and Seth [Munsey] is going to come and will do a demonstration of our standard performance,” Andyke said excitedly. The Daisy Chains group of ladies are known for being incredibly active in the sport and it’s a natural fit for Zoe to be involved.

She’s also planning on executing her 4th annual clinic just before the Beaver State Fling in June. Working with the Women of DGOD in Portland, she’s had over 70 women attend in past years. “One of the best ways I can locally service players is through my national outreach and friendships in the pro division. I learned so quickly and got so good due to watching others that were better than me, so for me to bring the highest level of female disc golf to the ladies of Oregon is one of my biggest gifts,” Zoe said.

It sounds like Andyke has some exciting events on the horizon outside of her standard touring schedule, so be sure to attend one of her clinics if you’re in the area. Check back with us for Part 3 of this series, where we explore some of the mind-body elements that have helped Zoe to find success.

The DD Women's Series - Part 1: How Zoe Andyke Promotes Women's Disc Golf

Take one look at Zoe Andyke and you’d think disc golf was in her blood. She’s earned 27 career wins to date and tours the country spreading her enthusiasm about the sport while performing at an impressive level. When she’s not on the road, she’s working on the non-profit she founded, Universal Play Disc Golf, which teaches school-aged children the essential skills needed to play disc golf.

But even beyond this long list of accomplishments, Andyke is well-known for her efforts in promoting disc golf to women. Let’s take a brief look at how she’s made an impact for women across the country.

In A State Far, Far Away....

A native Oregonian with a passion for physical education, Zoe didn’t necessarily have her sights set on teaching women disc golf across the country when she first started out. Working with teen girls at a boarding school, however, gave her insight into how she could relate the knowledge she has to a group of women:

“It was a treatment based academy, so not only did I have control of their PE curriculum, but I had to fill their weekend and evening time with outdoor activities and education. We completed wilderness survival, built shelters outdoors, and on the side, I was an Oregon disc golfer on the weekends,” said Andyke.

Eventually, she moved to Alaska to pursue other opportunities, but disc golf came with her. Just before leaving in 2011, she taught her first women’s clinic. With 32 ladies in attendance in Anchorage, she told the group that she didn’t know where her teaching was going, but she knew she was on to something good.

Getting Involved Everywhere

When you talk to Zoe about all the places she’s involved in teaching disc golf to women, it can make your head spin. 2013 saw the development of Portland-based club Women of Disc Golf or Die (Women of DGOD), and together with the founders Zoe offered merchandise, training, and offered to be the club pro. During that year she also went on tour and continued to teach. “At each stop, I wanted to teach a clinic during the event and had about a 70% success rate with that. They were donation based and I was always advertising and aiming at women,” Andyke explained.

Continuing her momentum, she partnered with Huk Lab the following year to create Flight School. The idea took off with the intention of hosting women-only disc golf classes, and as Zoe continued to see success the branding also took off with Nate Sexton providing a male-oriented version. From joining clubs across the nation to becoming involved in classes held during well-known tournaments, Zoe is a teaching force to be reckoned with!

She has a huge mission on her mind, explaining: “The 92% men to 8% female PDGA stats seem to stay stagnant, even with women’s tournaments popping up everywhere. When you look at the rate of the men’s growth - we just can’t keep up with that.” Yet with Zoe’s skills and natural talent for teaching, she’s hoping to change that.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our DD Women’s Series where we explore more about how Zoe is impacting the sport of disc golf and encouraging women worldwide.