ABOUT JULIANA KORVER
Juliana Korver: A Disc Golf Icon
Career Highlights
- 5x PDGA World Champion
- 4x WFDF World Flying Disc Overall World Champion
- 3x Double Disc Court World Champion
- 2x Freestyle Players Association World Champion
- Disc Golf Hall of Famer
- 2021 DGPT Rookie of the Year
- 2021 PDGA Senior Player of the Year
My Journey into Disc Golf
I discovered disc golf during my senior year of college in the fall of 1992. Three years later, in 1995, I won the PDGA Amateur World Championships and turned professional immediately after. At the time, I was a graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Computer Science, balancing my studies with playing as many tournaments as time and finances allowed.
In 1998, I made a concentrated effort to compete in events with the strongest women’s fields, winning my first Professional Women’s World Title that year. By 1999, I played 31 PDGA-sanctioned events, winning all but one. The following year, I fully committed to the tour, quitting my job, selling my house, and dedicating myself to professional disc golf until 2004.
A New Focus: Running and Programming
By 2004, I was ready to explore new challenges. I took up running, competing in 13 marathons and several ultra-marathons. My best performance came in 2011 at the Seattle Rock 'n Roll Marathon, where I qualified for the Boston Marathon. Alongside running, I embraced a fulfilling career in programming.
Rekindling My Passion for Flying Disc Sports
In late 2013, I rediscovered Flying Disc Overall events, starting with a Double Disc Court (DDC) tournament in Mesa, AZ. By 2014, I began training for the WFDF Flying Disc Overall World Championships, which feature seven disc disciplines, including accuracy, distance, DDC, freestyle, and disc golf.
During this time, my primary focus shifted to DDC and freestyle, as these disciplines require both skill and partnership. While disc golf remained part of my journey, it took a backseat to my pursuit of overall excellence.
Return to Disc Golf: A New Chapter
In 2021, I decided to play a few disc golf events to reconnect with the community. Unexpectedly, I rediscovered my passion for the sport. The Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) had transformed the professional scene, creating a vibrant touring community. At 50 years old, I realized it was now or never to return to the professional circuit.
Overcoming Challenges in 2022
The 2022 season presented unique challenges. After recovering from a broken throwing hand in late 2021, my husband Jim underwent a quadruple bypass surgery early in the year. Our delayed start to the DGPT season meant I couldn’t play a full slate of elite events. Despite these hurdles, I finished 26th in the DGPT standings, proud of my effort but determined to improve.
Looking Ahead
As I approach my 52nd birthday, I recognize the fleeting opportunity to compete at the highest level. My goal is to start the season strong, maintain intensity, and savor every moment on the course. Whether I achieve my competitive aspirations or not, I’m excited to be back on the road, pursuing my passion once again.