Which Pros Would You Most Want to Play With?

We all have our favorite pro players and probably a couple that we're not overly fond of, for one reason or another. It's hard to judge people that we've only seen via tournament coverage or social media, but that's exactly what we're gonna do today. I pulled up a list of the top 15 players from the 2020 Pro Tour and ranked them based on who I'd most want to play a casual round with. This is just my opinion, and I've obviously never met any of these guys, but hey, that's what the internet is all about. Here's the list we're working with:

Let's get to it...

15 - Nikko Locastro

The first time I ever watched Nikko play was during the 2016 USDGC final round (shoutout Jerm for taking home the title) and I immediately had a bad taste in my mouth for Locastro. I get that these pros have money and prestige on the line in big tournaments, but the way Nikko reacts to missed putts and spit-outs is reminiscent of a little kid. One clip in specific sticks in my mind whenever Nikko's name is brought up (skip to 10:15 in this video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb0iUFh9FJc

I've heard other pros talk about how hard he works and how determined he is, but he doesn't seem like the type of guy I'd want to hang out with. Sweet hair though...

14 - Kyle Klein

I would like to make a note here that there is a big gap between 15 and 14. The rest of these guys would likely all be a pretty good time, so I feel a little bad ranking some people this low, Kyle included. I've only gotten to see Klein play a handful of rounds, but he crushed it at Maple Hill this year and I think he'll only continue to improve as he gets more experience. I think it's the way he dresses that just makes me think he and I are probably just kinda different, so I don't think we'd end up as best friends after 18 holes.

13 - Emerson Keith

Emerson seems like a super nice dude. I'm sure he'd be extraordinarily polite and friendly, but I just don't see him being able to really crack jokes or be loose on the course. He'd be an awesome guy to play in a tournament with, but not gonna be the first person you call for a round with some beers at the local course.

12 - Adam Hammes

I don't know much about Hammes, but he seems like a pretty normal guy. I would be willing to bet if he's on more coverage this year I'll become a fan, but for now I wouldn't be confident putting him toward the top of this list.

11 - Ricky Wysocki

The way Ricky wears his hats has always bothered me just a tiny bit. I like Ricky a lot and I love watching him play, but those hats just do something to me subconsciously and I think there's a chance we wouldn't get along. I would definitely try to squeeze all the advice I could out of him because he is probably the second (?) most talented players out there right now. What's funny, though, is I hate when Ricky doesn't wear a hat during a tournament, it just doesn't feel right. It's a strange conundrum in my head.

10 - Chris Dickerson

The robot chicken is one of my favorite players to watch and I've even tried to emulate his step-putt a couple times (unsuccessfully obviously), but I think he's just a quiet, shy guy who wouldn't be too interested in playing a round with someone who doesn't crush the game as much as he does. So, while I'd jump at the chance to have him teach me how to play, he probably isn't a guy I'd be begging to play a round with.

9 - James Conrad

Arguably the best hair in pro disc golf (but that's a conversation for another blog...). I think James would be a fun guy to play with and he seems pretty chill and easygoing. He's another guy who I'd guess is on the quieter side, so I'm not gonna put him at the TOP of my list, but I think he'd be a lot of fun to meet and watch throw some plastic (although who knows what brand it'll be??).

8 - Eagle McMahon

If I ever got the chance to play with Eagle I would not stop asking him how the hell he throws so far, especially with his forehand. It's disgusting. He also seems like a friendly dude and I actually admire the effort he puts into being a social media/YouTube presence and representing Discmania. I'm not sure he and I would be great friends, but the round would be enjoyable without a doubt.

7 - Garrett Gurthie

Even though I don't know a ton about GG, he seems like an absolute delight. Every time other pros talk about him they sing his praise and I think he'd be a funny dude who doesn't get frustrated by bad disc golf. I could totally see him crushing some beers during practice rounds.

6 - Calvin Heimburg

Everyone says Calvin is a really quiet, emotionless guy, but I guarantee he has a great sense of humor. Those shades (you know the ones) are only worn by a guy who not only crushes drives, but has a great stash of memes ready to be shared at any moment. He might take a little time to really warm up to someone new, but I'm sure he'd have some dry, sarcastic jokes flying by the back 9.

5 - Philo Brathwaite

I don't know how much more there is to say than this: Philo seems like the swaggiest, chillest dude in disc golf. He'd be one of those guys who you feel like you're best friends with after meeting him and I'm sure he's a great storyteller.

4 - Simon Lizotte

There are a lot of guys who seem nice that play disc golf, but Simon has this teddy bear personality that I'm sure makes him an awesome guy to be around. He also has huge power and it would be so cool to see him throw massive hyzers over every tree in sight. He just always seems to be smiling and I imagine the same can be said for everyone around him.

3 - Paul McBeth

How could you not have McBeth in the top 3? He's the best player in the world (probably ever) and, I think, he actually seems like a cool guy. I was never really sure what to think of his personality or off-course personality, but his interview on Runnin' It With Nate Sexton showed his looser side and we got to hear some stories of he and Nate back in the Innova days just having fun driving around the country. Playing with Paul would be a story you could tell to disc golfers for the rest of your life.

2 - Kevin Jones

Kevin seems like a really fun guy. He's one of the few pros who actually seems like he's having fun during tournaments and I've even heard commentators mention the fact that he really prefers a more casual atmosphere while playing, even when big money is on the line. He just seems very normal and funny, so I think he'd be one of the best cardmates I could imagine.

1 - Paul Ulibarri

Uli has a great sense of humor, plays solid disc golf, and likes to bust balls while practicing. We've been fortunate enough to see some practice rounds of his with Jerm this year and those videos were some of the ones I most looked forward to. I think Nate Sexton, Jeremy Koling, and Uli all fall into my top spot, but Uli was the only one of the three to be ranked in the top 15 for the 2020 season. I think he'd give good advice (shoutout Down the Fairway) but also be really good about laughing at himself as well as all my bad shots. I will now wait for Uli to DM to play a round with him...

Let me know which pros are at the top of your list or if you have been lucky enough to play with any of the guys on my list! Follow and interact with me on Twitter @DgOverturned.