2010 Topps Allen & Ginter Interview
Avery Jenkins
World Champion Disc Golfer
www.AveryJenkins7495.com
2010 Allen & Ginter Cards:
#73 Avery Jenkins Base Card
Framed Autograph #AGA-AJE Avery Jenkins
Framed Relic #AJ Avery Jenkins
Sports Card Radio To those who are unfamiliar with disc golf, what is it exactly?
Avery Jenkins
Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc, or Frisbee®. The sport was formalized in the 1970’s, and shares with “ball golf” the object of completing each hole in the fewest number of strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest number of throws). A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target which is the “hole”. the hole can be one of a number of disc golf targets; the most common is called a Pole Hole® an elevated metal basket. As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed. The trees, shrubs, and terrain changes located in and around the fairways provide challenging obstacles for the golfer. Finally, the “putt” lands in the basket and the hole is completed. Disc golf shares the same joys and frustrations of traditional golf, whether it’s sinking a long putt or hitting a tree halfway down the fairway. There are few differences, though. Disc golf rarely requires a greens fee, you probably won’t need to rent a cart, and you never get stuck with a bad “tee time.” It is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages, male and female, regardless of economic status.
Sports Card Radio How & When did you become involved in the sport of Disc Golf?
Avery Jenkins
Growing up in Hinckley, Ohio, I have been around disc golf my entire life. My mother, Sharon, has won 3 World Championships (’92, ’94 and ’98) and my father, Leroy, has won many NT Titles and is credited with instilling in me the love for the game. My sister, Valarie, is also a touring professional disc golfer and is currently the 3X Women’s World Champion (’07, ’08 and ‘09).
After throwing my first disc at the young age of 7, I began playing disc golf recreationally and in tournaments sporadically as a kid. I first joined the PDGA in 1992 as a Christmas gift from my parents, but it was not until after I graduated from high school that I developed an intense passion for the sport and set out to build my life around it.
Sports Card Radio How would a person interested in disc golf get involved in the sport?
Avery Jenkins
Disc golf can be played from school age to old age, making it one of the greatest lifetime fitness sports available. Specially-abled and disabled participate, giving them the opportunity to take part in a mainstream activity. Because disc golf is so easy to learn, no one is excluded. Players merely match their pace to their capabilities, and proceed from there. The Professional Disc Golf Association, with a member base of 40,000+, is the governing body for the sport and sanctions competitive events for men and women of every skill level from novice to professional. Permanent disc golf courses are found in countries worldwide.
The ongoing fitness boom finds more and more people taking up recreational activities in an effort to improve health and quality of life. Disc golf provides upper and lower body conditioning, aerobic exercise, and promotes a combination of physical and mental abilities that allow very little risk of physical injury. Concentration skills increase by mastering shots and negotiating obstacles. Players of limited fitness levels can start slowly and gradually increase their level of play as fitness improves. Scheduling is also flexible; a round takes one to two hours, and may be played alone, eliminating the difficulty of scheduling tee times. And as in traditional golf, disc golfers find themselves “hooked;” increasing the likelihood of frequent participation. Disc golf offers year-round fitness, even in rain or snow. Perhaps the greatest attribute of the sport is the expense – or rather, the lack of it. A professional quality disc costs less than $15, and it only takes one for basic play.
Sports Card Radio How did you find out that Topps wanted you to sign cards in the 2010 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball Set – and what was that like?
Avery Jenkins
I was contacted over this past Winter by a Sports Marketing Company about the opportunity to have a Card included in the 2010 Allen & Ginter Sportscard set. I was really excited to finally have my own Topps Rookie card so I sent them several photos to choose from in order to find the best picture to fit such a Sportscard.
It was a very memorable experience where I felt like a true sports celebrity going to a Topps Autograph Signing at World Disc Sports – Disc Golf Pro Shop in San Jose, CA. I met a Topps representative at the Pro Shop that brought 200+ Mini Cards for me to autograph and then have them sent back to Topps to be inserted into framed cards. Also local players from the San Jose area came to be a part of the event along with a videographer to document the occasion. It took me about 45 minutes to sign the Topps cards with a few breaks to give my hand a rest before cramping up. All in all it was a great experience.
I think that it is pretty incredible to have my own personal Sportscard. Its a dream to have an actual Topps Card and to be included in the 2010 Allen & Ginter set along with all of the Major Baseball Stars and other World Champions of various sports. It’s a true honor.
Sports Card Radio Have you ever collected Sports Cards in the past? And have you picked up any copies of the cards you signed this year?
Avery Jenkins
I collected sportscards when I was younger and it all started when my Uncle gave me his sportscard collection from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. I collected a lot of Baseball, Basketball and Football Cards from the late 80’s and early 90’s and still have all of my cards stored at my parents house in Ohio.
I have been collecting several of my cards ever since their release in early July, trying to acquire one of each version of the cards produced. So far I collected many of my Common/Base, Mini, Disc Relic, Autographed, Silk and a few of the Printing Plate Cards. But I am always trying to find more of my cards when possible for my personal collection.
Please contact me at Aviar7495@aol.com if you have connections to any of these Topps Avery Jenkins cards.
