VORTICA TEAM MEMBERS & ASSOCIATES FOR 2024
For the seventh year, Vortica is pleased and proud to announce our sponsored team members and associates for 2023-24. It features some new and some familiar faces. We were very happy with our picks from '22-'23 and we congratulate the Vortica crew on a job well done!
You can support your favourite Vortica Team member or Associate by using their 10% discount code when making purchases at Vortica. Their discount code is valid for all products including Discmate portable baskets, backpacks, as well as all stocked discs.
VORTICA TEAM
VORTICA ASSOCIATES
VORTICA TEAM
SIOLEI TU'ITUFU
Originally from Tonga, Sioeli, is a serious disc golfer, with three Tour wins so far, and plenty more to come! This is his third year on the team, and we love his passion, his dedication, his ideas, and his big arm.
Sioeli grows hydroponic basil, and salad greens in Katikati, and still finds time to be consumed by disc golf, and is also sponsored by RPM discs.
Siolei says: "My favourite things are meeting new people and making great friends. Competing and smashing my two older brothers Rob & Nisse. Being a part of the Vortica disc golf family and growing the sport alongside amazing people."
JASPER VAN DER MEER
Originally from the Netherlands, but now an Otautahi/Christchurch native, Jasper is another serious contender in 2022. Having claimed the top bag tag several times, and taking his first two C-Tier MPO victories in late 2021, he is determined to take NZDG Tour wins in 2022.
Jasper says: "Kia Ora Team, I am proud to be a new team member of Vortica. I've been playing disc golf ever since my local course was installed (Queenspark DGC), which is about 4 years now. My most-played course is Brooker Ave DGC.
I'm a fan of many discs but my trusty Destroyers would be my favourite. The part of my game that I pride myself on is staying consistent and something I want to improve this season is staying mentally tough. This year I'll play 5 or 6 events and see where I finish up in the NZ standings. I also want to win an NZDG Tour Event after winning two non-Tour C-Tier events events in 2021."
RYAN CAMBRIDGE
A Wanaka resident, Ryan has been playing for X years, and has been working hard on the Confluence course, preparing it for play. He is know for his white patch of hair, his infectious smile, and his relentlessly optimistic outlook. Ryan is another serious disc golfer, who works hard and plays hard.
JASPER VAN DER MEER
COOPER SOLLIS
Cooper is an Aussie import, and a welcome one! Living in Wanaka, he is heavily involved in the local club, and in putting in some serious hours into the newly opened Confluence
DGC. Often assisting Vortica's operations and using his PDGA Rules Official's hat, Cooper is a hard- working team member, an outstanding barista, and a solid bloke!
Cooper says: "Playing since 2018 I have made many lifelong friends, started a disc collection, put hundreds of hours into designing, clearing and installing a course and I'm a DGW board member. I think I'm in love.
I'm still working hard on my forehands. They have changed my short game for the better. My goal for each tournament is finishing in the top 10. This is getting harder and harder as the talent out there is phenomenal. Like all of us, I'd like to become a more consistent disc golfer. The result doesn't matter, I would like to be in a positive headspace, relaxed and enjoying myself. I practice regularly, so the rest will come.
JEREMY BROKENSHIRE
Another Otautahian, Jeremy is a highly motivated player and contributor to disc golf working hard on installing and maintaining the Ascot DGC's hardware, as well as working hard on his own game.
Jeremy's sunny nature, and huge smile make him a popular figure, now in his second season with Vortica.
Jeremy says: "I have been taking Disc Golf seriously for around 2.5 years once
I realised my own potential and I'm excited by the growth of the sport. My favourite course is the Green Belt course in Twizel and my favourite temporary course was the pop-up course at Charteris Bay Golf Club. I love the combination of playing on manicured fairways with beautiful views, gnarly rough and elevation on a Ball Golf Course.The Axiom Neutron Envy would have to be my favourite disc - a reliable slightly over-stable approach putter. I'm stoked to renew my sponsorship with Vortica and my goal this year is to be 950-rated. I hope to see you out on the course :)"
JARRAD NEWTON
Another fine Aussie-import living in the "Far North", Jarrad has shown plenty of skill, determination and lots of potential.
Jarrad's smiling face is a feature you'll come to know well as he's touring hard in 2022.
Jarrad says: "I first started playing disc golf in 2016. I started as an ultimate frisbee player in Australia, but soon switched to disc golf in 2017 after watching the Australian open in Perth. Paul McBeth drained a 75 meter upshot with his nova on hole 16 for birdie with OB behind. This moment was electrifying for me and made me realise this was my sport, and I have never looked back.
I'm an MA1 player with aspirations of an MA1 title and then moving to MPO. My game strength is really as an all rounder, and my forehand is very consistent for up shots and shorter technical drives. I throw a mixed bag of Innova, latitude 64, RPM and Prodigy. Innova Wraith is my favourite high-speed driver with the Westside Harp and Prodigy A3 as my up shot and control driver."
DOM HAYDEN
An ex-pat and long-term Wanakan, Dom is now in his 10th year playing, and his fourth year on the Vortica team, and his 13 PDGA victories demonstrate Dom's strong game in the Masters division despite being over 50.
Dom says: "This year I'm working on staying strong and flexible with yoga and deep tissue massages. Maintaining distance with drivers, improve C2 putting and implementing more back hand shots for approaches inside 50m. My favourite 9 hole is The Confluence, 18 hole is Bella Rahka. Both challenging! My goals for 2022 are to get and maintain a 950 rating, and to stay competitive in the Masters division and take the 2022 Masters Tour title."
LANCE EASSON
Lance says: "I started playing in 2022 as rehab for my shoulder from a previous sport and hanging out with my friends that slowly led into a bag with a few discs then a few more and then the decision to play in a tournament at my home town Dunedin.
It was the Mid Winter Classic series and I went in not knowing too much but during the tournament everyone was very encouraging and I was given some great advice.
Thus began my full-on addiction, and I started entering tournaments out of town and now I just can’t stop! The best part of disc golf for me, is the people the friendships I’ve made that I know will last a life time."
VORTICA ASSOCIATES
In 2022 we're introducing a new category of players and people: our associates. These are gentle people we have great respect for, and who work hard for disc golf without any outside encouragement at all.
BRYN HILL
Is a resident of Otautahi/Christchurch, and a founding member of Otautahi Bag Tags. In 2021 he was a valued member of the Vortica Team but in 2022 he is taking a step back and concentrating on things other than tournaments results.
Bryn says: "I've been a part of the NZ Disc Golf scene for just over three years, and playing competitively for just over a year. I co-organise and run the Otautahi Bag Tag project with a few like-minded individuals from Canterbury. My favourite course in NZ is the hidden gem that is Queenspark Reserve in Christchurch. My favourite disc is the XT Nova, for its reliability and control. I am a long-drive enthusiast and proud member of Team Vortica!"
PATARIKI CAFFEL
Hails from the East of Otautahi, and works with children and young adults at VOYCE Whakarongo Mai. Pātariki is a fanatical proponent and promoter of disc golf to anyone who will listen, but especially kids. He has given away so many discs
he is now specially supplied by RPM!
Pātariki is the driving force behind the funding and installation of a newly designed Rawhiti Domain DGC in New Brighton.
Paddy Says: "Kia ora, I’m known as Pātariki aka Putteriki. I’ve been a part of the disc golf scene here in Ōtautahi for one and a half years now. My favourite course is a local gem: Brooker Ave. Disc golf is growing rapidly and my goal is for all Whānau in my community to have a decent set of discs to play casually, or be the next up and coming pros. I use disc golf as a tool in my mahi as a youth worker here in the eastern suburbs, and it’s a great way to get youth and their Whānau doing a fun active sport right here in their community. I’m looking forward to what 2024 has installed for this great sport and the community."
JOSH MASON
Josh has been a friend of Vortica since he was 12 years old, when he started playing at Jellie Park back in the day when the baskets were brand new. We're extremely happy to have watched him mature and his game to develop.
Josh Says: "G’day, I have been playing disc golf for 7 years now and have played most of the courses around the South Island. Me and my family found disc golf in Queenstown at the start of 2017. I was just 12 years old at the time. I didn’t know what I was doing or what this thing was but I did enjoy playing with my $2 Warehouse frisbee.
It has been a few years now and I still love playing this great sport and the amount of growth we have seen in not just Christchurch but in the country as a whole has been awesome to see. I am looking forward to what the future holds for both me and disc golf in New Zealand!"
JOSH MASON
Josh has been a friend of Vortica since he was 12 years old, when he started playing at Jellie Park back in the day when the baskets were brand new. We're extremely happy to have watched him mature and his game to develop.
Josh Says: "G’day, I have been playing disc golf for 7 years now and have played most of the courses around the South Island. Me and my family found disc golf in Queenstown at the start of 2017. I was just 12 years old at the time. I didn’t know what I was doing or what this thing was but I did enjoy playing with my $2 Warehouse frisbee.
It has been a few years now and I still love playing this great sport and the amount of growth we have seen in not just Christchurch but in the country as a whole has been awesome to see. I am looking forward to what the future holds for both me and disc golf in New Zealand!"
SARAH WADSWORTH
We're very proud to have 2x World Junior Disc Golf Champion, and double world distance record holder - Sarah, and her Dad Paul as associates. We could never afford to sponsor her, and even flat out rejected the idea when Chris first recognised Sarah's talent and ability, when he gave Sarah her first discs, and a small bag as encouragement to continue with disc golf.
The secret to Sarah's amazing disc golfing ability is Paul - who for many years was top flight coach for women's shotput and javelin in Australia. His incredible depth of athletic knowledge for chucking things, plus his thirst to learn about disc golf, and his love for his daughter all combine to form what Chris describes as "The most exciting disc golfer in the world today".
Sarah is a true Phenom, who recently added "highest PDGA rated 9-year-old of all time" to her already impressive list accolades. Also, "Youngest double world champion in New Zealand history." Both Sarah and Paul are very involved in promoting disc golf for kids, and Vortica support their efforts wherever possible, and we frequently work together.
If you ever need some World Champ Love on your wall, or in your bag, we can arrange for you to meet Sarah, and have her sign your discs. And if you wish Sarah to sign any discs you purchase through the online store, we can organise that too. Her merchandise is often available exclusively from Vortica.
