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Kayla Hess

@khess.dg

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3x Major Champ 🏆
@latitude_64
@cosmicdiscgolf
@discgolfclubatpitt

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🥇USWDGC⛰️

Words cannot describe the array of emotions I felt this past week. Overall, I played some of the best disc golf of my live and my game felt drastically different then what it was just last week. I had lots of doubts coming to Utah because of my poor performance at junior worlds. This week was amazing not just because of the win, but because I showed myself that I have all the tools to play at an extremely high level.

The moment I’ve thought about the most isn’t the win or the ace (although those are both pretty amazing), but instead it is a small interaction that I had after round 3. Despite my good round, I was frustrated because of a few silly mistakes and the fact that I had given up the lead. I was walking to the car when a little girl stopped and asked me to sign her disc. We had a short conversation that probably didn’t last more than 2 minutes, but seeing the joy on her and her fathers faces afterwards is something that has made me smile every time I think about it. It reminded me of one of the biggest reasons why I am so passionate about disc golf: the fact that I get to share the sport with others and hopefully be an inspiration for them.

I would like to give a huge thank you to my family for supporting me during this summer filled with disc golf and packing for college. Huge thank you to @latitude_64 for all of the support they’ve given me. I used my Seer a lot for left to right moving shots and my Pures were on fire all week. Also thank you to @cosmicdiscgolf for all the support as I compete at these larger events.

I have three weeks home and then I’ll be up in Buffalo for my final major of the year! taken in Salt Lake City, Utah by @khess.dg

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3 months ago

🏆2024 PDGA Junior Disc Golf World Championships🏆

After a 25+ hour car ride back from Tulsa and a full day of rest, I’m now finally able to write this recap. I could go on and on about all the little details of this last week but there would be far too many words for an instagram caption so I’ll try to keep things relatively short.

Overall, I’m super proud of how I played this weekend. There were rough patches in all of my rounds, but my mental game stayed strong and I didn’t let any of my rounds take a turn for the worse. I was frustrated early on in the week because I knew I wasn’t playing up to my potential and instead was only shooting “solid” or “consistent” rounds. While these rounds still kept me in a good place, I couldn’t help but want something more. This inevitably came in the semifinals and final 9 where I found a new wave of confidence in my game. My year in disc golf so far has not gone exactly how I would’ve wanted. This win reassured me of my own skills and ability to play well. It’s an amazing accomplishment that I’m sure to never forget.

Thank you to my 1000 rated caddy @eric.hess.127 . Despite our occasional bickering or arguments you were still the best caddy I could’ve asked for and there is no one else I would’ve rather shared this week with.

Huge thank you to @latitude_64 for supporting me this year. Although my game felt unstable at times, my discs were always consistent and helped me pull off this amazing win. It’s hard to name the discs I used the most throughout the long week, but it would have to be my two go-tos: my Ballista Pros and my Pures.

I got to meet and compete against so many amazing players this week. While we were still competing, it was great getting to laugh and talk with you all on and off the course. I loved getting the chance to make new friends and I hope I get a chance to play with you all again sometime!!

Last but not least, thank you to my family, friends, local disc golf community, and anyone else that messaged me this week. The overwhelming amount of support I had definitely contributed to my success and I feel so lucky to know so many amazing people. taken in Tulsa, Oklahoma by @khess.dg

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2 years ago

Anything for the club 🫡 @discgolfclubatpitt by @khess.dg

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17 days ago

🥈PA States 🥈

While I wasn’t able to defend my title this year, I still had a humongous milestone at my home state championship- I finally accepted cash!! I’ve known for a little while now that I was planning on going pro after Am Worlds but I wanted to wait until it was official to say anything.

It felt so good to spend my first weekend back home since being at college. As much as I have been loving the Pittsburgh courses, it was nice to get back to two of my favorite home courses. Despite not playing my best or exactly how I wanted, I had lots of fun and feel pretty solid about my performance. I can see aspects of my game progressing and developing which is very exciting.

I was throwing my Ballista Pros really well all weekend, but especially during the final round at Shiprock. My Slammer was also my primary approach disc for this event.

Huge thank you to my amazing mom for caddying for me all three rounds, despite dealing with some shoulder pain. Congrats @kelleyfoster on the big win!! It was great to see you back in PA.

While I’m not currently signed up for anything else, I’m back at Pitt and focused on prepping for our first regional event in October! by @khess.dg

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a month ago

PDGA Amateur World Championships

As I mentioned before, this one hurt a lot. I’ve gone back and forth the past two weeks replaying hole 18 in my mind and debating on if I would’ve changed my play had I known the score. Looking at the scores for the first time right after I threw my OB tee shot crushed me and made the whole situation difficult to deal with.

Regardless of the finish, I still have many moments to be proud of from Buffalo. That final round was the first time I haven’t had a caddy in a major tournament. I admire how I was able to work through my own nerves and stay in it until the very end.

This recap is coming significantly later than usual, as I have since moved into college! Going straight from Buffalo to move in to welcome week to the start of classes has been hectic, but I am so excited for this new chapter. @collegediscgolf here I come!!

I would like to give a huge thank you to my grandparents for taking me up to Buffalo with their 44-foot RV and giving me the true glamping experience. I would also like to thank my dad for driving up to Buffalo on his own to caddy for me the first 4 days.

A humongous shout out to @latitude_64 for all the support they give me, especially when competing on this big stage. I was bombing Ballista Pros all week and my putts with the Pure helped keep me in it throughout the final round. Special thank you to @cosmicdiscgolf as well. Be on the lookout for something special coming soon 👀

Final round coverage is now out on @gatekeeper_media so please go watch and support them. For now, I’m excited for @discgolfclubatpitt tryouts this weekend and heading home to try and defend my PA States title in a couple weeks! by @khess.dg

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2 months ago

A story in eight photos.

(Spoiler: Kayla Hess gets the ACE) taken in Salt Lake City, UT by @khess.dg

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3 months ago

2026 PDGA Junior Worlds

This one is going to hurt. Knowing this was my final worlds, I put an immense amount of pressure on myself to perform well. This caused me to be in my head for all but one round and prevented me from competing at the level I know I can. These mental struggles are something I have to work through and although this week did not go as planned, I could see glimpses of the disc golfer I know I can be.

Outside of the competition, I had so much fun in Pittsburgh, a city that is quickly becoming my favorite (call me biased). Having so many family members come out to support me made this week one I will never forget. @pittsburghflyingdisc did an amazing job with the event and courses, so if you have the chance I would highly recommend visiting.

I am making this post while waiting to board my 7am flight to Utah for USWDGC. I’m hoping to leave this week behind me and move forward with a clean slate and fresh perspective.

With all that being said, I would like to thank @latitude_64 for supporting me through not just the ups, but the downs as well. Go check out @cosmicdiscgolf as well if you haven’t already!! Lastly, thank you junior disc golf for the last six years. You’ve brought me both immense joy and sadness, but I wouldn’t have it any other way :) taken in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by @khess.dg

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3 months ago

One more shot!! My sixth and final junior worlds starts bright and early tomorrow at 7:54am EST. I want to give a giant thank you to everyone supporting as I chase the title one last time!

@latitude_64 has done so much for me and their support means the world. Knowing my bag is filled with their discs makes me confident heading onto the course this week! taken in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by @khess.dg

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3 months ago

To those battling it out across Pittsburgh's finest courses this week, DGC@PITT wishes you good luck! @khess.dg show them how it's done!

#discgolf #h2p taken in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by @khess.dg

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3 months ago

I graduated!! A little less than two weeks ago I walked across the stage in my high school auditorium and closed a major chapter of my life. I was also privileged enough to be one of three speakers chosen to give a speech at the ceremony (spoiler: mine was about disc golf 😊).

Moving into this next chapter is scary, but I am endlessly excited about all of the new opportunities that it will bring. While I don’t have all the answers now, I know that I have time to figure things out and experience all that life has to offer!! by @khess.dg

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4 months ago

probably the last time you’ll see me in a dress on the disc golf course #seniorprom by @khess.dg

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5 months ago

As someone who LOVES the Brave, I can definitely see the Mighty potentially making its way into my bag! It has the same glide that makes the Brave one of my favorites, but the added bit of stability makes for a nice different shot shape. And obviously the Grand plastic feels amazing as always :)

You can get one for yourself this Thursday over at @latitude_64 !!

#discgolf #latitude64 #newrelease #team64 by @khess.dg

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5 months ago