The year is 1995.
The news is dominated by the OJ Simpson trial. Radios across the country are blasting Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise”. The Professional Disc Golf Association, founded in 1976 by ‘Steady’ Ed Hedrick, is still in its infancy. Ken Climo on the other hand, is just 27 and in the midst of a streak of 9 straight World Championships.
Port Arthur Worlds Redux
August rolls around and Ken is in Port Arthur, Texas to defend his PDGA World Championship. He already took home the previous five World titles and was an easy favorite to win it again in the same location he won his 1994 title.
Not only would Climo capture his sixth straight title, he was also inducted into the 1995 Hall of Fame joining Johnny Roberts (PDGA #115), John David (PDGA #790), David Greenwell (PDGA #962), and Dr. Rick Voakes (PDGA #2632).
Photo curtesy of Flying Disc Museum.
While we call Ken “The Champ” today, he was known then as “King Climo.” While Ken was undeniably deserving, some considered it premature; he was just 27 years old and still in the prime of his career. A Hall of Fame induction is one of the highest honors that can be awarded, no matter the sport, yet they are typically reserved for when a playing career is over.
From Climo’s 1995 induction:
“With five straight World Championships and counting, Ken "The King" Climo reigns the disc golf world with a staggering number of tournament wins. Always ranked in the top five, Ken works as diligently to develop the sport for others as he does to perfect his own game. Friendly and energetic, Ken's a constant influence to new players, and actively pursues the development of new courses in his home state of Florida. To watch the power, precision and grace of Ken Climo in action is to understand why he is perhaps the best disc golfer to ever play the game.”
Take a look at Ken’s PDGA stats leading up to his 1995 induction and you can make your own conclusions as to whether it was a premature entry to the Hall or not.
30 Years Later
Since that Hall of Fame induction, much has changed.
The Hall of Fame now requires inductees to be at least 45 years of age and have 15 years of active disc golf participation. Both of these current criteria would have made Ken ineligible when he was inducted.
In 1995, there were roughly 500 courses globally, while today there are over 16,000.
Ken has gone from being the most dominating player in his prime to now being definitively recognized as the best of his era, if not of all time. While injuries have limited Climo’s competitive career recently, he remains active in disc golf in a variety of ways, including launching Climo Disc Golf in early 2025.
Let’s Celebrate Ken’s 30 Years in the Hall
To celebrate the 30 year anniversary of Ken’s Hall of Fame induction, we have made our first ever run of Glow Trophy Line Champs. The Champ is the first putter in the Climo Disc Golf lineup, with flight numbers of 2|3|0|0, the Champ is a threat to go in the bucket any time it's in your hand.
The Glow Trophy Line Champ (Hall of Fame) will be released in-person at the United States Disc Golf Championship's "Vendor Village" on Thursday, October 9. Climo Disc Golf will be set up daily from 11-3. Wholesale sales begin Monday, October 6th and online sales begin Thursday, October 9th at 10:00am EST.
The Major Line Belleair (30 Year HOF Triple) will be released in-person at the United States Disc Golf Championship's "Vendor Village" on Thursday, October 9. Climo Disc Golf will be set up daily from 11-3. Wholesale sales begin Monday, October 6th, with an online release date of Thursday, October 9th at 10:00am EST.
Andi Young, World Disc Golf Hall of Fame Executive Director:
At the 1989 PDGA World Championships (my 4th/his 1st), I had the privilege of witnessing Ken Climo enter the disc golf scene with determination and focus. While I can note with some amusement that my own finish was higher that year, what stood out most was observing a young athlete determined to excel. Climo's aim was to win, not simply compete. Though he placed fifth in his inaugural championship, once he assessed the field, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to victory—a trait that led him to secure nine consecutive (12 overall) World Championship titles, establishing a record unlikely to be surpassed. Despite early Hall of Fame honors, which he considered premature, Climo consistently exhibited professionalism and skill, earning continued recognition to this very day as one of our sport’s greatest players. Well done Kenny!
World Disc Golf Hall of Fame
After 30 years of active existence, The Disc Golf Hall of Fame (DGHoF) recently announced a major renaming and new brand logo. The non-profit organization is now the World Disc Golf Hall of Fame.
Disc Golf is a sport played competitively and recreationally by more than 4 million people on more than 16,000 courses globally. The DGHoF was established in 1993 to highlight life-time achievements of individuals, preserve the sport's history and educate current and future enthusiasts about the Highest Honor in disc golf. 
Currently the DGHoF has 109 members from 7 countries over 4 continents around the world. With the recent explosion of the sport’s popularity reaching a global audience, it is time the organization’s name reflects that expansion… World Disc Golf Hall of Fame.
The World Disc Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2025 consists of the following disc golf legends: Dan Doyle (PDGA #310), Avery Jenkins (PDGA #7495), Sharon Jenkins (PDGA #5408), Jussi Meresmaa (PDGA #14600) and Brian Schweberger (PDGA #12989). The Class of 2025 was announced at the Masters World Championships and will be inducted during the United States Disc Golf Championship.
Celebrate the 30 year anniversary of Ken Climo’s induction into the World Disc Golf Hall of Fame. Inducted in 1995, while in the prime of his career, Climo would go on to set the gold standard for disc golfers all over the world. A portion of the proceeds for each disc will be donated to the World Disc Golf Hall of Fame.
