Reel duo is the real deal

Rarely do non-traditional sports see any bit of success, let alone a continued boom in its popularity. Disc golf has done just that, invented in the 1960s and still seeing more people pick it up and try it out for the first time. Two top players in Western Illinois call Pittsfield home, and to make it even more impressive they are brothers.

Nick Reel and TJ Reel spend much of their free time both practicing and preparing for their next big opportunity. Disc golf is a sport that is supposed to be fun, however, to play at the level they do, you must find a mix of fun and seriousness.

“The first time I picked up a disc was the day after Christmas of 2019 and I’ve been hooked ever since,” Nick said.

The brothers would have never gotten into disc golf, had older brother, Brad Hamilton, not gotten TJ a disc golf starter pack. Then when COVID-19 hit and the brothers had more free time, playing disc golf was the natural solution.

“We got so invested because disc golf was a sport outside that we could play during our time off,” TJ added.

The schedule they have on a weekly basis shows their commitment to the sport. They practice two or three times a week, on top of league nights on Tuesday and the weekend tournaments they often attend.

June 4, Nick achieved a goal that was a long time in the making. Playing in the TruBank Des Moines Challenge, Nick bested 87 other disc golfers finishing first and securing his first ever tournament win. TJ also competed at the event finishing in a respectful seventh place and had an opportunity to win going into the final day.

“The feeling of winning was incredible; I couldn’t keep a smile off my face. There have been so many great memories and experiences in this short time I’ve been playing but nothing quite compared to winning my first tournament” Nick explained, after overcoming a one stroke deficit headed into hole 17.

“I think I definitely could have won but you’ll learn in disc golf there are a lot of could ofs or if this happened, so I don’t like to live in that world,” TJ said.

Disc golf features five different levels of tournaments. Those are Majors, Pro Tour Elite Series, A Tier, B Tiers, and C Ties. Nick’s first ever win coming at an A Tier event made the result even more shocking.

In his other A Tier events, Nick has finished second three times, third once, and a handful of top tens. TJ considers this his breakout year, having placed second, fourth, and seventh in his three A Tier events, along with winning a B Tier event.

The brothers hope this is just the launching point of their disc golf futures and to play in even more tournaments going forward. TJ will be playing disc golf for Emporia State University in Emporia, KS, when the new school year starters.

“In five years, I’d love to be playing in pro tour events but with the direction disc golf is headed, I’m not sure that is a realistic goal. If I am not able to compete at the top then I want to be in a position where I can do a tour of my own, where I pick some events throughout the summer and travel around playing them,” Nick said.

“The dream is to be good enough to go on tour and travel and play disc golf all over the United States. More realistically I will have my teaching degree and be competing any change I get. Having summers off will definitely be a big contributor to my disc golf career and helping me push myself to the next level,” TJ explained.

The future is bright for the Reel brothers. Whether it be Nick’s continued ascension at these A Tier tournaments or TJ’s future of playing at a division 2 school, Emporia State. Disc golf is a rapidly growing sport, and these brothers are part of it.

NICK REEL watches his drive down the fairway.

TJ REEL lines up a short putt for par.

NICK REEL prepares himself for a more difficult putt from the brush.

TJ REEL readies himself release his second shot of the hole.

NICK REEL (l) and TJ REEL (r) are one of the best disc golf brother duos in the area.