Ken Climo

Ken "The Champ" Climo is an American professional disc golfer. He claimed twelve PDGA World Championship titles, including nine in as many years from 1990 to 1998. The only other golfers to achieve multiple World titles are Harold Duvall (1982, 1985), Barry Schultz (2003–2004), Nate Doss (2005, 2007, 2011), Paul McBeth (2012–2015, 2019, 2022), Richard Wysocki (2016, 2017) and Isaac Robinson (2023, 2024). In addition to his world titles, Climo has an unequalled record in the United States Disc Golf Championship (the premier event in the game), earning five titles (1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2007). Named PDGA player of the year seven times, Ken Climo was inducted into the PDGA Hall of Fame in 1995.

He competed in the World Championships masters division for the first time in 2012, at the age of 44, and won by a large margin, securing his 13th world championship title. He has added two more masters world titles to his resume since then (2014, 2015).

During his three decades in the PDGA, Climo has notched 103 aces.

Climo, with Innova Discs, has created his own special blend of plastic, known as KC Pro. Several popular disc molds are available in KC Pro, including the Aviar and Roc. Climo spent 26 years as an Innova sponsored player before launching his own brand, Climo Disc Golf in January 2025. His departure from the brand was announced on November 27, 2024.

Professional career

Open division

Climo has 221 wins in the Open Division, the most all-time, including 12 World Championships and 5 US Championships.

National tour (14) YearTournamentStroke MarginWinning scoreRunner upPrize money2003 Bell South Open −3 (45–47–47–41–27=207) Barry Schultz $2,5002004 Bell South Open −3 (43–47–49–43–26=208) Keith Warren $2,5002004 Masters Cup −5 (77–75–70–27=249) Barry Schultz/David Feldberg $2,5002005 Golden State Classic −1 (57–55–61–57–32=262) Barry Schultz/David Feldberg $1,5002005 Greater Des Moines Challenge −8 (52–48–44–51=195) Coda Hatfield $1,5002005 Skylands Classic Playoff (44–59–51–52=206) Steve Brinster $2,1002006 Melbourne Open −4 (64–67–68–26=225) Johne McCray $1,5002006 Masters Cup −11 (76–72–67=215) Steve Rico $2,0002007 Bowling Green Open −1 (43–49–48–47–25=212) Coda Hatfield $2,0002007 Golden State Classic −3 (53–54–64=171) Matthew Orum $1,7502009 Atlanta Open −4 (50–50–55–62=217) Barry Schultz $1,7002009 Beaver State Fling −7 (54–51–51–52=208) Avery Jenkins $2,8502010 Sunshine State Shootout Playoff (62–74–65=201) Nathan Doss $1,2502010 Masters Cup Playoff (78–72–71=221) Bradley Williams $1,840

NT playoff record (3–0) YearTournamentOpponentResult 2005 Skylands Classic Steve Brinster Won on second extra hole 2010 Sunshine State Classic Nathan Doss Won with birdie on first extra hole 2010 Masters Cup Bradley Williams Won with par on first extra hole

Summary

Annual statistics

Masters division

Although eligible for the Masters Division in 2008 when he turned 40, Climo played his first Masters event in 2012, when he won the World Championships. He has won two additional World Championships since then (2014, 2015), bringing his total (including Open Division) to 15.

PDGA Masters World Championships(3) YearLocationStroke MarginWinning scoreRunner upPrize money2012 Charlotte, NC −9 (55–46–59–51–52–60–46–26=395) Barry Schultz $3,5002014 Portland, OR −1 (54–54–56–60–53–53–63–31=424) Barry Schultz $2,5002015 Pittsburgh, PA −3 (56–57–64–57–60–56–27=377) Patrick Brown $2,400

National tour (6) YearTournamentStroke MarginWinning scoreRunner upPrize money2013 Memorial Championship −9 (55–52–50–47=204) Jonathan Baldwin/Phil Arthur/Rex Rogers $1,5002013 Beaver State Fling −10 (54–54–52–54=214) Patrick Brown $1,500 2014 Memorial Championship −3 (57–49–50–49=205) Patrick Brown $1,5002015 Memorial Championship −9 (49–49–52–52=202) Patrick Brown $1,6002016 Memorial Championship −7 (50–49–48–45=192) Patrick Brown $1,6002016 Beaver State Fling Playoff (57–58–56–57=228) Patrick Brown $1,250

NT playoff record (1–0) YearTournamentOpponentResult2016 Beaver State Fling Patrick Brown Won with birdie on first extra hole

Summary

Annual statistics

Equipment

Climo has been sponsored by Innova Champion discs throughout his career. He has a number of past and current signature discs (marked with *) and carries a combination of the following discs in competition:

Drivers Boss (Champion) Destroyer (Pro, Star) Firebird (Champion)* Katana (Echo Star) Starfire (Pro) Tern (Champion)* Wraith (Pro, Star)* XCaliber (Echo Star)

Fairway Drivers Banshee (Champion) Eagle (Champion)* TeeBird (Champion, KC Pro)* TL (Champion) Sidewinder (Champion)

Midranges Roc (KC Pro)*

Putters Aviar (KC Pro)*

Climo's other signature discs have included: Cheetah, Cobra, Gazelle, Pegasus, Polaris LS, Raven, Scorpion, Stingray, Viper, Vulcan, Whippet, XD