RAY_HERNANDEZ
File photo: Courtesy of Raymond Hernandez

ROSEBURG – Local disc golfer Raymond Hernandez is heading out of town Thursday for the Professional Disc Golf Association Amateur and Junior World Championships in Madison, WI.

Hernandez is competing in the Junior I boys division and enters the competition ranked seventh out of 36 entrants. Last year at the World Championships, Hernandez competed in the international event for the first time and placed ninth in the Junior II division. He advanced to the semifinals, but finished eight strokes behind the cut line for the finals.

Sitting at the Eugene Airport waiting to board a delayed flight, Hernandez says this is probably the biggest tournament of his career. After his experience at the World Championships last year, he says that his expectations for himself are very high.

“I feel like I’m at my very best,” Hernandez explained. “I don’t want to be cocky, but I’m almost 100% confident in my game right now that I’ll place top 10. Like, at worst top 10.”

Hernandez has four careers wins in three seasons. His most recent was on May 30 in Cottage Grove, when Hernandez won the Advanced division by eight strokes and was the only disc golfer in his division to finish under par.

The World Championships don’t begin until Tuesday, July 12. Competitors are given three days prior to the start of tournament play to practice at the five courses used for the preliminary rounds. The semifinals and finals will be held Saturday, July 16.

Raymond Hernandez will be a guest on Off The Wall with Joey Keeran on Friday, July 8. Tune in to CBS Sports Radio 1490 The Score from 12-1 p.m. to hear his thoughts on preparing for the PDGA Amateur and Junior World Championships.