A metal disc golf basket was not a common sight in the barrel room of 2 Towns Ciderhouse in Corvallis, until one was promptly installed in anticipation of the arrival of Nate Sexton, professional disc golfer and Corvallis native.
On Jan. 19, Sexton appeared at the ciderhouse, giving autographs and advice, and holding a putting clinic to celebrate 2 Towns’ release of a new flavor of hard cider, titled Apricot Cosmic Crisp.
The can features a disc golfer, a decision which was influenced by the interest of the employees at 2 Towns, according to Jessica Wisor, marketing manager at 2 Towns Ciderhouse.
“Because we have so many disc golf enthusiasts at 2 Towns, it was only a matter of time before it ended up on one of our products,” Wisor said. “We really picked it just because of the enthusiasm of the employees and our support of the sport.”
One such enthusiast is Ross Lockhart, local and specialty product distribution manager at 2 Towns, who has known Sexton for many years.
”Seeing the scene explode over the last several years, and being able to make 2 Towns a part of it has been an amazing experience,” Lockhart said. “Getting to work alongside Papa Nate to coordinate this event at the 2 Towns tap room after first playing with him so many years ago, and watching him grow into his current role in the sport, has been a real honor. His willingness to share his knowledge is a rare treat, and his ability to articulate his knowledge and help others new to the sport is something you can’t train.”
2 Towns participates in the yearly Beaver State Fling in Estacada, and last year were the official hard cider pourer for the American Ultimate Disc League, according to Wisor.
“We’re really happy to be involved in the sport. I feel like it’s gaining in popularity and I can understand why, it’s a great way to get outdoors,” Wisor said. “And if people can enjoy one of our ciders while they’re doing that, it’s even better!”
It was in conversation with the Professional Disc Golf Association, however, that Wisor learned of Sexton, and the fact that he is a Corvallis native.
“Through talking with people in the industry, as soon as they found out that we were from Corvallis, it just seemed a natural fit to reach out to him,” Wisor said.
Sexton grew up in Corvallis, and his parents were research assistants at Oregon State University. He attended Oregon State University from 2004 to 2009, graduating with a bachelor’s in environmental science.
Sexton was integral in the formation of OSU’s disc golf club and team and would go on to coach the team for several years. It was also through that team that Sexton would come to know Ross Lockhart.
Sexton would go on to have a wildly successful career in professional disc golf, and among other achievements, placed first in the 2017 United States Disc Golf Championship, and third in the 2021 PDGA World Championships. Sexton also provides commentary for Jomez Productions and Disc Golf Network, and is sponsored by Innova Champion Discs.
Sexton and his wife welcomed their daughter Coraline in 2017, which according to Sexton, bolstered his motivation on and off the green.
“It gave me some motivation … Just having somebody else to really focus my energy and think, ‘Okay, I’m doing this for the betterment of my family and for my daughter,’” Sexton said. “I would try to use that as a mental trick, like, ‘I gotta make this putt … I didn’t travel all the way here, spend all this money, spend all this time, to not come through in these moments.’”
Sexton also commented on the growth of Corvallis and OSU.
“Corvallis feels a lot bigger, OSU feels a lot bigger than I remember it as a young kid,” Sexton said. “I was around OSU as an elementary schooler. A lot has changed in that sense but the overall town I don’t think has changed terribly much. There’s a lot more apartments now, that’s for sure.”
Reflecting on the event at 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Sexton expressed gratitude for his inclusion and for 2 Town’s support of disc golf.
“I’ve done lots and lots of clinics over the years and it was an honor that they reached out to me and asked that I be a guest at their release party,” Sexton said. “It’s always great when a local company is throwing their weight behind disc golf and acknowledging disc golf, we always love that, being a smaller sport.”
