Jeff Panis.
That last name looks a bit familiar, doesn’t it?
Guilty as charged: The guy’s Kona Panis’ dad. But if you’re an Innova fanboy like me, you get that he knows WAY more about the game of disc golf than what’s in Kona’s bag. He’s one of the higher-ups at Innova Champion Discs. Like, the dude’s interfacing with Dave Dunipace on the regular …
Talk about a sweet gig.
Jeff’s somehow able to stomach what we do here at Green Splatter, so he was kind enough to chat with me for 30-ish minutes, while I peppered him with questions about Rancho Cucamonga. Some were easy. Some were not-so-easy. Either way, he answered ‘em all like a champ …
Enjoy:
For those who don’t know you, who are you? What’s your role in the greater disc golf world?
“I’m Jeff Panis.
“The title on my hypothetical business card would read, ‘Marketing Director at Innova Champion Discs.’ I’m based out of the Ontario office here in Calif. I work with production people. I work with both our East and West Coast teams to promote all that Innova does.
“Obviously, that deals with our discs, but it also includes our team, gear and all events we sponsor. I shouldn’t say ‘all events,’ but you know — the larger events we sponsor, as well as our international partners. Marketing encompasses a great deal, so there’s lots of crossover into several departments: product development, promotions, retail, wholesale, distributors, etc.”
What’s your day-to-day look like with Innova?
“Since COVID hit, the marketing team out west immediately started working from home. To date, that hasn’t changed much, as we have the remote tools to track our projects, organize our people, share our content and communicate with others effectively. We had all of those tools in place well before COVID, so working from home has been the norm for us for almost two years.
“We do a lot of virtual meetings. We have creative team meetings every week. We have marketing team meetings to bring together our East and West Coast people every week.
“There’s still some face-to-face stuff in there, but Innova’s pretty diligent with its COVID policies, making sure everybody is as safe as can be. We limit facetime and physical contact, as much as possible. To a certain degree, though, we’re starting to come out of COVID a bit. It’s nice to see people’s faces when we can — that’s a good thing.
“As far as actual marketing is concerned, I spend a lot of time working on the tactics and strategies surrounding the content we create and share, as well as the media we’re putting out.
“Here on the West Coast, we’re responsible for all of the artwork that goes on stock Innova discs. But not just the stock stuff — anything that requires custom artwork is handled by my team, as well. That includes all Tour Series discs, of course.
“In 2021, we handled well over 1,000 different disc-design projects here in Ontario. That’s something most people don’t see. We’re a small team, but the work we produce is awesome.”
What’s Dave Dunipace like in the flesh?
“Man, that is a LOADED question — and in such a good way.
“I’m fortunate in that I get to spend a lot of time with Dave. When strangers meet him, they’re often surprised by how approachable he is. He’s done so much for disc golf, it’s hard not to be in awe of him — myself included. But he’s approachable. He’s humble. He’s fun to be around.
“I play a round of disc golf with him every weekend. We go to Martha McLean. We show up at 7 o’clock in the morning. As soon as we hit the first tee, we immediately start talking crap to each other about how bad our shots are. Dave’s good friend, Jerry Ross, joins us for these rounds, too.
“Honestly, that right there is probably one of the best parts of my lifestyle. For me, this isn’t much of a job — it’s a lifestyle. Even though we’re out there playing disc golf and having fun and giving each other a hard time after a bad shot, I learn a lot from Dave.
“I learn about his philosophies. For example, Dave is very matter-of-fact. He’s not going to B.S. you. He will tell you exactly what’s on his mind, but he does it from a position of wanting you to be better or wanting you to do better. For people who maybe aren’t as familiar with that level of frankness in their everyday lives, it can open some eyes a bit.
“But when you know where Dave’s heart is, you take in every word of it. It’s so unbiased. There’s no gloss to it. Again, it’s so matter-of-fact. I love that more than anything about Dave.
“The guy’s the same way with everybody he meets. It doesn’t matter if it’s a fan looking for an autograph or somebody like Sam Ferrans, who he’s practically known his entire life. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, Dave will treat you the same — I can respect that.”
What’s Innova’s best-selling mold?
“It’s got to be the Aviar, especially if you look at things over time. The Aviar has done so much for the game. Dave started every category of disc, from putters to midranges, midranges to fairway drivers and fairway drivers to distance drivers — he helped create ALL of these categories.
“The Aviar has stood the test of time. The best putters in the world use them. But they’re in our starter sets, too. So, yeah — it’s got to be the Aviar.”
Hands-down, what’s your favorite Innova mold?
“If you were to ask the people closest to me out here in Ontario, they would tell you it’s the Wombat3. No joke, people call me ‘Wombat’ because of how often I throw it. I love the disc.
“It was given to me by Sam Ferrans the first day I came to work at Innova. It was a pre-release Wombat3, which is pretty cool to think back on. As luck would have it, the disc fits perfectly with my form and style of play. If you don’t have a Wombat3 in your bag, get one in there. It’ll quickly help you identify errors in your form. It’ll fly perfectly straight. It’s a great disc.
“And I know I’ve talked a bunch about him already, but one more thing about Dave …
“He LOVES to tinker with discs.
“He truly is a ‘mad scientist’ of sorts. Every week, he finds time in his schedule to slightly modify a disc or try out a new plastic or do something different to an existing mold in a subtle sort of way that makes it fly differently.
“So, with all of that in mind, in addition to the Wombat3, there are two discs in my bag that stand out above the rest. I can’t really claim a ‘favorite,’ per se, but I can tell you these golf frisbees are two that I turn to nonstop out on the course — the first is the Invader.
“If you’re into throwing putters or if approaches are an important part of your game, especially throwing approaches hard, the Invader is worth giving a shot. Take the way James Conrad plays, for example. He throws slow-speed discs as far and hard as he can — it improves his accuracy.
“The Invader is perfect for that. I think it’s the best throwing putter Dave’s ever made. It’s incredible. You can throw it hard. You can throw it soft. Whatever you decide to do with it, the disc stays on the line you put it on. It also feels great in the hand, which is an added bonus.
“I bag a Luster Champion version, but I’ve thrown it in DX and Nexus plastic, too. It’s weird, but regardless of plastic type, they all fly so similarly. Pick your poison. If there’s a plastic you like best, go for it — the Invader will fly great. I don’t putt with it, but for short drives and approaches, there’s no putter on the market quite like it — it’s second to none.
“The second disc I’d put right up there with the Invader is the Hawkeye. The Hawkeye is essentially Discmania’s original FD — it’s just Innova’s version of it. Again, simply an amazing piece of plastic. Mine’s a Halo. It’s got sneaky distance and flies incredibly straight. It’s one of those discs that can work for a lot of people — it doesn’t really matter how good you are.
“I was there when Hailey King threw her Hawkeye for the first time. Right out of her hand, she turned around, looked at me and said, ‘That’s how a great disc flies.’ So, yeah — the Wombat3 is stellar, but I’m going to go with the Invader and Hawkeye for my two Innova faves.”
As you see it, what’s Innova’s most overrated mold?
“Dude, these questions are BRUTAL …
“Honestly, we have over 160 PDGA-approved discs, so I have to think about it for a bit. I haven’t even thrown them all, which makes answering this question even harder. I think the best way to answer this is to think back on some of our more popular molds — the ones I don’t bag, to be more specific.
“When I do that, the first disc that comes to mind is back in the short-game category …
“I’m going to go with the Rhyno.
“It’s a bit of an esoteric mold. I think about where we are right now with our short-game lineup, and I would choose so many discs before the Rhyno. I’m sure somebody won’t like me saying that, but it’s true — I just don’t see it.
“I would choose an AviarX3, for example. It’s faster, so the flight’s not exactly the same. I’d also go with the new Toro before the Rhyno, as well. Heck, even a Pig would be a more solid choice, especially in R-Pro plastic. It’s a great-feeling disc. It’s not that the Rhyno is a bad disc, but personally, I think there are better options out there.”
How wealthy of a man has the Firebird made Nate Sexton? Care to share any figures?
“I have no figures on that, I’m afraid.
“I don’t see the Factory Store’s Tour Series sales numbers. But, like most people reading this, I see the Factory Store drops go live along with the rest of you. I see them sell out in minutes. I know it’s crazy out there.
“I talk to Nate with some frequency. I’m thankful he’s an Innova athlete and brand supporter. He’s dedicated to all we do, which is incredible. As team captain, I’m stoked he leads our team.
“That’s about all I can say about that, really.”
What was the straw that finally broke the camel’s back for the release of the Halo Polecat?
“Here’s what’s funny: The Halo Polecat was in the works, at least on paper, for quite a while.
“You can thank the people up in NorCal and PDGA Rodman for that. Those guys are all about the Polecat World Championships. With social media being what it is, the disc has such a unique fanbase — you can’t escape it. And with Halo plastic really gaining traction, Polecat madness sort of took on a life of its own.
“We’re pretty good at social listening. We may not respond everywhere, but we do listen quite a bit. The overwhelming shout very early on was for Halo Polecats. We knew it would be a reality months before the actual release of the disc — it was well over a year, at least. We’d talked extensively about making it happen. The Halo Polecat was always on our radar.
“In the beginning, however, we didn’t have the technology to create it. Given my responsibilities with Innova, I don’t claim to know all the technical aspects about why the mold for the Halo Polecat was so different from everything else we have, but I know we couldn’t produce it.
“So, we had to evolve our internal technology and get to the point where we could make the Halo Polecat a reality. And once we could, the Factory Store took that thing and ran with it. I still think it’s awesome we dropped it on April Fool’s day — such a cool experience.”
What has to happen for the world to see something similar to CE plastic in the future?
“That’s a technology thing. It’s also a supply chain thing. The sheer volume of discs we mold and the amount of plastic we have to purchase and sustain over time to meet demand is insanity.
“Plastic is constantly changing, too. This is something people don’t often realize. For example, when we buy new batches of plastic, it isn’t always the exact same material we had the time before. Even if it’s from the exact same supplier, and it’s labeled the exact same thing, it’s not always exactly the same.
“So there’s that.
“From there, when you start talking about things like CE plastic, much of that conversation is something I’m not all that involved with at Innova — the more technical side of disc production.
“When I listen to Dave talk with our engineers, however, this much I know for certain: They want to put out the best products they can for disc golfers. But not only that, they need to be able to mass produce it — and consistently. That’s where things get a bit trickier, you know?
“I don’t know where CE plastic falls within those parameters, but Dave and our engineers do. This is why they’re always testing out new polymers. They’re dedicated to finding the best stuff. They want our discs to fly great, but they want them to feel great and look great, too.
“I’d add that Innova’s engineers have new, never-before-seen plastics in their possession that have the potential to do some pretty amazing things on a disc golf course. But again, can it be mass produced? Will it prove consistent in the long run? I’m not involved in those answers.”
Your Innova collection has to be sweet: What’s the single-most valuable Innova frisbee in your possession?
“Your assumption is wrong.
“My collection is modest, at best. By nature, I’m not a collector. I’m not always on the hunt for the ‘latest-and-greatest’ things. As a matter of fact, right now, I don’t have a single Tour Series disc in my bag. My Halo Hawkeye is a factory second Dave gave me, so I’m not counting it.
“But if you’re talking about sentimental value, I do have one that’s important to me — my first-run Halo Valkyrie. These Valkyries were the first to come off the machine. They were neat. They were really different-looking, especially some of the early testers.
“Dave gave me one of them.
“The Halo on it has a unique look to it — it’s different from all the others I’ve seen. He signed it for me, too. I don’t ask Dave to sign discs for me, but I wanted him to sign that one, because it felt like a pivotal moment in the evolution of Innova’s plastic — and I was there for it. No, it doesn’t have a ton of value, but from a sentimental perspective, it’s super important to me.”
Given the movement we saw this past off-season, does Innova really need ‘big-name’ stars on its side to move inventory?
“The team managers at Innova have played an important role in getting us to where we’re at right now. Firsthand, I see the work they put in on a daily basis to help grow and support our athletes, while the sport continues to evolve. What they’re doing works. Don’t take my word for it: Over the past few decades, look at what Team Innova has done — look at the success it’s had.
“Not long ago, I sat down with Harold Duvall to do a video about the 40th anniversary of his first world title back in 1982. It’s funny, because Innova was founded by the top-two finishers of that 1982 World Championships: Harold and Dave. Team Innova will ALWAYS be about taking down titles. Winning is in the company’s DNA. That will never leave Innova. No doubt about it.
“Because of that mindset, Dave is always scouting out new talent. He consumes more disc golf media and data than anybody I’ve ever met. He studies the sport. He identifies top talent. And then he brings them onboard. It’s beyond a hobby for him. He wants to win — he loves it.
“Look at the size of our team — it’s huge! I don’t know exactly how big other manufacturers’ teams are, but from top to bottom, ours has to be one of the biggest, if not THE biggest.
“Now, about the exodus of higher-end talent from Team Innova — there have been a number of ‘quick shifts’ at the highest levels of professional disc golf in recent years. Much of that has to do with players not only improving their abilities on the course, but their individual brands, as well.
“Here at Innova, we are doing our best to adapt to the changing landscape. Sometimes, we offer something we feel is fair and equitable, but it’s not what a specific athlete is looking for. Or, they may find a more favorable opportunity elsewhere. I get that. Dave gets that. Our managers get that. It’s not us pushing people away, it’s disc golfers doing what they feel is best for them.
“Innova wants the best players in the world. We want them to stick around for a long time, too. On either side, however, should priorities change, that’s perfectly understandable. I don’t consider that a bad thing. Dave is patient — he gets it. He’ll make the right decisions.
“Team Innova will follow his lead.”
Last one: When was the last time you beat Kona in a round of disc golf?
“That’s a great question …
“I’d have to think back a long way, probably. Apart from our Wednesday league at Colton Golf Club, and I don’t even remember the score or timeframe, it’s been a good bit. That round, I think we might’ve played doubles for nine holes, too. So that kind of invalidates it, unfortunately.
“She’s WELL beyond me, at this point. I don’t think about beating her much, though. She’s better than me, as you know. I’m past that. Her skills continue to improve. For me, as her father, I’m more concerned with watching her grow as a player and woman — that’s more enjoyable.
“We’ve had some candid conversations, as of late. She’s had some rough rounds. She’s been frustrated by her play. When that happens, I message her and remind her to embrace the struggle. Things don’t always go the way we want them to — it’s better than being bored with life.
“Beyond playing the game, I’m more fascinated with enjoying what disc golf does for Kona. Moreover, what it does for OUR relationship. We’re dad and daughter, of course. And I’m not her coach. But I do like being there for her, just as Dave is for me when we play together.
“Dave doesn’t get mad at me for throwing a bad shot, and I don’t get mad at Kona for doing the same. We have open, honest and frank conversations. They come from a place of love and support, which is what matters most. For me, this is incredibly fulfilling — I love it.
“Also, Kona will beat me from now to eternity …
“I’ll survive.”
If you’re keeping score at home, one thing’s become abundantly clear …
Jeff Panis is a good dude.
He’s good for Innova Champion Discs. He’s good for David Dunipace. He’s good for his wife and children, of course. And perhaps least important of all, but the thing for which you and I will undoubtedly know him best, he’s good for the game of disc golf – GREAT for it, really.
Thanks, Wombat.
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