The History of Flying Disc Sports in New England
  • Home
  • The 1970s
    • 1970
    • 1974
    • 1976 >
      • 1976 Eastern National Distance
      • 1976 Cambridge Frisbee Throw
    • 1977 >
      • 1977 Reading Open
      • 1977 New England PDGA Open
      • 1977 Upwind Frisbee Organization
    • 1978 >
      • 1978 Eastern Ultimate
      • 1978 FDO
    • 1979
  • The 1980s
    • 1980
    • 1981
    • 1982
    • 1983
    • 1984
    • 1985
    • 1986
    • 1987
    • 1988 >
      • 1988 06 DJ
    • 1989 >
      • 1989 02 Fishers
      • 1989 05 Capron Classic
      • 1989 06 Pyramids
      • 1989 08 Rhode Islands
      • 1989 08 WAAF
      • 1989 10 Mass States
  • The 1990s
    • 1990 >
      • 1990 06 Pyramids
      • 1990 08 Rhode Islands
      • 1990 09 New Hampshire
      • 1990 09 New Englands
      • 1990 10 Mass States
      • 1990 11 Barre Falls
    • 1991 >
      • 1991 02 Millis Skins
      • 1991 04 UConn
      • 1991 05 Borderland
      • 1991 06 Pyramids
      • 1991 08 RI States
      • 1991 09 NH States
      • 1991 09 New Englands
      • 1991 10 Mass States
      • 1991 11 Cushing
    • 1992 >
      • 1992 03 Oak Grove
      • 1992 04 Pulpit Rock Open
      • 1992 05 Worlds Biggest
      • 1992 05 Borderland
      • 1992 06 Pyramids
      • 1992 07 RI States
      • 1992 09 NH States
      • 1992 09 New Englands
      • 1992 10 Cushing
      • 1992 10 Caped Cod
    • 1993 >
      • 1993 02 Frozen Fruits
      • 1993 03 Oak Grove Open
      • 1993 04 Pulpit Rock Open
      • 1993 05 Borderland
      • 1993 06 Pyramids
      • 1993 07 RI States
      • 1993 08 Bow Lake
      • 1993 08 CT States
      • 1993 08 Mass States
      • 1993 09 NH States
      • 1994 09 Caped Cod
    • 1994 >
      • 1994 Frozen Fruits
      • 1994 03 Oak Grove Open
      • 1994 04 Normandy Farms
      • 1994 04 Pulpit Rock Open
      • 1994 06 CT States
      • 1994 07 RI States
      • 1994 08 Mass States
      • 1994 09 NH States
      • 1994 10 Caped Cod
      • 1994 10 Hickory Pond
    • 1995 >
      • 1995 02 Frozen Fruits
      • 1995 10 Indian Summer
    • 1996 >
      • 1996 02 Frozen Fruits
      • 1996 07 World Masters >
        • 1996 WM Publicity
        • 1996 WM Photos
        • 1996 WM Coverage
        • 1996 WM Results
      • 1996 10 Indian Summer
    • 1997 >
      • 1997 02 Frozen Fruits
      • 1997 04 RI States
      • 1997 06 Amesbury
      • 1997 06 Connecticut
      • 1997 07 Pyramids
      • 1997 08 Massachusetts
      • 1997 08 Vermont
      • 1997 09 Maine
      • 1997 09 New Hampshire
      • 1997 09 New England
      • 1997 10 Caped Cod
    • 1998
    • 1999 >
      • 1999 04 RI States
      • 1999 05 New Englands
  • The 2000s
    • 2000
    • 2001
    • 2002 >
      • 2002 Golf Holes
      • 2002 Worlds
    • 2003 >
      • 2003 03 DamPyramids
      • 2003 05 Cranbury
      • 2003 06 Amesbury
      • 2003 07 Pyramids
      • 2003 Golf Holes
    • 2004 >
      • 2004 New Englands
    • 2005 >
      • 2005 GHDGO
    • 2006 >
      • 2006 GHDGO
    • 2007
    • 2008
    • 2009
  • The 2010s
    • 2010
    • 2011
    • 2012
    • 2013
    • 2014
    • 2015
    • 2016
    • 2017
    • 2018
    • 2019
  • Disc Golf Courses
    • Massachusetts >
      • Amesbury
      • Barre Falls
      • Bird Park
      • Borderland State Park
      • Buffumville
      • Burgess Park
      • Goodnow Park
      • Jug End
      • Maple Hill
      • Normandy Farms
      • Oak n' Spruce
      • Pye Brook Park
      • Riverhead Field
      • Pyramids
      • Russell Orchards
    • Maine >
      • Beaver Brook
      • Enman Field
      • Old Orchard Beach
    • New Hampshire >
      • Cranmore Forest
      • Hickory Pond
      • Sunridge Development
      • Tenney Mountain
    • Vermont >
      • North Calais
    • Connecticut >
      • Cranbury Park
      • Elizabeth Park
      • Fairfield University
      • Roseland Lake Park
      • West Thompson
      • Wickham Park
      • Willowbrook Farms
    • Rhode Island >
      • The Ledges
      • Miantonomi Park
    • New York >
      • FDR Park
      • Kensico Dam
      • Leonard Park
      • Warwick Park
  • NEFA stuff
    • NEFA Discs
    • NEFA Clothing
    • NEFA Miscellaneous
  • In Memoriam
    • BUC
    • Stidham
    • Billy
    • Lick
In Memoriam
Joe "Lick Me" Proud

Photo Gallery
click on the Gallery, then use the arrows to navigate


A Tribute to Lick, by Dan Hale
A fellow disc golfer and longtime friend recently described the day in the Spring of 2004, when the baskets were first installed at Wickham Park, as “one of the best days of my life.”  I had no idea at the time that I’d be looking back at that day almost seventeen years later with the same sentiment. The man at the helm of the effort was the one and only Joseph Mason Proud III, affectionately known as “Lick Me.”  When we were introduced, in typical fashion, he extended his hand and said, “Lick Me, nice to lick you.” Not quite sure what to make of his greeting, I shook his hand and quickly followed his direction to assist with installation tasks. This exchange was something I witnessed with newcomers to the sport year after year, and it was almost always met with a familiar quizzical look, an uncomfortable chuckle, and finally a smile and handshake. Lick’s lightheartedness and infectious laugh were one of a kind.

Team Wick was formed a few years later and our community continued to grow. Lick captained the team for several years. He taught us many things over the years, several life lessons, but none tantamount to the importance of volunteerism. When Lick asked, we did.  No questions asked. I don’t think he ever explicitly said “give back more than what you take,” but his passion, vision and commitment to disc golf showed that mentality every step of the way. He inspired many to follow his lead. I have several fond memories of course work with him at Panthorn Park and Wickham Park. Without Lick, Connecticut Disc Golf would not be where it is today.  His contributions are many, as are the lives affected by his passing. His induction into the Connecticut Disc Golf Hall of Fame last year as the inaugural member was a no brainer. There was no debate in who was more deserving of the honor.

Over the years we grew close to his family too. They are equally as remarkable as Lick. Mary, or “Mary Me” a moniker bestowed by Joe, has always been there to support the disc golf family with her amazing cooking abilities, singlehandedly feeding the army of hungry golfers year in and year out at the GhDGO player party. We watched Joey, or “Lap Me” and Sarah aka “Not Me” grow into beautiful humans who have many of the same qualities as their father: compassion, generosity, and humor to name a few.  He was so proud of Joey and Sarah.
Lick was so much to so many, and I was just one person he touched. But to me, not only was he one of my best friends, he was a mentor, a leader, a brother, a father figure, and my Team Captain.  I am so happy that I got “Licked” and I will be forever grateful for the impact he had on me and our community.  

PDGA member #2773 and NEFA member #24 Joe “Lick Me” Proud, you will forever be in our hearts.
 
Here is list of some of his accomplishments and contributions compiled by another close friend, Dave Mourad;
• Vice-President of the New England Flying disc Association (NEFA)
• Connecticut State Coordinator for the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA)
• Member of a team that proposed and implemented the design for the disc golf course at Wickham Park and at Panthorn Park in Southington
• Former world record holder for longest disc golf ace – 423’
• Captain of four-time New England Team Challenge champion “Team Wick”
• Tournament Director of the New England Overall (NEO) Flying Disc Championship
• Tournament Director of the Greater Hartford Disc Golf Open (GHdgO) since 2010, bringing the event to a prestigious “A-Tier” status in 2012.
• Inventor of a hybrid flying disc sport called “Zephyr” played on a lacrosse field
• Recipient of the Innova Course Steward Award
• Inaugural inductee of the Connecticut Disc Golf Hall of Fame in 2020


Obituary
click the link or image for more
Picture

A "Lickathon"
From the NEFA News, Summer 2005

Picture
Copyright © 2022 Stephen Hartwell
  • Home
  • The 1970s
    • 1970
    • 1974
    • 1976 >
      • 1976 Eastern National Distance
      • 1976 Cambridge Frisbee Throw
    • 1977 >
      • 1977 Reading Open
      • 1977 New England PDGA Open
      • 1977 Upwind Frisbee Organization
    • 1978 >
      • 1978 Eastern Ultimate
      • 1978 FDO
    • 1979
  • The 1980s
    • 1980
    • 1981
    • 1982
    • 1983
    • 1984
    • 1985
    • 1986
    • 1987
    • 1988 >
      • 1988 06 DJ
    • 1989 >
      • 1989 02 Fishers
      • 1989 05 Capron Classic
      • 1989 06 Pyramids
      • 1989 08 Rhode Islands
      • 1989 08 WAAF
      • 1989 10 Mass States
  • The 1990s
    • 1990 >
      • 1990 06 Pyramids
      • 1990 08 Rhode Islands
      • 1990 09 New Hampshire
      • 1990 09 New Englands
      • 1990 10 Mass States
      • 1990 11 Barre Falls
    • 1991 >
      • 1991 02 Millis Skins
      • 1991 04 UConn
      • 1991 05 Borderland
      • 1991 06 Pyramids
      • 1991 08 RI States
      • 1991 09 NH States
      • 1991 09 New Englands
      • 1991 10 Mass States
      • 1991 11 Cushing
    • 1992 >
      • 1992 03 Oak Grove
      • 1992 04 Pulpit Rock Open
      • 1992 05 Worlds Biggest
      • 1992 05 Borderland
      • 1992 06 Pyramids
      • 1992 07 RI States
      • 1992 09 NH States
      • 1992 09 New Englands
      • 1992 10 Cushing
      • 1992 10 Caped Cod
    • 1993 >
      • 1993 02 Frozen Fruits
      • 1993 03 Oak Grove Open
      • 1993 04 Pulpit Rock Open
      • 1993 05 Borderland
      • 1993 06 Pyramids
      • 1993 07 RI States
      • 1993 08 Bow Lake
      • 1993 08 CT States
      • 1993 08 Mass States
      • 1993 09 NH States
      • 1994 09 Caped Cod
    • 1994 >
      • 1994 Frozen Fruits
      • 1994 03 Oak Grove Open
      • 1994 04 Normandy Farms
      • 1994 04 Pulpit Rock Open
      • 1994 06 CT States
      • 1994 07 RI States
      • 1994 08 Mass States
      • 1994 09 NH States
      • 1994 10 Caped Cod
      • 1994 10 Hickory Pond
    • 1995 >
      • 1995 02 Frozen Fruits
      • 1995 10 Indian Summer
    • 1996 >
      • 1996 02 Frozen Fruits
      • 1996 07 World Masters >
        • 1996 WM Publicity
        • 1996 WM Photos
        • 1996 WM Coverage
        • 1996 WM Results
      • 1996 10 Indian Summer
    • 1997 >
      • 1997 02 Frozen Fruits
      • 1997 04 RI States
      • 1997 06 Amesbury
      • 1997 06 Connecticut
      • 1997 07 Pyramids
      • 1997 08 Massachusetts
      • 1997 08 Vermont
      • 1997 09 Maine
      • 1997 09 New Hampshire
      • 1997 09 New England
      • 1997 10 Caped Cod
    • 1998
    • 1999 >
      • 1999 04 RI States
      • 1999 05 New Englands
  • The 2000s
    • 2000
    • 2001
    • 2002 >
      • 2002 Golf Holes
      • 2002 Worlds
    • 2003 >
      • 2003 03 DamPyramids
      • 2003 05 Cranbury
      • 2003 06 Amesbury
      • 2003 07 Pyramids
      • 2003 Golf Holes
    • 2004 >
      • 2004 New Englands
    • 2005 >
      • 2005 GHDGO
    • 2006 >
      • 2006 GHDGO
    • 2007
    • 2008
    • 2009
  • The 2010s
    • 2010
    • 2011
    • 2012
    • 2013
    • 2014
    • 2015
    • 2016
    • 2017
    • 2018
    • 2019
  • Disc Golf Courses
    • Massachusetts >
      • Amesbury
      • Barre Falls
      • Bird Park
      • Borderland State Park
      • Buffumville
      • Burgess Park
      • Goodnow Park
      • Jug End
      • Maple Hill
      • Normandy Farms
      • Oak n' Spruce
      • Pye Brook Park
      • Riverhead Field
      • Pyramids
      • Russell Orchards
    • Maine >
      • Beaver Brook
      • Enman Field
      • Old Orchard Beach
    • New Hampshire >
      • Cranmore Forest
      • Hickory Pond
      • Sunridge Development
      • Tenney Mountain
    • Vermont >
      • North Calais
    • Connecticut >
      • Cranbury Park
      • Elizabeth Park
      • Fairfield University
      • Roseland Lake Park
      • West Thompson
      • Wickham Park
      • Willowbrook Farms
    • Rhode Island >
      • The Ledges
      • Miantonomi Park
    • New York >
      • FDR Park
      • Kensico Dam
      • Leonard Park
      • Warwick Park
  • NEFA stuff
    • NEFA Discs
    • NEFA Clothing
    • NEFA Miscellaneous
  • In Memoriam
    • BUC
    • Stidham
    • Billy
    • Lick