Angelica Haggert
It isn’t golf. Or Frisbee.
It’s disc golf, and it’s found a local home
at Lakewood Park in Tecumseh.
Uniquely Canadian, the first
documented game of disc golf was in the
early 1900s in Saskatchewan. Competitively,
disc golf was reintroduced in 1970 at the
Canadian Open Frisbee Championship in
Toronto.
So what in the world is disc golf?
“It’s just like what we call ball golf,” says
Ron Hebert of Windsor Essex Disc Golf. “The
concept and the rules are very, very similar -
except instead of hitting a ball, you are
throwing a disc.”
That disc? It’s actually not a Frisbee.
“Most people start out with a driver
[disc], a mid-range and a putter: a three-disc
set,” said Hebert. “In my bag, I have 12-14
discs.”
More popular on the West Coast, disc
golf is slowly moving into the area. The
Lakewood course opened officially in May,
having operated for almost two years on a
temporary course before that.
Photo courtesy of Windsor Essex Disc Golf
“Prior to us opening, you had to go to
Michigan or up to the St. Thomas area,” said
Hebert. “The Professional Disc Golf
Association lists almost 7000 courses in
North America.”
That’s right - there’s a PDGA. They have
a newsletter (The DiscGolfer), a DISCussion
board and members-only events.The PDGA’s
International Disc Golf Center hosts the
National Championship in September.
“I think word is getting out,” said
Hebert. “It’s getting busier and busier. People
are having a blast.”
While there is skill and technique to be
developed, you can start by just giving the
disc a toss. “In the late spring we had students
come out,” said Hebert. “We’re doing a
Tecumseh summer camp, and we’ll always
come out and start people off.”
The Third Annual Windsor Essex Disc
Golf Tournament takes place in October. It
will be the first time the tournament takes
place on the permanent course. It costs
$40.00 to play, which includes a disc and a
towel.
“I grew up always throwing a Frisbee
and always playing golf,” Hebert explains.
“When I found out there was a way to
combine the two I was in heaven.”
Disc golf has been slow to catch on in
Ontario.
“Canadians are obsessed with hockey,”
Hebert said. “Luckily the developers used to
recreate Lakewood Park were from B.C.,
where the activity is more popular.”
Windsor Essex Disc Golf was established
in 2013. Although there are no established
leagues, a core group plays regularly on
Photo courtesy of Windsor Essex Disc Golf
Sundays at 10 a.m. and Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
“We never stop playing,” said Hebert.
Yes, that means they play through the winter.
“Just don’t throw a white disc in the snow!”
Courses can exist buried in forests or
right out in the open. The game uses water
and tree barriers, just like normal golf.
At Lakewood Park, disc golf is free to
play. There are no designated tee times to
schedule around. If you do not own discs, you
can borrow some to play at Lakewood Cafe
for $10.00 - refundable when you return the
disc.
“It’s a great low-cost activity,” said
Hebert.“For $50.00 you can get a solid
three-disc set, and play for years without ever
paying another dime.”
Hebert sees people of all ages and
abilities out on the course.
“You don’t have to move quickly, or be
incredibly strong,” said Hebert. “Anyone can
play.”
For more information on local disc golf
opportunities, visit Windsor Essex Disc Golf
on Facebook, or stop by Lakewood Park.
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8 The HUB -August 2017