Disc golf catches on with local enthusiasts
Mixture of two games is gaining popularity
By Bradley J. Brooks
Kansan Correspondent
Caleb Midgley casts his gaze 200 feet uphill toward the target. With two steps and a flick of wrist, he lets his frisbee fly.
Midgley, Meriden freshman, like many KU students, has discovered the sport of frisbee golf.
"Playing frisbee gets so boring. This just adds a little something to it," Midgley said. "It's relaxing. You just toss the disc and hang out."
While frisbee, or disc, golf is just a fun diversion for Midgley, others are taking the sport to a higher level.
Buddy Kassner is the chairman of the Kansas Disc Golf Association based in Wichita.
He said that the purpose of the association was to organize and promote the Oz Tour, a disc golf extravaganza that promotes 22 tournaments in 18 cities.
The tour started in 1989. It has grown steadily since then.
"As far as I know, we play every known course in the state," Kassner said.
Kassner said that while the sport was most popular in the metropolitan areas of Kansas, towns as small as Stockton, with a population of 1,507, had courses as well.
"As soon as an area gets a course, the sport seems to catch on," Kassner said.
The Oz Tour will arrive in Lawrence on April 28 with a tournament in Centennial Park at Ninth and Iowa streets.
Two other tournaments will take place in Lawrence on July 26 and 27. The tournaments are part of the Sunflower State Games and are open to doubles on the 26th and singles on the 27th.
John Huntington, the State Games disc golf commissioner, said he anticipated a good turnout for the event. The cost of entering the tournament is $17 for one day or $20 for both days. Entry brochures can be picked up at several locations in town, including all Dillons stores.
"It's a real economical sport. It is certainly cost-effective, as opposed to regular golf," Huntington said.
That is one of the reasons the game is growing in popularity, especially among college students, he said.
According to Tom Sitanggan, a salesman at Discovering the World, a maker of discs in Bueno Park, Calif., a beginner could get a good start for less than $20. The discs cost between $7 and $10 each.
There are several types of discs. Drivers, putters and discs that swerve in different directions are available.
"A mid-range driver and a putter are what a person starting out definitely needs," Sitanggan said.
A high-level player may have up to and above 20 discs.
"Once you get to that level, you have to learn the flight characteristics of each disc. It is truly a skill," Sitanggan said.
But for the average weekend golfer, the skills of the game are not so important.
"This is only my second time out," said Dave Grimes, who was playing with Midgley.
While Grimes, Lawrence junior, did well
throwing the disc long distances, his lack of experience was evident in his short game.
"Keeping the disc low and level is the hardest part for me," Grimes said after a shot missed the target.
But Grimes' friends gave him encouragement, and he said that he is sure to play again.
Dave Grimes, Lawrence junior, reacts as his frisbee sails over the target.
Matt Fickner / KAN$AN
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