Kienle smoking hot in the Asessippi heat

Plus-30 degree temperatures and the always technical Asessippi National Disc Golf Course proved a challenging combination at a weekend of events at Asessippi Beach and Campground on the weekend.

In fact before the weekend was over eight discs would be claimed by the course, six lost in the trees, and two to the waters of the Asessippi River.

“The hot weather was definitely a factor, and the wind on day two, but that’s all part of an event scheduled months earlier, you play through whatever weather Mother Nature throws at you,” said Trevor Lyons, Tournament Director, with the Parkland Association of Disc Golf.

“The weather might have been more moderate, although riding my golf cart it wasn’t so bad,” added Rick Goraluk, co-owner of the campground and course. “And a local wedding kept a few of the local throwers at home, but for only our second annual event we were satisfied. I think everybody had a lot of fun.”

Saturday the course hosted its annual Parkland Association of Disc Golf Tournament Series event.

The opening round left players drenched with sweat, and questioning their fortitude to return to the hilled course for a second 18 after lunch.

But the golfers did head out, with Mark Kienle from Wadena, SK., handling the heat the best throwing a minus-two 112 to take first place.

“I am really happy I was able to make it to this tournament and play this course,” said Kienle.

“The course itself was challenging with lots of areas to get into trouble; trees, bushes, out-of-bounds, and straight drop off slopes. However that’s what makes a really fun course to play on, with challenging holes like 1, 4, 8 and 15. There is something for everyone.”

Kienle said the key to his win came down to trying to stay steady through two rounds.

"I had lots of the same type of golf as everyone else, I lost a couple discs (one was found :) took some bogies,” he said. “But I kept it consistent, I shot the same score in each round."

That said Kienle said he tried to handle the challenges as best he could by “playing smart golf, there is a lot of open ground but with o.b (out-of-bounds), rough to keep you on the fairway. So if you want to go for it, you will get caught in some rough.

“Smart play can save some of those strokes.”

He added, “the elevation changes can mess with you judgment, holes seem shorter/longer and you can really fade hard downhill usually not in the direction you want.”

Kienle was asked what he sees as the strength of his game.

“Playing for the fun of the game,” he said. “I really try not to get down on my game. As long as I can have fun playing with other disc golfers it's a good round.”

In the end Kienle said it was a great event to be part of.

“Overall this was a great tournament and I would like to thank the Asessippi National Disc Golf Course for hosting the tournament as well as; Asessippi Beach and Campground, PADG and their members, Trevor the tournament director and Calvin Daniels. It's awesome to see the sport of disc golf growing,” he said.

Josh Gregory of Melville, SK place second with a plus-six 120, with Lukas Leimhoffer of Inglis, MB, third with a plus-12 126.

The top two finishers, as PADG members qualified for the Farrell Agencies Champions Challenge to be held this year at the Asessippi National course in October. Kienle becomes the fifth qualifier for the event, with Gregory having already made the final with an early second place finish at the Home Inn & Suites Open event in Bredenbury, SK.

Topping the ladies was Becky Musqua of Melville. SK. with a 165 (+51).

Golfers didn’t have long to rest before heading out Saturday evening for a ‘best throw’ doubles event, with the single rule that teams had to use nine tee throws for each member of the pair.

Top spot went to the duo Sebastian and Lukas Leimhofer with a 51 (-6).

Rick Goraluk and Karl Kreutner both of Inglis, MB teamed to shoot a 54 (-3) for second while the Yorkton, SK. pair of Trevor Lyons and Calvin Daniels shot a 60 (+3) for third.

Sunday morning, there were clouds, wind and a shower, awaiting disc golfers going out for a single-round fun tourney.

Lyons would top the field at 67 (+10). Karl Kreutner - 69 (+12) was second, and Gregory 69 (+12), the tie being broken on a count back.

Plans are already under way for the third annual event in 2018, to be held July 14 and 15.

“Before this year’s event was even over we were discussing next year,” said Goraluk. “While we will make final decisions into the next year we are looking at a barbeque supper Saturday night, maybe live entertainment that night too, and some events like a bull’s eye shoot off from the big hill to the ball field below, which players will know about.”

Calvin Daniels, chair of the PADG said he is certainly supportive of adding a social aspect to some of the summer tournament events.

“The chance to camp out with a bunch of our players, eat some good food, listen to some music, talk some disc golf and have some fun is just a great idea,” he said. “We want disc golf to be competitive at our tournaments, but there is a place for family and camaraderie too.

“Rick and Karen are great hosts, and with the campground we hope it will be a weekend must where players pack their discs in the camper, or grab their tents and join us for the annual tournament.”