Local support strong for Kelvington event

The course was brand spanking new with installation completed only the day before, when disc golfers took to the Billy Haas Memorial Disc Golf in Kelvington for an inaugural ‘Potluck Chuck Tournament’.

The potluck concept for the Sunday, Aug. 13 tournament proved ideal for the first event at the nine-basket course as each entrant provided a prize, meaning even beginners were assured of taking something home at the end of the day.

So following an early morning workshop showing a number of locals the basics of the game, the event started with seven first-time players taking part.

“It was great to see the response to the tournament,” said Lorelle Holowaty Halderman, Community, Culture, and Recreation Development Manager with the Town of Kelvington. “The idea of a disc golf course for the community had been discussed for quite some time, and we finally took the plunge to install a course this summer with some guidance from the Parkland Association of Disc Golf (PADG).

“Seeing so many locals out trying the sport and taking part in the dedication of the course to the memory of Billy Haas was gratifying. It shows there will be great support for disc golf here.”

Calvin Daniels, president of the PADG said the local involvement was just what they hope happens with every course in the area.

“It was great to see the turn out. The workshop was well-attended and when a number of them decided to play in the tournament that was great,” he said.

“A successful course is more than just installing the baskets or tonals. They do require care and feeding. The grass needs cut and workshops have to be organized locally so the local grassroots player base can be developed and nurtured.”

After a double round the scores were tallied and the final four was a Kienle brother’s affair, plus one.

Aaron Kienle of Yorkton led through the opening 18, including establishing a solid new course record on the second nine, shooting a minus-four 25, to end up with minus-two 56 going into the championship nine.

Mark Kienle from Wadena was second through 18 with a minus-one 57, Doug Kerr of Yorkton, SK.,was a plus-one 59 and rounding out the foursome for the championship round was Jason Kienle of Kuroki, SK., with a plus-two 60.

Aaron Kienle would slip in the final nine, giving way to brother Mark who would shoot a championship nine 27 to finish the 27 with a minus-three 84 to top the field, one stroke better than Aaron’s 85, as he shot a 29 on the final nine.

Jason Kienle also shot a championship nine 29 to finish third with an overall plus-two 89, with Doug Kerr fourth shooting a championship nine 33 to finish with a plus-five 92.

The top woman in the event was Rachelle Kienle of Kuroki, SK., with a plus-nine 38.

Aaron Kienle said the course had its challenges.

“At first, wow there's a lot of blind shots from the tee boxes,” he said. “During the second round though I really enjoyed that challenge as well as the creek, hill, and the range of distances of each of the holes.” He added that created the biggest challenge of the course. “Driving the holes where you're guessing where the basket is exactly.”

Aaron Kienle said the event was a gratifying one for more than his solid play.

“It was a really fun day in Kelvington,” he said. “Thanks to the community for hosting, the volunteers for their hard work, and all the local people that came out to participate and support the new course and first event.

“Also great to see the PDGA members in attendance the dedication of the organization and its members is incredible and the reason this sport continues to grow in our region.”

Mark Kienle said attacking a new course was interesting.

“It was a lot of fun, I had the privilege of coming out during one of the planning and marking days for the course, so it was really cool to see the baskets in and play the course for the first time,” he said.

So did being in on the design prove a benefit Sunday?

“It was a really tight match, it came down to the final hole, a long 515ft par 4,” said Mark Kienle. “I was able to hold on to a one stroke lead.” He added the course has its challenges throughout.

“There are a few blind holes on this course, so for the first round it was hard knowing how to play those holes well.”

Mark Kienle noted that the second par-four on the course is a definite bear.

“Hole 4 is a long 500-foot-plus shot that runs parallel to the O.B (out-of-bounds) creek, tall grass past the creek and the basket is tucked in by a tree line,” he said.

Aaron Kienle said number nine proved his nemesis.

“The length is deceptive, the mandatory pole creates a tight spot to go through unless you want to contend with crossing the creek twice,” he said, adding it was his downfall on the championship nine to slip to second.

As it was Aaron Kienle said he had a touch of luck on the previous number eight, on the second round of the day that helped him make the final four.

“During the second round I released my drive late on number eight and it looked like it was going to be deep in a bush that a bunch of others had lost their discs in,” he recalled. “Luckily it was right in the clearing where the basket is and it was an easy putt, (for a birdie).”

But it was a par three that might have been the difference for Mark Kienle.

“On basket eight of the final round I made a 30-foot putt to take a stroke up,” he said. “I think I was more shocked than anyone after over shooting the pin on the tee off.”

The event qualifies Aaron Kienle, as a Parkland Association of Disc Golf (PADG) member, for the Farrell Agencies Champions Challenge to be held at the Asessippi Beach and Campground course Oct. 15. Mark Kienle was already into the Championship having qualified through an earlier event.

“My brothers Mark and Jason and great friend Jeremy, (Taylor), have all qualified so it gives me opportunity to play some more disc golf with them,” said Aaron Kienle. “Hopefully with us all there supporting each other we'll see some success in the Champions Challenge.”

Rounding out the prizes at the tournament was Adam Daniels of Yorkton taking the Asessippi Beach and Campground sponsored closest-to-the-pin award, and the Yorkton Dodge best drive award went to Mark Kienle.