The birdies have been flocking at disc golf courses across the region this summer. And that is great news for local youth, and the future of the sport.
Thanks to a partnership between the Parkland Association of Disc Golf and LR Future Insurance & Investments for every birdie recorded at a recognized tournament, a loonie was put into a pool with a goal at season end to buy a starter disc for a number of youth.
“It was an idea the Association had early this year. We wanted to give something back to the community in some way, and help develop the sport’s future at the same time,” said Calvin Daniels, president of the PADG. “We thought about a way to get discs into the hands of youngsters, and when we approached LR Future they jumped at the chance to partner with us.”
“We loved the idea of helping youth become active in a sport their whole family can be involved with,” said Laurie Renton with LR Future. “Disc golf is clearly growing in the area, and we just wanted to be part of that too.”
The tournament season started in May in Fort Qu’Appelle and has seen events held from Katepwa Provincial Park, to Springside, Kelvington and a number of other courses.
“We’ve had a great summer in terms of events with players from as far away as Saskatoon, Regina and The Pas, MB., taking part,” said PADG Tournament Chair Trevor Lyons.
“And the players have hit their share of birdies, eclipsing 500 at some point at the Grain Millers Trilogy Challenge in Yorkton.”
The discs will be distributed to area youth through the Big Brothers Big Sisters. The local organization currently serve over 250 children annually through mentoring relationships mentoring in the communities of Yorkton, Melville, Churchbridge, Esterhazy, Langenburg and Rocanville.
“We were looking at a way to get the discs into the hands of youth across as much of our region as we could, and Big Brothers Big Sisters was a great fit, as they serve youth in a number of area communities,” said Calvin Daniels PADG President.
“Certainly the organization does a lot of great work with youth, and this is a way to help them. Disc golf should be a great activity for the youth and their ‘Bigs’,” agreed Renton.
Daniels said that is one of the great things about the sport, it can be played by anyone.
“I’m 57 and still play. I even made a couple of tournament finals this season,” he said. “But, I’m not the oldest player using our local course, and we see children out with parents all the time.
“You can aspire to be the next Rick Wysocki, or Simon Lizotte, or Paul McBeth, the current top-ranked players in the world, or just play Sunday afternoons for fun. Disc golf is affordable and accessible for all. We even had a wheelchair player at the Sandy Beach Tournament this summer.”
Irma Van De Bon, Executive Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yorkton and Area, said she is excited by the discs for youth in the program.
“This is great. We are always looking for activities for our matches to enjoy, and disc golf gets them outside and active so it’s perfect match,” she said. “Our youth are going to be thrilled getting a disc.”
Since some 50 little brothers and sisters will be getting a disc, their ‘bigs’ will of course need discs too.
“We didn’t want to forget the ‘bigs’,” said Daniels. “And thanks to Cab Clothing we are going to help them get a disc too.”
Daniels explained the ‘Bigs’ of the little brothers and sisters getting LR Future discs will receive a discount coupon at Cab Clothing to help them get their first disc, so they can be ready to take their ‘littles’ out on a course.
“What a great program, getting kids into a great sport and helping the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization. We were happy to do our part,” said Aaron Kienle, with Cab Clothing.
And just to bring everything together a fun doubles tournament where the bigs and littles will team up for a day of disc golf is in the work for spring 2018.
“It’s just a natural to bring them all together to build their enjoyment of the sport using their new discs,” said Daniels.
Mark Zawerucha Residential Real Estate Specialist at Remax Blue Chip Realty - Yorkton, is coming on-board as a key tournament sponsor.
“I’ve been a fan of the efforts of the disc golf community for a while, and I am a huge proponent of activities for youth and families, so it was a good match,” he said. “This program is outstanding in getting youth active outdoors, and the tournament will be a great day that I’m happy to be a part of.”
The discs will be ordered in the next few weeks, and will be in the hands of youth for spring 2018.
