MONTROSE -- With discs in hand, more than 80 golfers took aim at the 22-hole disc golf course in Baldridge Park this weekend for the Fourth Annual Montrose Open Disc Golf Tournament.
With players ranging from different levels of skills and ages participating in the tournament, the non-traditional game of disc golf has developed into a popular sport. With more than 500,000 players and 25,000 pro players, the game is among the fastest growing sports.
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The numbers at the Montrose tournament, which is sponsored by Montrose Area Merchants Association and Montrose Area Disc Golf Club, have followed the nationwide trend as the participants have increased immensely over the past four years. This year's tournament featured players traveling from as far away as Illinois and Wisconsin to participate in this B-Tier tournament -- which gives professional disc golfers points towards the PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association).
"Everybody understands the rules of golf and disc golf fits in there at a cheaper option. I have played ball-golf, but it is a little expensive for my taste. I like that this golf is free," said Max Maclay, from the Montrose Area Disc Golf club, who was also the tournament director.
While disc golf attracts a number of players each year because of the familiarity with traditional "ball" golf, it also has many of its own thrills.
"It's fun watching the disc fly, it's cool. I think anybody can pick up a disc and come out to play. You don't need special instructions to throw a disc," said John Boyers, the assistant tournament director.
While traditional golf costs money, disc golf is a cheaper version. It's usually free to play, except for the set of discs that the players need to purchase and the cost for each tournament.
"Just playing a round (of ball golf) is expensive -- just to play you're looking at $20, $50 a round to play. You can get everything you need in this sport for $20," said Steve Hardyman of Colorado Springs.
The game has attracted many members from other sports, but disc golf has developed more into a mix between Ultimate Frisbee and traditional "ball" golf.
"I used to play Ultimate (Frisbee) Š in college and just couldn't take the running around. Disc golf was a nice progression. It's golf and it's free, which is also a bonus. That is a definite attraction there, too," said Boyers.
While some players come from other sports, the game can be played by anybody and disc golfers always are willing to welcome anybody to their game, no matter age, gender or skill.
"Everybody is welcomed to play. It's a lot more laid-back than 'jock' sports and is open to everybody. Like ball-golf it doesn't matter how strong you are necessarily, it's about getting the timing and the rhythm down right," said T.J. Lawrence, a disc golfer from Glenwood Springs.
While the sport continues to grow, the number of women disc golfers is expected to grow with a push for them to play the sport.
"There is a big push for woman, so I think the women's numbers are going to come up quite a bit," said Kathy Hartman, the 2003 Amateur Disc Golf World Champion from Colorado Springs.
Like many in the disc golf community, the community in Montrose has developed into a cult-like gathering the last five to six years with around 50 regular members taking up the sport at Baldridge Park. The group lost one of its main players, Mark Reed, to cancer in December. He was one of the first players that introduced the sport to the Montrose community and many played this tournament in memory of Reed.
"Mark Reed was one of the main reasons disc golf is in Montrose, we thought it would be nice to play the tournament in memory of him," said Maclay.
Contact Jonathan Maness at jonathanm@montrosepress.com
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