Disc golf popularity shows at tournament

For more than a decade, disc golf has been gaining popularity in and around Jefferson City.

A course has been in place at Binder Park for many years, but in recent years, courses have opened at County Park and in Holts Summit.

Another course is now open in Eugene and area disc golf enthusiasts started off 2019 with a tournament at the Birdz Nezt.

Nearly 70 people, in teams of two, ventured out in the freezing weather, Tuesday. Many were members of the Jefferson City Disc Golf Club, but participants also came from Columbia, California and the Lake of the Ozarks.

Organizer Mike Davenport said disc golf knows no boundaries when it comes to weather and, in recent years, several area disc golf clubs in the past have organized tournaments during the first few weeks of the year.

“Many times we’re getting together to raise funds for charity,” Davenport said. “We always have what we call The Ice Bowl at the start of February. Last year, it was well below zero and we still had a good crowd.”

John Birdno and his brother, Scott, built the Birdz Nest course seven months ago. John credited Davenport with getting him interested in the sport.

“It’s strangely addictive,” Birdno said. “I sunk a 60-foot shot when I went out the first time and, after we got done, I bought what I needed and have been playing ever since.”

Those who play disc golf said it is a great way to get more active, if that’s one of your New Year’s resolutions. The sport is also far less expensive than the traditional game of golf.

The game shares many similarities to golf. Players use different discs for different purposes. Some fly farther, while some are more stable for up-close accuracy. A throw off the tee pad is a “drive,” and close-up tosses are “putts.” A hole in one is called an “ace” in disc golf.

If someone were to play a regular 18-basket course, Birdno said it would probably take about two hours to complete the game.

“It’s a great way to be out in nature and enjoy the outdoors,” said player Chirs Thompson, of Jefferson City. “It is very competitive and challenging and there’s a great camaraderie among the players.”

Many players were excited about the announcement Monday that The Professional Disc Golf Association named Columbia as the host of the PDGA Tim Selinske United States Masters Championship in May 2020. They hope this will bring more Mid-Missouri interest for the sport.

Now that they’ve installed this course, the Birdno’s are trying to get funds to put another course in the Eugene area.

For more information about the disc golf course or other events at The Birdz Nezt, visit their Facebook page. For more information about the Jefferson City Disc Golf Club, visit their Facebook page or jeffcitydiscgolf.com.