UK Junior Disc Golf Day

UK Junior Disc Golf Day 2015

We all know how important the next generation of disc golfers will be to our sport here in Scotland and across the UK. Encouraging Junior participation by engaging our schools to use disc golf as a resource should be paramount in our quest to grow the sport. Using the wise words of Ed Headrick (the founder of modern disc golf) he writes in an open letter to schools and Universities,

“……. Disc Golf is an academic resource, it teaches an amazing peace of mind to students who have never been taught to deal on a one on one basis with themselves. In Disc Golf, …. students learn to participate in an activity that indeed changes their lives. My Frisbee taught millions of people to relate to another person through the medium of simply playing catch with a piece of plastic. Disc Golf teaches them to go one step further to play a simple and satisfying game with themselves, again with a piece of plastic……” 

 Junior age players should make up a large percentage of new players to the sport and I feel the UK is lacking badly in this area and as a result our player base is on average older than most. As new courses are going in the ground it will be vital to grow a young player base to secure and evolve the courses potential. The future of our sport is Junior dependent, and laying a path to develop these players should be the main priority of all clubs. Instead of knocking the Status Quo I’d rather offer possible example of an event that will assist in solidifying a foundation for our sport to build on.

 I would like to challenge each course manager/club to host an event in 2015 on or about June 19th, 20th or 21st. This event would be a UK Junior Disc Golf Day and should be a fun, low cost, disc giving, and demonstration type event to raise awareness about our lifelong sport. In Scotland these dates are generally on or around a school sponsored ‘Health Week’ which should help open the door for marketing your event. I have found schools very willing to engage in discussing new activities that challenge pupils. Especially in regards to disc golf, as we are a year round all weather sport families can learn and enjoy together.

  Each event will be unique but I would suggest a 12-hole stroke play tournament followed by a putting and distance competition with maybe a few rounds of ring of fire for laughs. Volunteers would need to be organized (parents) so each group of 4/5 competitors had a chaperone to supervise and keep score. If we all focus our efforts for one day a year on a junior event I can guarantee we will need to adjust and lengthen our courses in 5 years to continue to challenge these new players.

 If we all hosted on the same weekend we could compile and compare our tournament results and post the top finishers in the country. Simply report your event results to me and I will process the results. When we get closer to the event we will host a webpage to be an access point for information by listing all courses that are participating and proper contact details.

UK Junior Disc Golf Day June (19th-21st) 2015

-12 Hole Stroke Play Tournament

-Putting Competition (1 attempt)

-Distance Competition (3 attempts)

£5 +/-

Awards and Trophies for division winners

Divisions-

Junior <=13

Junior <=19

Players Pack (disc,stickers etc.)

Report results to;

[email protected]

 I’m discussing this event in broad strokes in order encourage new ideas as well as participation; let’s refine this together. There are a few points I’d like to make regarding an event like this, I feel an entry fee is necessary to command respect for the event, free events are too easy to back out of, even the smallest entry fee will work. Speak with your local disc golf dealer and ask nicely (then demand) for a merchandise discount to allow you to grow the sport in their name.  If your local connection will not comply I represent more than one company that will be happy to assist, feel free to get in touch. Also using putters and mid-range discs as trophies works out great and is appreciated. This event should take no longer than 3 hours.

 We hosted an event like this a few weeks ago, The ELGSDGI and it was well received by the competitors and the parents. We had 9 competitors this year representing 4 schools. We hope to double attendance next year as well as expand to a boys and girls division within each Junior division.

 Please join us in hosting a UK Junior Disc Golf Day in 2015. Together we can grow the sport and teach the next generation that disc golf deserves their attention as a lifelong sport of the future.

 Give us a call if you are interested in hosting a UK Junior Disc Golf Day in 2015. We would be more than happy to assist you develop a unique plan to fit your goals.

Cheers