Disc golf tournament sees double the players, double the fun

Disc golfers of all skill levels and ages competed in the second annual Chamber II Rounds disc golf tournament on Wellington’s Disc Golf Course on Oct. 24.

Around 40 participants toted bags stuffed with neon discs across the course, navigating around Boxelder Creek and some inconveniently placed trees.

As registration for the tournament drew to a close, those players that pre-registered online received a “Players Pack” filled with goodies like a commemorative T-shirt, pet snacks, mini-discs, and a water bottle, along with complimentary breakfast and lunch.

The tournament began on the West 9 Course, near Rice Elementary School on Third Street and Mount Oxford streets. In 2012, Wellington carved the 2.5-mile course from some vacant city-owned land.

Top placing players had the chance to receive additional items like a disc golf bag, a hat and, of course, a trophy.

Wellington businesses that sponsored a disc golf player also had a chance to win a year-long membership to the Chamber of Commerce.

Danny Burdick of the Frisbee Golf Association and Ben Parsons coordinated the tournament. As Parsons passed out hole-assignments to the players, Burdick informed them about the general rules and regulations of the tournament.

“Keep in mind that the sidewalk and the creek remain out of bounds,” Burdick said.

The disc golf players competed one-on-one during two 18-hole rounds. During the first round, Burdick and Parsons mixed disc golf aficionados with the novices, then paired those with similar scores during the second round.

“We more than double the number of players and business sponsors this year,” Burdick said as he continued with his announcements.

He warned that the recent rain knocked out some of the bridges that cross Boxelder Creek, so those uncomfortable with crossing the terrain could follow the pathways instead.

“Remember, whoever has the most fun wins!” Burdick reiterated many times throughout the tournament.

As the players separated into groups of 10, Burdick reminded them to be respectful of the neighboring community.

“Please be courteous while you’re playing,” Burdick said. “If your Frisbee lands in someone else’s backyard, go up to the front door and ask before just going back there.”

One of the disc-golf experts offered advice to two of the novices in his group: “Whatever you do, don’t focus on the trees. I try not to focus on the trees, but if I do, I end up hitting them.”

Burdick said he hopes the tournament would continue to grow in the coming years. The Disc Golf Course plans to coordinate another tournament in April 2016, with additional plans to make the tournament into a yearly April event.

Proceeds from the tournament will help maintain the course, as well as benefit the Wellington Food Bank, Rocky Mountain Raptor Program and the Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to general upkeep, Burdick said he hopes some of the tournament money will be used to create an additional hole and redesign others on the course. With consistent maintenance, the disc golf course may draw more players to Wellington from throughout Northern Colorado and Wyoming, he said.