Ƶappis set to be the centre of the disc golf world in British Columbia on Saturday (Dec. 20) and Sunday (Dec. 21).
The inaugural British Columbia Disc Sport Society (BCDSS) duck golf tournament invades the Garibaldi Springs Golf Course and co-organizer Michelle Kruger said it’s been a long time coming for the growing sport.
Kruger and co-organizer Dax Braby are bringing ƵappStrikes Back to town and it’s likely to attract 70 players from all over the province.
Kruger said with two courses in Brackendale and one nearly completed at the new Sports Legacy Park, the sport is set to explode in Squamish.
“I think we really could become a hub because we have so much land here,” she said. “The potential is huge and it’s such a good family sport.”
The sport of disc golf is basically golf with Frisbees, as users “tee off” from a distance and have to reach a basket in the shortest amount of throws possible. For ƵappStrikes Back, golfers will be organized in different divisions but there will be 18 holes. Competitors play in groups of four to six and kick-off for Saturday’s competition is 8:30 a.m.
Kruger estimates it could take as much as two and a half hours to complete the course and said she hopes a disc golf course becomes a permanent fixture at Garibaldi Springs.
“I was talking to some of the workers at the Executive Suites and they said people ask about disc golf courses all the time at the front desk,” she said. “This has the potential to be one of the best disc golf courses in B.C. and could be an attraction to come here for the weekend and visit the other courses in Ƶappand Whistler.”
She said costs are fairly minimal for the sport, with around $3,500 needed for baskets. Kruger added Frisbees can range in price, but can also be very affordable.
She pointed out that she’s also looking to connect with representatives from the Sea to Sky Gondola to explore the potential for a course on their land.
“I know there is a course on Grouse Mountain and about 80 of us regular players bought passes to play there,” she said. “It would be a really nice addition to what they have up there.”
But for now, Kruger is focusing on ƵappStrikes Back and noted that her son Erik Wendland and her daughter Briana Ainsley are also representing Ƶappat the event.
“They’re both so good and it’s going to be exciting for them to play in their hometown,” she said. “There’s a few other locals playing and some already signed up from Whistler.”
The action continues on Sunday with a doubles event. Kruger explained that doubles pairings are random and it will be scored based on the best disc score system. She said the doubles event kicks off at 10 a.m.
She said registration will be accepted on the day of the event and costs vary depending on the division you compete in. Those wanting to register in advance can do so at www.disccellar.ca.
Discs are available at several local stores including Source for Sports, Canadian Tire and Wal Mart but Kruger said discs will also be available on site for all newbies.
For more information on the sport, visit www.discbc.com.