Disc golf clinic held at Silver Creek Park
Tom Dombeck
Just go out and do it.
Those were the words of disc golf hall of famer and Minnesota native Chuck Kennedy, who was on hand for the clinic being put on ahead of the Silver Cup XVI which invades Manitowoc County this weekend.
The tournament begins Friday at Silver Creek Park before finishing up at Rollin' Ridge in Reedsville Saturday and Sunday.
Kennedy, a 2006 inductee as a course developer, says there's no better way to learn the sport than by trying.
"Get out there and do it," Kennedy said with a laugh. "Basically you can start playing with regular frisbees."
That's exactly what close to 200 participants did during the clinic at Silver Creek Thursday.
It's important for beginners to learn from the pros so they know what they're doing says Kennedy.
"One of the areas our sport needs more help is most of the courses are free so people go out and play for the first time without learning the rules and learn how to throw," Kennedy added. "Because we don't have pro shops like regular golf you have a situation people don't have as much fun because no one showed them how to play off the bat."
Disc golf is just like regular golf in that you play to par and try to place the disc in a hole or basket. The biggest difference being most courses, like Silver Creek, are free to play which allows more people to try out the sport.
"There are more courses that are free so you can play faster," Kennedy said. "We're actually seeing a lot of baby boomers, they're sliding over because it's less expensive and takes less time. And frankly there's some visceral feeling watching the disc fly, and where you want it, there's an enjoyment about that."
The cost is lower for disc golf because Kennedy said most courses are being built into areas that are already being mowed so the upkeep is minimal.
Three-time champion Des Reding, a Texas resident, feels the equipment is also much easier to afford for disc golf.
"It's free to play so I can play it with my nephews who are six or my mom who is in her 60s and I can play it as a professional," Reding said. "We can all play it at different levels and enjoy it...The biggest difference is the cost. You can pick up a disc for $10-15 while you need a whole set of clubs to play golf."
There's also the community aspect, Reding says.
"In the end disc golf is just part of someone's community," Reding added. "Once you teach someone to play and they can play for a lifetime."
That's something clinic participants and Manitowoc natives Matthew, 9, and Tyler, 13, Bonin are learning early on.
The brothers have been playing for a little over a year but enjoy the inclusiveness of the sport.
"Playing with my friends and family when I do it," Matthew Bonin said was the main reason he enjoys disc golf.
"Yeah, I can do it for a long time for fun," Tyler Bonin said of picking up the sport at an early age.
Kennedy gives credit to tournament director Jim Van Lanen Jr. for making the clinic, tournament and sport such a success in Manitowoc.
"I think the reason we have events in what you consider smaller market areas is the effort of the promoter," Kennedy said. "Jim Van Lanen has been an advocate for such a good time and has done such a nice job building the sport up. There might be good courses but they're not always good promoters and I think that's to his credit."
Van Lanen Jr. jumps at the chance to bring new players into the fold with the clinic and tournament.
"This is the best opportunity we have all year long to expose a recreational player to the professionals in the sport," Van Lanen Jr. said. "If you're in Manitowoc this weekend and you don't come down you're missing out."
It's more than just playing a sport which appeals to the average disc golfer Van Lanen Jr. says.
"The casual players want to come out and enjoy the park," Van Lanen said. "They want to enjoy the fresh air and woods. Enjoy watching the flight of the disc and have that success."
When the tournament is all said and done, Van Lanen Jr. expects over 2,000 spectators over the course of the weekend.