Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Disc Golfers In Rockwood

On Monday the sun was out, but it was darned cold. It may not be the best conditions for a day in the park, but it doesn't keep the disc golfers inside. At least five disc golfers stopped in to say hello. The park right next to the cafe, Vance Park, became the site of a disc golf course last Winter and has been a blessing to my business as well as the surrounding community.

Disc Golf (a.k.a. Frisbee golf) is set up at various sites throughout the state, country and the world. In Rockwood we have two courses - 1 at Rockwood Central Park and 1 at Vance Park. Until the disc golfers started coming to Vance Park I never understood what a large following this sport had, nor how organized it has become. One of my disc golf friends, Forest, drinks his coffee and waits inside until he sees other golfers arrive at the course where he can go join them. One of these friends is a gentleman named Murray. He moved here from England a short time ago and explains that he has played courses in and out of the U.S. Forest invited my boyfriend and I to try a game with him this summer out in Vance Park. I was a skeptic, not seeing how throwing a frisbee at a metal post and basket could provide entertainment, but I have changed my view.

Once out on the course, cares become a thing of the past as you have a chance to simply enjoy the park at a casual pace and with targets that take you to each edge of the park. You cannot help but enjoy the small differences in terrain through each section because each one of those trees, hills, or fields become part of your game. It all seems like a great way to pass the time until you watch an experienced disc golfer. At one tee we asked Forest where the hole was, since it wasn't in view. He explained it was offset by being around the corner and near a fenced in area quite a distance away. Then Forest chose an appropriate disc to use (discs are like golf clubs and you can choose between putters, drivers, etc.) and threw. This disc not only travelled quite a distance, but rounded the corner at the right time, and landed not more than 6 inches from the hole. At this point I learned how a casual pasttime can create a skilled sportsman, as it had with Forest. The grin on his face showed his pride in mastering the sport.

The disc golfers held their Winter Tournament at Vance Park less than 2 weeks ago with over 65 golfers competing. Disc golfers are a friendly and dedicated group who bring positive activity and additional eyes into our parks. Vance Park had been eyed as a site by Disc golfers for quite some time, but initially the site was refused by the City Parks Department because there were trilliums in the park and they were thought to be a protected species. The dedication of disc golfers, and especially Ty, allowed the disc golfers to bring in specialists who convinced the City that a disc golf course was possible. Thanks to their persistence, one more step to improve Rockwood is in place.

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