Fulton Disc Golfers club aims to attract more interest in disc golf

Group to hold tournament geared toward both beginners and experts

Jerome Ciolli of California, Missouri follows through on a toss during the Ice Bowl disc golf fundraiser in February at Veterans Park. The Fulton Disc Golfers club will host another tournament on May 9.
Jerome Ciolli of California, Missouri follows through on a toss during the Ice Bowl disc golf fundraiser in February at Veterans Park. The Fulton Disc Golfers club will host another tournament on May 9.

The Fulton Missouri Disc Golfers group is hoping its upcoming tournament will attract beginners to try out the sport. For the tournament, each registered participant will receive two discs when they arrive, which Alan Combs with Fulton Missouri Disc Golfers said will help "level the playing field."

"The cool part about this is that the disc you're playing with, no one within the tournament has played with before," Combs said. "You haven't played with the disc you're playing with that day so even beginners can somewhat compete with those who have been playing for a long time because they're all playing with new discs."

The tournament is a two-disc challenge that Vibram puts on, Combs said. Combs will order discs from Vibram and hand them out the day of the tournament: May 9 at Fulton's disc golf course in Veteran's Park. The tournament is open to all ages and will have separate men's and women's divisions. It will also have a youth division for children under 13 years of age. The winner of each division gets invited to a national tournament, for which their entry fee is already paid. Currently, there is only person signed up in the women's division and one in the youth division.

Combs said the group previously held a three-disc challenge which, he added, attracted a lot of people who had never played before.

"You're going to be playing with experienced players as well as people who haven't played much," Combs said.

Since the challenge provides the discs, he said it has an added value for participants, especially beginners.

"You're giving them the discs to play with which they wouldn't necessarily have. Immediately when you play, you're getting stuff for what you're paying for. Some tournaments you pay to play and have to bring your own stuff," Combs said.

Those who participate will get to keep the discs that come with their $30 registration fee. Combs said they can then take those discs and play for free in the park anytime they'd like.

"This really gives everything you need to get introduced to the sport as well as putting you around some people who have been playing for a while and you get to make those connections," Combs said.

Combs said one of the Fulton Disc Golfers has been playing close to 20 years. When asked what advice he has for newcomers to the sport, Combs said he recommends getting connected with more experienced disc golfers. The Fulton Missouri Disc Golfers club plays at 3 p.m. on Sundays. Combs said all are welcome to play.

"We help each other out, we teach each other things, we work together, learn together and just have fun," Combs said.

The Fulton Missouri Disc Golfers club has officially been around since about November, Combs said. Fulton added its 18-hole disc golf course in Veterans Park in 2009. Combs said the city's Parks and Recreation Department maintains the park and the course well. Fulton's course, Combs added, is a great course for beginners. He said the course is convenient to get to and well maintained. He also said the course's open format and size provides obstacles while also providing opportunities for beginners to learn basic techniques.

Registration for the May 9 tournament closes Monday. The fee is $30. To register, visit discgolfscene.com/fultonbirdiebash2015.