Disc golf tournament prevails through rain

Scott Diemler, of Jefferson City, prepares to take a shot during the sixth annual Trilogy Challenge on Saturday at Veteren's Memorial Park. Diemler was the defending champion of the 2018 tournament.
Scott Diemler, of Jefferson City, prepares to take a shot during the sixth annual Trilogy Challenge on Saturday at Veteren's Memorial Park. Diemler was the defending champion of the 2018 tournament.

Despite the rain, Saturday's disc golf tournament at Veteren's Memorial Park was a fun time for all involved.

The sixth annual Trilogy Challenge hosted by the Fulton Disc Golf Club took place on a soggy morning. The growing tournament was held on the park's 18-hole disc golf course.

"The rain this morning had me a little worried that people might start dropping out, but everyone showed up, it looks like," said Tim Rickerson, Fulton Disc Golf Club president and tournament organizer.

In Rickerson's first year as president, he said he was excited to put the tournament together.

While 50 people participated in this year's tournament, which is lower than last year's participation, Rickerson was still pleasantly surprised by this year's turnout.

"When we had pre-registration, I only had 28 people registered, and I ended up buying 50 (registration packets) hoping that we could sell some more," he said. "I was very grateful to see that we sold every single one."

Participation in the tournament cost $40 per person, which got each player two rounds of disc golf as well as three discs provided by the club. These three discs, a putter, mid-range and a driver, are the only discs allowed to be used in the tournament in order to create a more level playing field, Rickerson said.

Competitors participated in various divisions, which included open, for professionals; intermediate; 40 and up intermediate; recreational, for casual players; women; and juniors. Each division winner was given the prize of a brand new disc, and whoever had the best score among all of the divisions was rewarded with a prize of 15 discs and three bags.

"This is one of my favorite courses to play on. I come out and play with (the club) every Sunday," said Scott Diemler, of Jefferson City, who was the defending champion of 2018's tournament.

Scored like golf, the Fulton disc golf course is a 54-par course with each hole being a par three. Rickerson described the Fulton course as "very attackable," which is good for players of all skills.

This is Rickerson's seventh year of playing disc golf. He had to refrain from playing in the tournament to observe as an organizer, which he described as "difficult." However, he plans on playing in a tournament today, so sitting out the Fulton tournament out gave his arm a chance to rest.

"If I don't have anything going on the next day, I'd definitely love to play in the tournament next year," Rickerson said. "I wouldn't take any of the prizes, though. I just do it for fun."

Despite being one of the smaller clubs in the area, the Fulton Disc Golf Club wants people to enjoy playing at the tournament, regardless of skill level. Members of the club meet every Sunday for league play at Veteren's Memorial Park.

"I really hope (participants) enjoy the course and enjoy the community," Rickerson said. "Our big philosophy is we really want people to enjoy playing here and to come and have nothing but compliments and a good time.