Disc golf gaining players, fans in P.E.I.

It's a relatively new sport for the area, and now disc golf players are trying to increase its profile on P.E.I.

The Eastern Canadian Disc Golf Championship is happening on the Island July 8 - 10at two courses:Strathgartney HighlandsGolf CourseandHillcrest Farmsin Bonshaw.

The president of the Maritime Disc Golf Association, Ben Smith of Pugwash, N.S., spent some time Tuesday promoting it to listeners of CBC Radio's Mainstreet.

Host Angela Walker put him on the spot: Which is better, disc golf or regular golf?

"Oh my goodness, it's not even a question!" Smith answered, nicely sidestepping the controversy.

But it's clear where his heart lies, ever since he first saw the sport on a trip to Colorado.

"17 years later and 120 courses in multiple courses around the world, I'm still just as hooked as I was after the first throw," he said enthusiastically.

Like golf, only different

The rules of disc golf are pretty much the same as regular golf, except instead of a club and golf ball, you throw a disc.

"There's a target, it's actually a basket that stands about five feet six inches above the ground, and has kind of a bloom of chains that hang down to the basket underneath it," said Smith. "So just like a golfer puts the ball in the hole, we put the disc in the basket."

The discshave a familiar look to them.

"Clearly it's much easier to understand and it makes more sense when we call it Frisbee golf, but there's a legal ramification with that because Frisbee is a trademarked name, and what we use are similar to Frisbees, but they are discs," explained Smith.

"They're actually weighted heavier, and they fly further, and they're capable of more manipulation, so you can turn a disc left or right in the air, depending on the type of throw you use, or the type of disc. You can have a certain disc for wind, you can have a certain disc for not rolling away, or rolling if you choose to."

Big-time enthusiasts might carry several discs,but Smithwaskeen to point out that it can be a far more relaxed, fun game as well, and one that's growing quickly.

For all ages, skill levels

"Sweden last year built 95 courses in a single year," said Smith. "I have two children, eight and seven, and they play with us on a regular basis. I have taught seniors in various places around the Maritimes. We say the age range is six to 106. The game is slow-paced in one regard, as in you can walk the course on your own time and do what you would like. Or it can be played at a high level."

Anyone who wants to see that higher level is invited to watch the Eastern championships, which is expected to draw about 100 top players from New England, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

The association is also doing local promotion around the event, including free workshops in Charlottetown by Smith.

Many people don't even realize the quality of the Island courses, Smith said.

"Lo and behold, Bonshaw, P.E.I., has one of the world's absolute best disc golf courses.It's clearly in the top two or three in Canada, top five or 10 in North America."

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