Disc golf is gaining popularity in Siouxland
By Christian Richardson, Journal staff writer | Posted: Monday, August 01, 2005
Joe Evans throws a disc while playing disc golf with Tim DeWolf, right, at Sioux City's Sertoma Park. (Staff photo by Tim Hynds)
Standing at the top of a steep Sertoma Park hill marked by a dirt path that leads down to the fairway, Joe Moser looked westward under a slight breeze and bright July sunlight.
The 20-year-old Moser saw the tall grass to the right, a clearing in the middle and the thick trees hiding Hole No. 1, which sits to the left.
He'd played the par 3, 430-foot hole countless times since the disc golf course opened in the summer of 2002. He was on the Mayor's Youth Commission when area teens talked city officials into allowing nine baskets to be plotted on the land.
For Moser, disc golf has come a long way since the days when he and his friends threw Frisbees at trees and light poles, which acted as goals. For many teens and adults, the sport has slowly gained ground in Northwest Iowa.
With a flick of the wrist and a thrust of his right arm, he released a yellow disc using a "chicken wing" motion. The disc flew into the sky and like a soaring bird, hit its peak and dove toward the grassy fairway.
According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, the sport is still relatively new in this part of the state but with courses opening up over the last five years there is potential for growth. Along with Sioux City there now are courses in Le Mars, Cherokee, Lakeside, and four other Iowa towns.
All total there are 102 disc golf courses in Iowa, placing it second in the country to Texas' 123, said Steve Kenton, Iowa coordinator for the Professional Disc Golf Association.
The sport began growing in Iowa in the late 1990s, said the 37-year-old Kenton, who's based in Des Moines. Last year the World Championships was held in Iowa's capital.
The reason for the rise in popularity of the sport that marries ball golf and Frisbee is unclear. Moser said it's relaxing, not competitive and doesn't require a high-level of skill.
Dr. David Paulsrud, the man who had the first disc golf course in Sioux City, believes the sport is good for the body.
"It's good exercise," said the 70-year-old Paulsrud, a retired orthopedic surgeon. "You need a sport where you do a lot of walking and don't have a cart."
The draw for some people young and old is the fact that essentially disc golf is free to play. All you need to do is buy the discs, said Debbie Parks, Thinker Toys manager. Thinker Toys, 4400 Singing Hills Blvd., supplies scorecards for the Sertoma Park course and sells the discs.
As a ball golf putter differs from a driver, the discs also are designed for short, mid-range and long distances.
Thinker Toys sells 37 Innova brand discs ranging from $9 to $20 a piece, Parks said.
Disc golf carries a simple concept -- a lot like ball golf. The disc must go into a target, which is actually a pole-bound wire basket or cage with chain link often connecting the basin to the top of the goal.
However, as warranted, some people find the task daunting.
"It's a pretty exact science to try to get it into that stupid little basket," said Linda Phillips, executive director of Siouxland CARES. Phillips is also in charge of the Mayor's Youth Commission.
The Sertoma course is spread throughout the park located off Singing Hills Boulevard. Moser said the first three holes provide the greatest difficulty as the hills present an obstacle.
The PDGA assesses a similar view of the nine holes stating on its Web site that the "course curves around and over very large hills. Very steep in places. Some holes in very woody/bushy areas."
Lakeside's nine-hole course at Mandeville Park is flat but also near the woods. Nevertheless church groups have been playing the course that opened due to local interest in 2004, said Justin Yarosevich, Storm Lake, Iowa, administrative services director. The Lakeside course is on Lakeside land but was funded by the city of Storm Lake.
As Moser attacked Hole No. 2 -- a par 3, 330-foot approach -- he explained the enjoyment of the sport.
It's about being with friends, joking around and having a good time, Moser said.
"I think it will continue to grow as people grow with it," he said.
Christian Richardson can be reached at (712) 293-4219 or christianrichardson@siouxcityjournal.com.
The 20-year-old Moser saw the tall grass to the right, a clearing in the middle and the thick trees hiding Hole No. 1, which sits to the left.
He'd played the par 3, 430-foot hole countless times since the disc golf course opened in the summer of 2002. He was on the Mayor's Youth Commission when area teens talked city officials into allowing nine baskets to be plotted on the land.
For Moser, disc golf has come a long way since the days when he and his friends threw Frisbees at trees and light poles, which acted as goals. For many teens and adults, the sport has slowly gained ground in Northwest Iowa.
With a flick of the wrist and a thrust of his right arm, he released a yellow disc using a "chicken wing" motion. The disc flew into the sky and like a soaring bird, hit its peak and dove toward the grassy fairway.
According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, the sport is still relatively new in this part of the state but with courses opening up over the last five years there is potential for growth. Along with Sioux City there now are courses in Le Mars, Cherokee, Lakeside, and four other Iowa towns.
All total there are 102 disc golf courses in Iowa, placing it second in the country to Texas' 123, said Steve Kenton, Iowa coordinator for the Professional Disc Golf Association.
The sport began growing in Iowa in the late 1990s, said the 37-year-old Kenton, who's based in Des Moines. Last year the World Championships was held in Iowa's capital.
The reason for the rise in popularity of the sport that marries ball golf and Frisbee is unclear. Moser said it's relaxing, not competitive and doesn't require a high-level of skill.
Dr. David Paulsrud, the man who had the first disc golf course in Sioux City, believes the sport is good for the body.
"It's good exercise," said the 70-year-old Paulsrud, a retired orthopedic surgeon. "You need a sport where you do a lot of walking and don't have a cart."
The draw for some people young and old is the fact that essentially disc golf is free to play. All you need to do is buy the discs, said Debbie Parks, Thinker Toys manager. Thinker Toys, 4400 Singing Hills Blvd., supplies scorecards for the Sertoma Park course and sells the discs.
As a ball golf putter differs from a driver, the discs also are designed for short, mid-range and long distances.
Thinker Toys sells 37 Innova brand discs ranging from $9 to $20 a piece, Parks said.
Disc golf carries a simple concept -- a lot like ball golf. The disc must go into a target, which is actually a pole-bound wire basket or cage with chain link often connecting the basin to the top of the goal.
However, as warranted, some people find the task daunting.
"It's a pretty exact science to try to get it into that stupid little basket," said Linda Phillips, executive director of Siouxland CARES. Phillips is also in charge of the Mayor's Youth Commission.
The Sertoma course is spread throughout the park located off Singing Hills Boulevard. Moser said the first three holes provide the greatest difficulty as the hills present an obstacle.
The PDGA assesses a similar view of the nine holes stating on its Web site that the "course curves around and over very large hills. Very steep in places. Some holes in very woody/bushy areas."
Lakeside's nine-hole course at Mandeville Park is flat but also near the woods. Nevertheless church groups have been playing the course that opened due to local interest in 2004, said Justin Yarosevich, Storm Lake, Iowa, administrative services director. The Lakeside course is on Lakeside land but was funded by the city of Storm Lake.
As Moser attacked Hole No. 2 -- a par 3, 330-foot approach -- he explained the enjoyment of the sport.
It's about being with friends, joking around and having a good time, Moser said.
"I think it will continue to grow as people grow with it," he said.
Christian Richardson can be reached at (712) 293-4219 or christianrichardson@siouxcityjournal.com.
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