Disc golf is a growing sport that has players from a diverse background. If you are not familiar with disc golf, it is similar to ball golf. The goal is to throw discs, comparable to a Frisbee, towards a target, instead of a hole. The target is a large metal basket with chains to catch the discs. Identical to golf, the goal is to get the disc into the basket in as few strokes as possible. Instead of a driver, fairway woods, irons and a putter; the disc golfer uses various discs depending on the distance from the hole, obstacles in the way or weather conditions. There are drivers, mid-range discs and putters to choose from.
The West Kentucky Disc Golf Club held an event at Mike Miller Park in Draffenville, KY on Saturday August 9th. The club took part in an international event known as the Trilogy Challenge. The event is offered by disc golf clubs across the United states as well in foreign countries like Canada, France, Finland, Germany, Norway, South Korea, Sweden and The Netherlands. The club is made up of people from all over the Tri-State region and includes chapters in Paducah, Marshal County and Mayfield.
The reason it is goes by the name "trilogy" is that each player is only allowed to throw three discs; one putter, one driver and one mid-range disc. It is also called "Trilogy" because three, up and coming, companies in the world of disc golf; Dynamic Discs, Latitude 64 and Westside discs; each provided one of the discs to be used. The discs used are unreleased and only available by playing in the event.
Thirty players signed-up to compete in this event. The format saw each participant play 18 holes in the morning, break for lunch, and then play another 18 holes. Most of the players chipped in and brought side dishes and drinks to compliment the Simply Country Bar-B-Que that was donated by King's Brothers Grocery to make a potluck lunch for all who participated.
First round scores were higher than usual as most players had to get used to playing with three discs they had never used. The day started off with sprinkles and overcast skies. However it warmed up quickly and the sun came out to shed some light on the players. Several of the participants lost a disc in the water on hole number 15, this put them at a disadvantage as they only had two discs left to use.
However one player did quite well in spite of being handicapped from the start. Matt Lanier threw his first shot into the water and lost his driver, he is pictured looking for it. He played the rest of the day with only two discs and won the tournament with a total score of 99, which is nine strokes under par for the course at Mike Miller.
Players enjoyed the opportunity to try out three new discs and play with different individuals. Austin Scott said "I really liked both groups I played with, they were evenly matched and encouraging". Kevin LeNeave simply said "It was a lot of fun".
The club wanted to give a special thanks to all the people who helped organize the event. Chris Rawls, Kevin LeNeave and Anthony Albritton collected entry fees, Albritton had the title of tournament co-director as he coordinated with Dynamic Discs to get the packages ordered and Michael Kobel, the other co-director sorted and prepared all of the player packs and made arrangements for the lunch provided. The player packs contained three new unreleased discs (which are pictured) as well as some smaller gifts like a drink koozie, keychain lanyard, bag tag and mini-disc / place marker.
Lanier won the event and the grand prize of nine new discs, a new bag and the champion’s towel, while Kobel was given the spirit award, an award presented to the person who showed the best sportsmanship before, during and after the event. He received the banner for the event as a prize.
The final scores were very competitive and ended up as follows:
1. Matt Lanier-99
2. Sam DeVore-105
3. Eric Casteel-106
T-4. Neil E. Dawes-107
Neal MacPherson
T-6. Brian Horihan-110
Chris Rawls
8. Anthony Albritton-111
9 Mark Cook-116
10. Zack Browning-117
T-11. Adam Hunerkoch -118
Matt Pace
Ryan Messenger
Rodney Messenger
Rick Schramer
16. Cory Madole-119
T-17. Clayton France-120
Chris G
Jay Bouland
T-20. Michael Koebel Jr-122
Justin Taraba
Dan Getchell
Austin Scott
24. Kevin LeNeave-124
25. Brandon Dodd-127
26. Hunter Devine-133
