Because of the pandemic, disc golf has gone from an unknown sport, to an exciting new platform for outdoor recreation in the Four Corners. Written by Donna Hewett
Learn More
Transcript
1
00:00:00,130 –> 00:00:02,430
The future of golf may
not be on the links,
2
00:00:02,430 –> 00:00:04,540
but out in them thar hills.
3
00:00:04,540 –> 00:00:07,560
The disc golf revolution has arrived.
4
00:00:07,560 –> 00:00:09,220
You’re watching the Local News Network,
5
00:00:09,220 –> 00:00:11,180
brought to you by Serious Texas Bar-B-Q
6
00:00:11,180 –> 00:00:13,010
and Southwest Eye Consultants.
7
00:00:13,010 –> 00:00:14,740
I’m Wendy Graham Settle.
8
00:00:14,740 –> 00:00:17,240
Disc golf was one of
those lesser known sports,
9
00:00:17,240 –> 00:00:19,110
at least prior to 2020.
10
00:00:19,110 –> 00:00:21,150
It emerged as a key recreation platform
11
00:00:21,150 –> 00:00:22,910
in the midst of the pandemic
12
00:00:22,910 –> 00:00:26,620
with its easy social distancing
and healthy competition.
13
00:00:26,620 –> 00:00:29,560
Yet as the virus dwindles
and the weather warms,
14
00:00:29,560 –> 00:00:31,646
players continue to
flood disc golf courses
15
00:00:31,646 –> 00:00:34,110
across San Juan County.
16
00:00:34,110 –> 00:00:37,680
Local disc golf enthusiast
Walter Gage spoke to us
17
00:00:37,680 –> 00:00:40,303
at the middle nine in
Lions Wilderness Park.
18
00:00:41,140 –> 00:00:43,170
It is becoming stupid popular.
19
00:00:43,170 –> 00:00:44,380
Every time we come out here,
20
00:00:44,380 –> 00:00:46,530
there’s more people out here playing.
21
00:00:46,530 –> 00:00:49,069
It’s great, and I hope the city fathers
22
00:00:49,069 –> 00:00:50,650
of Farmington are listening.
23
00:00:50,650 –> 00:00:52,180
We need more disc golf courses
24
00:00:53,150 –> 00:00:54,250
Easy, tiger.
25
00:00:54,250 –> 00:00:57,370
The County already has
six disc courses in place
26
00:00:57,370 –> 00:01:00,390
including those at San
Juan College and Berg Park.
27
00:01:00,390 –> 00:01:03,330
When the non-profit San Juan
Basin Disc Golf Club formed
28
00:01:03,330 –> 00:01:06,070
last summer, growth in
the sport solidified.
29
00:01:06,070 –> 00:01:08,288
The club plans to apply
for sponsorships and grants
30
00:01:08,288 –> 00:01:11,870
to offer more tournaments,
improve disc golf courses
31
00:01:11,870 –> 00:01:14,220
for members, and to
continue outreach programs
32
00:01:14,220 –> 00:01:15,610
in the community.
33
00:01:15,610 –> 00:01:18,330
Club President Jay Moss said he wants
34
00:01:18,330 –> 00:01:21,059
to see San Juan County
become a disc golf mecca
35
00:01:21,059 –> 00:01:23,770
for the Southwestern United States.
36
00:01:23,770 –> 00:01:26,979
For Gage, these guys are heroes.
37
00:01:26,979 –> 00:01:30,847
We’ve got a group now that
is doing a real good job.
38
00:01:30,847 –> 00:01:35,093
They’ve taken the steps to
get the non-profit status
39
00:01:35,093 –> 00:01:37,300
and get it done officially,
40
00:01:37,300 –> 00:01:41,900
and they are throwing tournaments
and putting on courses,
41
00:01:41,900 –> 00:01:43,220
temporary courses.
42
00:01:43,220 –> 00:01:45,930
Just tomorrow, they’re
going to be doing something
43
00:01:45,930 –> 00:01:48,330
out at Westland Park.
44
00:01:48,330 –> 00:01:50,850
Part of the thrill of disc
golf comes from the fear
45
00:01:50,850 –> 00:01:51,920
of trying it.
46
00:01:51,920 –> 00:01:55,540
Terrain is rugged and natural,
reigning from flat and rocky
47
00:01:55,540 –> 00:01:57,440
to extreme boulder hopping,
48
00:01:57,440 –> 00:02:00,200
which makes walking the
course as much of a challenge
49
00:02:00,200 –> 00:02:01,600
as playing it.
50
00:02:01,600 –> 00:02:04,360
Disc golf is played much
like traditional golf,
51
00:02:04,360 –> 00:02:05,766
but instead of a club and ball,
52
00:02:05,766 –> 00:02:10,290
players throw streamlined
plastic discs into metal baskets
53
00:02:10,290 –> 00:02:12,070
from varying distances.
54
00:02:12,070 –> 00:02:14,090
The object is to complete each hole
55
00:02:14,090 –> 00:02:16,200
in the fewest number of throws.
56
00:02:16,200 –> 00:02:18,770
While disc golf shares
many of golf’s rules,
57
00:02:18,770 –> 00:02:21,140
the sports are culturally distinct.
58
00:02:21,140 –> 00:02:23,640
Frisbee golf was invented in the 70s,
59
00:02:23,640 –> 00:02:27,370
possibly over a bong and
in-between college classes,
60
00:02:27,370 –> 00:02:28,900
but it shares the same joys
61
00:02:28,900 –> 00:02:31,140
and frustrations as traditional sport,
62
00:02:31,140 –> 00:02:35,880
and the same camaraderie, says
low handicapper Eric Russell.
63
00:02:35,880 –> 00:02:39,510
Yeah, disc golf in the
four corners is growing.
64
00:02:39,510 –> 00:02:42,313
We got new courses popping
up all over the place.
65
00:02:43,173 –> 00:02:45,890
So get involved. It’s very cool.
66
00:02:45,890 –> 00:02:49,170
It’s free in Farmington, and
you don’t need a tee time.
67
00:02:49,170 –> 00:02:51,750
Most courses are open from dawn to dusk.
68
00:02:51,750 –> 00:02:53,700
No alcoholic beverages are allowed
69
00:02:53,700 –> 00:02:55,960
and dogs must be kept on a leash.
70
00:02:55,960 –> 00:02:57,760
San Juan Disc Golf Club offers
71
00:02:57,760 –> 00:02:59,730
a beginner’s disc golf clinic.
72
00:02:59,730 –> 00:03:03,530
To sign up, call 505-486-9300.
73
00:03:03,530 –> 00:03:06,260
For upcoming tournaments
and to join future events,
74
00:03:06,260 –> 00:03:10,710
go to facebook.com/S J B D G C.
75
00:03:10,710 –> 00:03:13,520
Thanks for watching this edition
of the Local News Network.
76
00:03:13,520 –> 00:03:14,853
I’m Wendy Graham Settle.
