The first full year of the Parkland Association of Disc Golf was an amazing one of growth across the entire region.
The number of courses within the PADG area nearly doubled through 2016 to 18, and eight successful tournaments culminated with Jack Tulsma of Fort Qu’Appelle topping the Champions’ Champion event held in Yorkton last October.
The entire year for the PADG was reviewed Saturday at the organization’s annual general meeting held in Yorkton.
Interim association chair Calvin Daniels, who would be returned for a full two-year term at the meeting, said 2016 was a great year achieved by the dedication of many disc golfers.
“I must start with a big thank you to all those who have helped the Association through its first humble year,” he said. “Without the support of players at tournaments, volunteers organizing events, and general feedback on ideas, we would not have attained all that we did.”
And the PADG did obtain a lot through 2016.
“We had an active season of tournaments, something I believe we can build on this year with more events, more sponsorships and more players,” offered Daniels.
“Certainly we are beginning to see sponsors coming on board once asked. There is an awareness that disc golf is growing in the region, and we can take advantage of that awareness by forging new partnerships.”
Daniels noted the PADG have already arranged partnerships with Farrell Agencies (the Champions Event), Grain Millers (Yorkton Tourney and a youth initiative), Joe Beevers (a tourney winner bonus), Painted Hand Casino (Ace Award), Crusader Drilling (in tourney Ace Award), and the sponsors of the three year-end trophies to be handed out Saturday.
The award winners were;
· PADG Member of the Year – Male Sponsored by Mark Zawerucha - Remax Blue Chip Realty to Calvin Daniels of Yorkton, SK.
· PADG Member of the Year – Female Sponsored by The ROCK 98Five FM to Brenda Marshall-Wilson from Birtle, MB.
· PADG Member of the Year – Youth, Sponsored by Cornerstone Credit Union to Josh Istace of Moosomin, SK.
Courses are obviously at the core of what the PADG exists to support. From three in the PADG area in May 2015, to 18 today is phenomenal growth, said Daniels. He added, ahead lies more growth as the association is anticipating installs in Kelvington and Wynyard in the spring, with Good Spirit Provincial Park, Duck Mountain, Saltcoats and several other communities also showing interest.
In the past 12 months PADG representatives have met with Councils in Stockholm, Neudorf, Sturgis, the then Mayor in Kelvington, the Chief of Starblanket First Nation at Lebret and others to tell the story of how low cost a recreation disc golf can be.
“We gain with each new course,” said Daniels. “Unlike ball golf which consumes hours to play 18, disc golf is a quicker game, allowing one to travel and play two, three, or four courses in a single day. That is great for players and a boon to local tourism.”
Of course once a course is created there is need for ‘care and feeding’ and that is where local course people are critical. They are the front line supporters to host ‘how-to-play’ nights, or to kick start regular golf nights.
“The PADG can then offer help where possible, and we have done so in the past year holding clinics with the Rotary in Yorkton, Lions at Lemberg, and the then Mayor in Stockholm,” said Daniels.
To further promote disc golf the PADG also has a rather active Facebook page and has created a website for the Association.
“Looking back I am proud of what we collectively achieved in 2016,” said Daniels.
But the work is never done.
“There are things I believe we need to work toward achieving in 2017,” said Daniels.
“The first of those is to grow membership. It is only $20, and I believe that is reasonable to support all the PADG does. Certainly the funds would be welcome as it would be nice to grow the PADG to the point it can cover the costs of doing workshops and meeting with local authorities about the potential of disc golf.”
“With new members we gain more than their $20. We have access to new ideas, (fundraisers as an example), and more volunteers, both important to a vibrant Association.”
Daniels said certainly there are some exciting new initiatives being launched in the coming weeks.
“Thanks to the support of Grain Millers we have a great new program for youth members we are just finalizing before unveiling,” he said.
“And the Farrell Agencies Champions’ Champion event will be a bigger event this year thanks to the naming partnership.”
Daniels noted the event this October will be hosted by Asessippi National Disc Golf Course at Asessippi Beach and Campground north of Russell, MB.“Rick and Karen Goraluk have been enthusiastic supports of the sport and the PADG since they opened their course early in 2016, and we are excited to be taking our highlight tournament to their course,” said Daniels, who explained the event brings two top finishers from each tournament series event held throughout the season, to crown the best-of-the-best. In addition to Daniels being elected president, he is joined on the executive board by vice president Chris Istace of Moosomin, treasurer Doug Kerr of Yorkton, with Dorian Bush and Trevor Lyons, both of Yorkton, filling two-year director seats, and Duncan Holness of Percival, SK., and Dick Teece of Katepwa having one-year director terms.
Anyone wanting information on the sport and PADG email [email protected]
