Hitting The Chains With Some Bikers

My Nine year old son Eli, recently talked me into allowing him to take part in the 3^rd Annual Hitting the Chains for B.A C.A, a disc golf tournament fundraiser for Bikers Against Child Abuse held at Wilber Young Park in Blue Springs, Missouri. His gym teacher, introduced Eli to disc golf in kindergarten and over the last few years Eli has begun buying discs and experimenting with the sport. I must admit, when he asked to take part in the tournament I agreed reluctantly. I imagined sitting in the scorching sun slathering on sun screen and swatting at insects waiting impatiently for the event to the end. As it turned out, my expectations could not have been further from the truth.

In all honesty, my personal experience with disc golf consisted of a college boyfriend at KU who couldn’t seem to get enough of disc golf. As I recall our romance did not last long but from what I understand his interest in disc golf went on for decades. Although there seems to be some disparity in the information regarding the history of disc golf, it seems to have made its emergence in the 1960’s in the US. It’s popularity on the coasts and in college towns are most significant but over time it has become a more known and recognized sport in the US Midwest and internationally.

Perhaps most impressive in my perception was the Wilber Young Disc Golf Course. John Theiss, a Blue Springs teacher and Disc Golf enthusiast, designed the extensive course and along with a team worked to create the course over several years. The 18 hole course consists of a fairly intricate series of mostly mulched paths winding through the wooded area. Except for the wide paths that are kept mowed the area is kept natural. There are wild blackberry in bloom growing around tiny natural ponds (also known in disc golf lingo as “the drink”). The twisted and knobby looking Hedge Apple trees give the wooded area a sort of mythical look which led me to think that tiny gnomes might live tucked behind rocks and stumps, peering out to watch the tournament. From a nature lover’s perspective, it is a beautiful albeit technical course.

The event itself was really well organized and truly enjoyable. The competition was divided into categories according to skill level which included a separate category for women and one for children. The children were grouped in threes and accompanied by an adult expert level player who not only officiated but offered coaching and direction. My husband and I walked along and were amazed not only by the coaching offered but by the athleticism and skill level demonstrated by the children. The youngest was an eight year old who threw left handed. He was particularly intense and calculated, demonstrating to me that disc golf is not only a game of physical skill but of cerebral skill. Watching the adults throw was an experience unto its own. There is something graceful to be seen in the flight of skillfully thrown disc. The trajectory and velocity of a throw carried by force and assisted by an unanticipated gust of wind can leave one surprisingly breathless. 

Lunch was provided by the director of the event, Tom Henderson and his BBQ competition partners who call themselves, “Chinese Take Out”. My 9 year old, foodie son, who can critique aged imported Gouda and Fine Bleu cheeses with the best of them, inhaled his meal. The meal also provided a time for unity among the competitors who easily joined in comfortable conversation and easy laughter.

My favorite part of the day was an unexpected and delightful treat. After lunch we embarked upon the back nine. Upon reaching Hole 3,instructions we given to walk 20 feet to the property line where Bloody Marys were offered to adults and soda and cookies to the children. It was the perfect example of the cool sense of community offered by the day’s events.

The Disc Golf community is an eclectic collection of people from various walks of life camouflaged by the games earthy nature. There is no required attire, no stuffy corporate conversation and no greens fees. There was a group of people who came together to support a great cause. Best of all for a day, my son was not in front of a screen, he did not have a controller in his hands. He was running through the woods, soaking up the sun and communing with a great group of people. I just don’t think it gets much better than that.

To learn more about Disc Golf in Kansas City Visit:  http://kcfdc.org/



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