Portage Lakes Disc Golf Course hosting tournament
7/26/2012 - South Side Leader
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| Kim Godar plays disc golf at the Portage Lakes Disc Golf Course in the Portage Lakes State Park. |
| Photo courtesy of Steve Godar |
“This is a two-day event — 18 holes on Saturday and 18 on Sunday,” said Steve Godar, founder of the course and president of the Portage Lakes Disc Golf Association. “Tee off will be at 10 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. It will be held at Portage Lakes Disc Golf Course in the Portage Lakes State Park on Manchester Road.”
Godar said first-time players are eligible to participate, but he doesn’t expect many to do so.
“This is a serious competition here,” he said. “This is a PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) sanctioned event. Points are given and these can all add up to a person’s year-end standings. This is for both men and women, and there are upwards of 21 divisions, but not all will have participants.”
The entry fee for the event, Godar said, will range from $30 to $60 depending on the player’s division, which is based on the player’s age and ability.
“Generally, people will know what division they are in if they have played the game for any length of time at all,” he said.
According to Godar, the rain-or-shine event will have a “shotgun start.”
“Basically, everybody starts at the same time on different holes,” he explained. “So, if we get 72 people, there would be four people starting on each hole of the course. Everyone will start at pretty much the same time and, hopefully, everyone will finish at close to the same time. You can probably play our course in approximately two hours — maybe a little more.”
Godar said the goal of this event is “to have exciting top-notch competition and to crown eventual champions.” However, he added, another goal is to host more tournaments at the course.
“Portage Lakes Disc Golf Course is the first 18-hole, tournament-caliber course in the southern half of the county. Hudson Springs in Hudson is the only other disc golf course in the county capable of handling a tournament,” he stated. “It is our first major event. Most people do not realize just how many people play the game and the worldwide popularity of disc golf. This is a serious sport and just like ball golf, disc golf can be played just for a little fun or for serious competition. It is very easy to learn, but very difficult to master.”
Disc golf is played like regular golf, Godar explained, except a player uses a disc to throw at a target, or a basket.
“We have pars on every hole,” he said. “Once a person gets his or her disc in the basket, they have holed out. Every throw is one stroke.”
For those who are interested in trying the game, Godar noted the Portage Lakes Disc Golf Course is free to use at any other time.
“A person just has to supply their own disc,” he said.
Godar said there is no registration deadline for “Launchin’ on the Lakes.”
“People have already started to sign up, but you can register up to and including the day of the tournament,” he said. “We are hoping to get at least 72 people, if not more.”
Online registration is available at www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/Launchin_On_The_Lakes_2012.
The tournament’s purse is expected to exceed $1,000, Godar said.
“That will be divided amongst the winners,” he said. “There also, hopefully, will be two disc golf baskets as giveaway prizes.”
As a special bonus, Godar said, all participants will receive a custom Innova disc to take home.
For additional information or directions, go to www.pldga.com or contact Godar at steve@pldga.com or 330-644-0544.
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