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Disc golf was founded by “Steady” Ed Hedrick in 1976. Rod Hosley, a Winona native, started playing the sport around that time.
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Rod Hosley of Winona, takes a shot at the hole No. 2 basket during the Saint Mary’s Disc Golf Open Saturday at The Woods disc golf course on the SMU campus in Winona. Hosley, who golfs the course at least twice a month, likes the half-open and half-tight environment. "The course has a real nice mix and is reasonable," said Hosley. (Photo by Andrew Link/Winona Daily News) |
“I remember playing before there were baskets,” said Hosley. “It was object golf then.”
He was first exposed to disc golf on Winona State University’s campus, where a makeshift course was put together 30 years ago.
The game employs three basic discs, similar to a very basic set of golf clubs.
The putter disc is designed to go straight and catch more wind, which is ideal for closer range shots, said Jason Richter, SMU’s assistant dean of students for leadership, service and activities.
The mid-range disc is similar to an iron, and also picks up wind. The ideal distance is the same as the name, mid-range from the basket, which is metal with chains hanging over it.
The final basic disc is the driver. It has a thinner rim, slightly off center. The design helps it travel further because it wobbles slightly, said Richter.
Richter helped organize the tournament with Davey Warner, the outdoor leadership coordinator at SMU.
Teams consisted of three golfers and, at each hole, the scorecard rotated to a different team member.
Everyone who participated in the tournament received a new putter.
First, second and third place finishers all received prizes, with first place winner Alex Burchard of St. Paul getting a portable disc catcher, a bag and three new discs.
Some players don’t use all three of the basic discs, such as Dominic Koelmel, who brought one disc with him to the tournament.
“It’s what you make of it,” said Koelmel.
Out of the 29 people who registered, 16 were students.
Tim Schmall, a sophomore at SMU, and teammate Tommy Quinn, a freshman, said they both have been hitting the course hard this week since the snow melted.
“I like seeing locals playing,” said Schmall, who has been a disc golfer since his junior year of high school. “It’s good that the course gets more use.”
Slic Baringer of Roseville, Minn., came to Winona to support the sport.
“I’m here for the promotion of disc sports in general,” said Baringer. “This is the course’s first real event, and the one in Hastings is a little full today.”
The tournament had a $25 entrance fee, which will go toward improving the course further.
“It’s becoming a popular course,” Warner said. “I couldn’t have asked for better weather today.”
