golf

Pro disc golfers hold panel on eve of tournament | Gaz

Pro disc golfers hold panel on eve of tournament | Gaz

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Three of the world’s top professional disc golfers sat down for a panel at the Emporia County Club Tuesday night ahead of the first round of the professional tournament at the Dynamic Discs Open today.

Paul McBeth, Eagle McMahon and Hailey King answered questions submitted from all over the country and asked by moderator Terry Miller, better known by his Youtube moniker “thediscgolfguy.”

McMahon, a 23-year-old from Boulder, Colo., who is considered one of the most popular players in the world, said it felt nice to be back in Emporia because it’s unique among disc golf cities.

“Emporia stands out because the whole town welcomes us. There’s no other place that I’ve been to where it’s quite the same as Emporia,” he said.

Miller, whose Youtube account has more than 64,000 subscribers, agreed that Emporia is a special community for disc golfers and fans alike.

“Coming to Emporia, everybody feels like a big deal here, right?” he said. “I mean, every placard and billboard sign, the streets are lined, saying, ‘Welcome, disc golfers.’ I think it’s pretty exciting for all of us to see and experience.”

The four rounds of the Dynamic Discs Open will be held at Jones Park’s Gold Course Wednesda – Saturday.

King, who is 19 and hails from West Bend, Wis., only practiced at Jones Gold once, preferring instead to spend her time in Emporia prior to the tournament relaxing.

“I got here Wednesday but … I just wasn’t wanting to throw a frisbee,” she said. “I just wanted to sit and watch movies all day so I did that. … It’s not that tough of a course.”

McBeth has played professionally since 2008 and is considered by some to be one of the best disc golfers in history, perhaps evidenced by the 10-year $10 million deal he signed with Discraft in February. He said that Jones Gold is an attackable course but that there are a few holes he will be looking out for.

“Hole one is definitely a tough one. You can double bogey if not triple that first hole and that’s not going to get you where you want,” said the 30-year-old from Huntington Beach, Calif. “And the last hole is pretty tough as well. But yeah, it’s a very attackable course.”

McMahon agreed with McBeth, saying that holes one and 18 were the trickiest. He also expects that weather could be a key contributor to how each player goes about each round.

“[Jones Gold] plays not as hard as any other course we play on tour, so it’s all about just picking your spots,” he said. “Tomorrow is going to be potentially rainy and windy, so that might play a factor. But for the most part, I’m going out and trying to attack the whole course.”

King said she was far more nervous about speaking on the panel Tuesday night than she was about teeing off Wednesday morning.

“I don’t really get nervous the night before. It’s like an hour before my tee time [that I start to get nervous], but then I’m able to settle it down before I tee off,” she said.

McBeth felt like he had spent enough time practicing the course that he is well-prepared, but admitted that in the morning he might start to feel a bit more anxiety.

“I don’t get nervous the night before to where I can’t sleep,” he said. “ … Today, I’m pretty calm, prepared, but tomorrow as the time gets closer, you get into warm-up, you want to get into that zone. That’s usually when I start to feel the nerves. … It’s more so nervous about how my preparation was more than anything.”

The first round of the professional tournament teed of Wednesday at 7 a.m. McMahon said that, after the Dynamic Discs Open (then the Glass Blown Open) was canceled last year due to COVID-19, being back in Emporia is a return to normalcy.

“Disc golf feels like it’s really back now,” he said. “That’s the cool thing. There’s going to be about 1,000 fans out here, so really looking forward to that. Looking forward to playing. I love the four-round tournament. Those feel like it just makes the whole event bigger, so I’m excited. Thanks, Emporia.”

PGA TOUR Champions and GRAIL Announce The Galleri® Classic | Business

PGA TOUR Champions and GRAIL Announce The Galleri® Classic | Business

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RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. & MENLO PARK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apr 19, 2022–

PGA TOUR Champions and GRAIL, LLC today announced a partnership to host a new professional golf tournament in Rancho Mirage, California. The Galleri® Classic, named after GRAIL’s multi-cancer early detection test, will debut March 20 – 26, 2023 at the renowned Mission Hills Country Club. This marks the first time PGA TOUR Champions has hosted a tournament in Coachella Valley since 1993.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005389/en/

The Galleri Classic will feature 78 PGA TOUR Champions professionals, including World Golf Hall of Fame members, who will play 54 holes of stroke play for a purse of $2.2 million. The Galleri Classic will be the latest addition to the PGA TOUR Champions schedule and will benefit cancer-related causes.

“We are thrilled to partner with GRAIL to bring PGA TOUR Champions golf back to such a storied community at the Mission Hills Country Club,” said PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady. “World Golf Hall of Fame members and legends of the game will enjoy a tremendous week of competition here, while providing the passionate, local golf fans with a unique, incredible experience, and we look forward to making a positive impact in the community for years to come.”

As an annual stop on the PGA TOUR and a host for PGA TOUR Champions events for 12 years, Coachella Valley has an incredibly rich golf history. Several current PGA TOUR Champions members have won here including David Duval, who made history with his final-round 59 to win the 1999 American Express, class of 2022 rookies Justin Leonard (2005 American Express) and Brian Gay (2013), two-time winner Corey Pavin (1987 & 1991), Mike Weir (2003), Joe Durant (2001), Fred Couples (1998) and Jay Haas (1988). Additionally, many World Golf Hall of Fame members have won in Palm Springs including Hale Irwin (1998 Senior Match Play Challenge), Raymond Floyd (1993 Gulfstream Aerospace Invitational), Chi Chi Rodriguez (1991 Vintage Arco Invitational), Lee Trevino (1990 Vintage Chrysler Invitational), Bob Charles (1987 Vintage Chrysler Invitational), Peter Thomson (1985 Vintage Invitational) and Gene Littler (1983 Vintage Invitational).

“GRAIL and PGA TOUR Champions have a shared commitment to positively impact the lives of people and communities that we touch. At 50 years of age and older, Champions Tour Players have likely had

personal experiences with cancer and can inspire the next generation to improve health care,” said Bob Ragusa, Chief Executive Officer at GRAIL. “We are excited to join forces to build awareness for multi cancer early detection and raise proceeds for cancer-related causes.”

GRAIL is a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. Galleri, a first-of-kind multi-cancer early detection blood test offered by GRAIL, has been shown to detect many cancers that are not commonly screened for today. When a common cancer signal is found, test results can point to where in the body the cancer is located with high accuracy to help healthcare providers guide the next steps to diagnosis. Galleri is intended for people with an elevated risk of cancer, such as those aged 50 or older, and is to be used in addition to recommended cancer screenings.

“We are proud to continue our professional golf history here at Mission Hills Country Club dating back to 1972,” said ClubCorp CEO David Pillsbury. “So many of the current legends on PGA TOUR Champions have a history of competing at events in the Coachella Valley. Mission Hills Country Club has proved to be a perfect host to professional golf events from the challenging major championship golf course to all of the amenities for fans, sponsors and players. This will quickly become one of the very best venues on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule and most importantly will continue to have a positive impact on the local community.”

Mission Hills Country Club, known worldwide for its rich history and tradition after hosting professional golf events for the last five decades, has evolved into a Coachella Valley golf club for all seasons. The 18 th hole and “Poppie’s Pond” are traditionally one of the more memorable and historic finishing holes in professional golf. The ClubCorp owned facility offers a unique golf experience, with three very diverse golf courses designed by some of the biggest names in golf course design (Arnold Palmer Course, Pete Dye Challenge Course and Dinah Shore Tournament Course). All three courses have six tee locations allowing players to play the course at their desired comfort level.

All rounds of The Galleri Classic will be broadcast nationally on GOLF Channel, the TOUR’s exclusive cable-television partner that reaches close to 70 million U.S. households and in excess of 170 countries and territories, reaching more than 340 million potential households, and distributed in 15+ markets via GOLFTV.

The Galleri Classic will be managed and operated by Wasserman. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Wasserman is a global sports, entertainment and lifestyle marketing agency offering expertise in Event Management, Athlete Representation, Marketing and Media. Wasserman Events manages and operates multiple tournaments on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and LPGA. Additionally, Wasserman organizes several corporate events and consults for a variety of sponsors on their partnerships across the professional golf landscape.

To access and download imagery from Mission Hills Country Club, click here.

ABOUT GRAIL

GRAIL is a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. GRAIL is focused on alleviating the global burden of cancer by developing pioneering technology to detect and identify multiple deadly cancer types early. The company is using the power of next-generation sequencing, population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to enhance the scientific understanding of cancer biology, and to develop its multi-cancer early detection blood test. GRAIL is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. GRAIL, LLC, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN).

For more information, please visit www.grail.com.

About Galleri ®

The earlier that cancer is detected, the higher the chance of successful outcomes. The Galleri multi cancer early detection test can detect cancer signals across more than 50 types of cancer, as defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual, through a routine blood draw. When a cancer signal is detected, the Galleri test predicts the cancer signal origin, or where the cancer is located in the body, with high accuracy to help guide the next steps to diagnosis. The Galleri test requires a prescription from a licensed health care provider and should be used in addition to recommended cancer screenings such as mammography, colonoscopy, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, or cervical cancer screening. It is intended for use in people with an elevated risk of cancer, such as those aged 50 or older.

For more information about Galleri, visit www.galleri.com.

Important Galleri Safety Information

The Galleri test is recommended for use in adults with an elevated risk for cancer, such as those aged 50 or older. The Galleri test may not detect a cancer signal across all cancers and should be used in addition to routine cancer screening tests recommended by a healthcare provider. Galleri is intended to detect cancer signals and predict where in the body the cancer signal is located. Use of Galleri is not recommended in individuals who are pregnant, 21 years old or younger, or undergoing active cancer treatment.

Results should be interpreted by a healthcare provider in the context of medical history, clinical signs and symptoms. A test result of “Cancer Signal Not Detected” does not rule out cancer. A test result of “Cancer Signal Detected” requires confirmatory diagnostic evaluation by medically established procedures (e.g. imaging) to confirm cancer.

If cancer is not confirmed with further testing, it could mean that cancer is not present or testing was insufficient to detect cancer, including due to the cancer being located in a different part of the body. False-positive (a cancer signal detected when cancer is not present) and false-negative (a cancer signal not detected when cancer is present) test results do occur. Rx only.

Laboratory/Test Information

GRAIL’s clinical laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) and accredited by the College of American Pathologists. The Galleri test was developed, and its performance characteristics were determined by GRAIL. The Galleri test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. GRAIL’s clinical laboratory is regulated under CLIA to perform high-complexity testing. The Galleri test is intended for clinical purposes.

ABOUT PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS

PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour, on Instagram @pgatourchampions and on TikTok (pgatourchampions).

All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on GOLF Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 20-plus TV linear partners in 170-plus countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 170-plus hours of live coverage distributed in 130-plus countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States (240-plus countries and territories), excluding China, Korea and Russia, with live coverage distributed in 130-plus countries and territories.

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005389/en/

CONTACT: Allie LeClair, PGA TOUR Champions, 920-901-9032,[email protected]

Trish Rowland, GRAIL,[email protected]

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY GOLF SPORTS HEALTH ONCOLOGY

SOURCE: GRAIL

Copyright Business Wire 2022.

PUB: 04/19/2022 12:00 PM/DISC: 04/19/2022 12:02 PM

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220419005389/en

State Fair of West Virginia to hold ‘Almost Summer in Almost Heaven’ this weekend | WV News

State Fair of West Virginia to hold ‘Almost Summer in Almost Heaven’ this weekend | WV News

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Disc golfers enjoy sport during finale of the Prodigy Star Series | Local News

Disc golfers enjoy sport during finale of the Prodigy Star Series | Local News

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When Mike Robbins was introduced to disc golf by a cousin more than two decades ago, “it was love at first sight.”

“You get outside, and you can play for little or no cost,” Robbins said. “We love it.”

Disc golf can be “very zen, when you have a great throw, or when you see someone else with a great throw,” said Chattanooga’s Mark Cole, who began playing in 2003. “Everyone cheers one another on, and we all like to see everyone play well.”

The camaraderie is tremendous, Cole added.

“I’ve traveled all over the East to play and see friends.”

Cole has also passed down his love of disc golf to his son James, an even better disc golfer than himself.

James is “exceptional, world-class,” Robbins said. He’s earned the nickname “Snappy,” because when he throws his discs, “you hear that perfect snap.”

Disc golf is “a low-impact sport,” which is critical for Ringgold’s Josh Henderson now that “I’m in my 40s,” he said. It doesn’t punish his body, and “I’m good at it — better at this than anything else I’ve played.”

Cole, Henderson and Robbins were among approximately 140 disc golfers competing in the pro division of the finale of the Prodigy Star Series, hosted by Prodigy Disc — a Dalton-based manufacturer of disc golf discs and other equipment — Saturday at Edwards Park. The amateur division played Saturday at Westside Park.

Players qualified for the finale by performing well in prior events, said Rome’s Brandon Morgan, whose son Tait was playing at Edwards Park. Tait has been playing since age 8, and “there’s no real limit to how much you can play.”

Though the conditions were cool and cloudy, that didn’t bother competitors, Robbins said.

“This is an all-weather sport — except for lightning — and no rain and no wind (equals) good conditions.”

Robbins plays the disc golf courses at Edwards Park and Westside Park regularly, he said.

“They are both elite courses.”

Cole appreciates the design of the Edwards Park course, as it places a premium on accuracy, rather than distance, he said.

“I’m in my 60s, and I can’t throw it as far as a lot of other (players).”

Henderson also comes to Edwards Park “often,” he said. “It’s one of the best in the area.”

Whitfield County also has a disc golf course at Heritage Point Park in Dalton and a nine-hole course at the Tunnel Hill Golf Club, Brandon Morgan said.

“This is a good part of the world to be in if you like disc golf.”

The festivities concluded with an afternoon concert at the Burr Performing Arts Park in downtown Dalton by The Whole Fam Damily, a Dalton-based band.

Disc Golf Tournament donates $10K to the Soup Opera in Fairmont | Tuesday News

Disc Golf Tournament donates $10K to the Soup Opera in Fairmont | Tuesday News

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FAIRMONT — The nonprofit Soup Opera got a $10,000 boost from the Seth Burton Memorial Disc Golf Club Monday evening at Morris Park. 

Most of the money was raised over the year, but part of it was raised at the 18th Annual Ice Bowl disc golf tournament, which was held on February 26 at Morris Park. There were over 40 tournament participants, according to Phillip Burton, co–founder of the memorial disc golf club. Using the motto “No whimps, no whiners,” the tournament is held each year regardless of the weather conditions.

The Ice Bowl is a national disc golf tournament typically held in winter months. Their goal is to raise local awareness of disc golf and funds for local of regional charities based on helping end food insecurity.

Burton and his wife and cofounder Rebecca Burton and club members presented the funds to Soup Opera staff on Monday.

The Seth Burton Memorial Disc Golf Club selected the Soup Opera the year of their first tournament and it stuck. Since then, they have raised an estimated $60,000 to $70,000 for the Soup Opera, Burton said.

“We just have a special place in our heart for the Soup Opera. They’re so grassroots and truly know the people,” Co–founder Rebecca Burton said. 

Soup Opera Kitchen Coordinator Misty Tennant said the donation will be used to purchase food to be served and for items in the grocery bags that are sent on the fourth Friday of the month. 

Pre COVID–19, the Soup Opera served between 100 and 120 people a day, Tennant said. They re–opened this week and have an average of 45 patrons, but Tennant expects numbers to increase. 

“I think it’s awesome that the community steps up. If it wasn’t for the community, the Soup Opera would not be where it’s at today. They support us every year. In February, when this happens, our donations are down because everyone is recuperating from the holidays and what not,” Tennant said.

Heather Bonecutter, board member and disc golf club member, has been playing disc golf for around four years. She said it’s a great way to get exercise and have fun.

“It’s fun to come out, goof off with our friends and throw some plastic for a good cause…Disc golf for me is like free therapy. You just get out there and throw some stuff and then you feel better,” Bonecutter said.

Rebecca Burton agreed and added that getting to interact with people is the best part.

“What’s really fun is that you meet people that you would never meet. I mean, you meet people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s really a nice melting pot,” Burton said.

The Seth Burton Memorial Disc Golf Club has leagues of varying ages and genders, which meet weekly to practice at Morris Park. Anyone interested in participating can visit their Facebook here or just come out to a practice. Bonecutter said they rent out discs to those interested in pursuing the sport. 

Donations for the Soup Opera are always welcome, Tennant said. You can donate food, hygiene products and clothing or your time. The Soup Opera is located at 425 Quincy St. It is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends. 

Smthfield resident petitions for disc golf course in Camp Shepard | News

Smthfield resident petitions for disc golf course in Camp Shepard | News

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SMITHFIELD – With 1,200 signatures and counting, Smithfield resident John Snavely is using a grassroots effort to bring a disc golf course to the town’s Camp Shepard property.

Snavely, who lives off Log Road, said the Camp Shepard recreational area is an amazing piece of property that should be preserved, not developed. Snavely’s online petition, begun last week, also pleads with the town to not sell the front Colwell Street lots for possible development.

Developers expressed interest in the lots when Smithfield purchased the 114-acre property in 2020. Several known developers in town said that Smithfield could recoup some of the $1.2 million spent on the property. The town said it has not made any decision to sell, and town officials said there are no plans to unload the lots at this time.

Snavely feels that with the town approving multiple developments in the past few years, Smithfield should keep Camp Shepard as a recreational area. Previously owned by the Greater YMCA of Providence as a summer camp, the forested Camp Shepard closed in 2008 and has gone unused, apart from local hikers.

“I hope that’s the case, and it stays like that,” Snavely said.

Snavely said stopping development is a bonus, and he said the petition is about bringing an 18-hole disc golf course to Smithfield. He said he is really interested in seeing excellent recreation go into the Camp Shepard area.

“It wasn’t as much about selling the lots as much as it was to have a disc golf course on the land,” Snavely said.

As an avid disc golfer, Snavely said the course has minimal impact on the environment, while giving residents an area to enjoy games outdoors. Disc golf is played by throwing a Frisbee into a caged bowl. Similar to golf, each hole has a set par, and golfers attempt to get it in below par.

Snavely said the petition has tons of support from Smithfield residents, but is also gaining momentum in the Southern New England disc golf community. He said northern Rhode Island has two nine-hole courses, with one at the North Smithfield High School and the second at Slater Memorial Park.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce the sport to northern Rhode Island that can also serve as an income generator to the town,” Snavely said.

Snavely proposed forming the Apple Valley Disc Golf Club that would fundraise for the relatively inexpensive equipment, and would also help clean and maintain the course. He said the town could charge $5 per person for entry, which could generate income for the town.

“Most people who want to play, play regularly. I go out weekly between 200 and 300 rounds per year. We play all through the winter,” Snavely said.

“A lot of people feel passionate about it,” he said.

Outside of the disc net, Snavely said each hole would have a sign at the tee designating the par, the outline of the hole, and the hole number. Generally, the course does not take up much room in terms of equipment, and could be set up off a hiking trail. Beginner disc golf Frisbees are affordable, and can be purchased online for less than $20.

“It’s an extremely inexpensive sport,” Snavely said, adding that it does not take much more skill than accurately throwing a Frisbee.

A good disc golf course could take up as much as 40-50 acres, and would need minimal clearing of trees and shrubs.

Generally, he said one person can do an 18-hole course in about an hour.

Town Manager Randy Rossi said he is not opposed to a disc golf course at Camp Shepard, though he is leaving the decision up to the nine-member Camp Shepard Recreation Board. Like all town properties, Camp Shepard needs to fit the needs of the population, he said. He said the committee will take its time to plan the park properly, which will take some time.

“It’s got to be done right with clear minds at the table,” Rossi said.

For now, Rossi said all the town is ready to do at the property is to continue to clean up, clear and cut brush, and repaint buildings.

Pollmiller disc golf plan sees more discussion | Local

Pollmiller disc golf plan sees more discussion | Local

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The winter put a bit of a damper on plans to create a disc golf course at Pollmiller Park.

Now that spring is back on the table, those plans are coming back into focus.

Disc golfer Cameron Hertzler had visited with the Lee County Conservation Board last summer about the possibility of putting in a disc golf course near the walking trail in Pollmiller Park and incorporating West Point’s South Park.

Hertzler showed the board how the course would be laid out and said the GPS was a little off, so no tee pads would actually be on the path itself but about 10 feet away.

Park Ranger Clint Oldfield said the LCC staff hadn’t been party to planning of the course and had some concerns. Hertzler said he would be happy to walk through the course with them.

Oldfield also was concerned about discs or people crossing the road and creating a safety issue.

Hertzler said there would be no throwing across the roads.

“The holes are separated so you’re not crossing that threshold. Disc golfers would have to walk across that road but not throw across it,” he said. “And one thing we keep in mind too, when we were doing the layout of the course, we want to pour the tee pads close to the walking path and put the baskets away from it. That way at least the angle of trajectory is I’m standing close to the walkers and I’m throwing into the green space, as opposed to the other way around, which is not good.”

Additionally, Hertzler said, holes are kept away from blind corners.

“We don’t want to put baskets near those at all,” he said. “It’s dangerous.”

One hole is planned to be placed in West Point’s South Park, which also has a good parking lot, whereas Pollmiller has a smaller parking area.

“It doesn’t really matter how you number the holes. If parking becomes an issue, it’s very easy for players to start at that tee of seven which is that first one in South Park, and play seven through 18,” he said. “And then like I said, it’s one big figure eight so they can do one through six and end up back where they parked.”

West Point Councilman Joe Loving said West Point is in the process of enlarging that parking area as well.

Hertzler said all the golfers he’s ever played with understand that pedestrians have the right of way on the trails.

“If anytime there’s somebody even near where I’m throwing, I will wait for them to get out of the way. I’m not risking hitting them,” he said. “It’s very courteous.”

There’s been no fundraising yet, as the project’s been on pause during the winter and waiting for direction.

Hertzler said last year when he ran some numbers for materials, it ended being around $18,000 for an 18-hole course. Now as the cost of materials has risen, he said a realistic estimate is around $20-23,000.

“The cost of the metal baskets that are put into the ground has gone up,” he said, “between labor, concrete and wood and stuff for tee pads and such.”

Hertzler said he plans to purchase all 18 baskets from a local retailer and those baskets would be approved by the Professional Disc Golf Association, a requirement for tournaments.

“If there’s ever a tournament that wants to be held at the course, which is an awesome fundraising opportunity for the community,” he said, “it has to be PDGA sponsored and PDGA approved.”

Disc golf is very popular, Hertzler said, and practically free for players.

“Buy your one disc and you’re good until you become addicted to it,” he said.

There are three disc golf courses located in Rodeo Park; another is being planned for Ivanhoe Park. A nine-hole course is located at Denning Conservation Area. Westview Disc Golf Course can be found in Donnellson.

Pickleball! Padel! Footgolf! Let the next generation of games begin

Pickleball! Padel! Footgolf! Let the next generation of games begin

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P

ickleball, footgolf, padel, disc golf: they might sound like obscure arcade games but they’re actually emerging alternatives to more traditional sports like tennis and golf. And thanks to some A-list endorsement — from the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio (a pickleball champion) and Rafael Nadal (he’s a padel maestro) — they’ve rapidly taken hold in the UK, and across the world.

New sports are accessible, often involve cheaper equipment and are centred around fun. In other words, they’re perfect for those who are tired of the same old roster of spin classes and are looking for novel ways to keep fit. These are the ones to know.

Padel

Padel tennis in action

/ AFP via Getty Images

Best for: Those looking for a fun, competitive take on tennis that you can pick up in 10 minutes.

Perhaps the most high-profile of the emerging alternative sports, padel is played by more than 10 million people worldwide, including the likes of Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Liverpool FC’s Mohamed Salah. A cross between tennis and squash, padel became part of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) in 2019. “It’s incredibly social and easy to pick up,” said Tom Murray, head of padel for the LTA. “Because it has a smaller bat compared to a traditional tennis racket, those with fewer or no racquet skills can pick it up and be in contact with the ball within five or 10 minutes.” So far there are around 150 courts in the UK, and the LTA is hoping to expand that to 400 by the end of 2023.

Where to play: Will to Win (the organisation that runs the sporting facilities in many of London’s parks) has floodlit courts at Hyde Park and Regent’s Park. Stratford Padel Club (SPC) is the largest padel club in the UK, with its own dedicated indoor club (consisting of five padel courts). A full list of padel venues in the UK can be found on the LTA’s website.

Pickleball

The Clooneys are reportedly among pickleball’s A-list fans

/ AFP/Getty Images

Best for: Those after a gentler and less competitive version of traditional tennis, with a great social element.

A mash-up of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is less physically demanding than traditional tennis. Fans say the game is addictive, partly because it’s easy to play and becomes more challenging as skills improve. In competition it can get quite aggressive, but casual players of all ages have taken to pickleball, making it the fastest-growing game in America. Celebrity fans include the Clooneys, Kardashians and Leonardo DiCaprio.

“In the US it’s a sport that was really accelerated in Florida by ex-tennis players who can’t run around the court as much,” said Simon Pearson, racquets manager at David Lloyd (pickleball courts are currently available at 19 of the brand’s gyms across the UK, and there are plans to open more). “But for us it hasn’t just been an offering for older people: we’ve had a range of ages and sexes. It doesn’t quite have the same competitive edge that padel does at the moment. It’s a very social sport: you don’t just turn up and play, there’s usually food or drinks afterwards.”

Where to play: pickleballEngland is a not-for-profit which acts as a governing body for the sport in the UK — and it has a handy locator to help you find your nearest club.

Disc golf

Disc golf involves throwing frisbee-like discs on nine or 18-hole greens

/ Shutterstock / wellphoto

Best for: Golf-lovers looking for a less physically intense pastime.

Another US import, disc golf is pretty much exactly as it sounds. Played using similar rules to traditional golf, players throw plastic frisbee-like discs at a target on nine or 18-hole greens. Just like using different clubs in the regular game, different frisbees are used for different throws, designed to go long or short distances, curve right or left, or even roll across the ground. And it shares the same joys and frustrations of golf, whether it’s sinking a long putt or hitting a tree halfway down the fairway. Between eight and 12 million people worldwide have played at least one round of disc golf, and more than 500,000 play regularly, according to the Professional Disc Golf Association. There are 93 disc golf courses in the UK and six in London at the moment.

Where to play: there are courses everywhere from Lee Valley Park for eastenders to Lost Jungle, Europe’s largest adventure golf course in Edgware. Check the course locator at Disc Golf UK for a full list.

Footgolf

Best for: Golf without all the expensive (and boring) bits.

Footgolf is essentially exactly the same as golf but played with a football. Unlike traditional golf, which often involves strict rules around what should be worn on the course and requires investing in specialist clubs, you don’t need anything more than trainers, you can bring your own ball or borrow one, and you don’t end up walking the best part of a half-marathon. In short: welcome to golf without any of the bad bits.

The rules are pretty much the same as real golf: aim the ball at hole and get it in, in as few shots as possible. The holes are shorter, generally between 60 and 100 yards, and they often cut across actual golf courses, sometimes to the annoyance of the old guard of golfers. It sounds easy, but fans of the sport say that’s why it works: it should be simple but — to the immense frustration of first-timers — it really isn’t.

Where to play: This course locator at UK Footgolf shows all the courses in the country. There are currently four in London: Hanger Lane, Horsenden Hill, Edmonton and Barnet.

M.J. Gager is a world champion — and she’s only nine years old | Recreation

M.J. Gager is a world champion — and she’s only nine years old | Recreation

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Edwards Park, Westside Park to host major disc golf tournament April 16, with concert afterward at Burr Park | Local News

Edwards Park, Westside Park to host major disc golf tournament April 16, with concert afterward at Burr Park | Local News

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Dalton-area residents can see some of the best disc golfers in North America compete on Saturday, April 16, at the courses at the Whitfield County Parks and Recreation Department’s Edwards Park and Westside Park.

The tournament is the finale of the Prodigy Star Series, hosted by Prodigy Disc, a Dalton-based manufacturer of disc golf discs and other equipment.

“We have hosted an event each month for the past six months,” said Will Schusterick, co-owner of Prodigy Disc, a former No. 1 disc golf player in the world and three-time winner of the U.S. Open.

“The tournament round will start at 10 a.m.,” he said. “We are more than happy to have anyone come out and watch. There are separate divisions. Westside will have the amateurs, and Edwards will have the pro division.”

Matt Zollitsch, event coordinator for Prodigy Disc, said the series has had more than 700 competitors from the United States and Canada.

“The series has brought sponsors from all over the disc golf world,” he said.

The tournament will conclude at 2 p.m. with a concert at the Burr Performing Arts Park in downtown Dalton by The Whole Fam Damily, a Dalton-based band.

“We’ll have live music, disc golf vendors,” said Schusterick. “It will be a fun atmosphere, and we welcome everyone to come out and take part.”

According to Sports Illustrated, disc golf was one of the few sports that thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, “likely partially due to its ability to be played outdoors and socially distanced. But it was also the continuation of a growth trend that occurred through the 2010s.”

The magazine reported that the Professional Disc Golf Association now has 150,000 members, “with 70,000 of those retaining active status for tournaments — a figure that’s doubled since 2016.”

The Whitfield County Parks and Recreation Department’s Westside Park Disc Golf Course was voted one of the top four courses in the United States in 2020 by the readers of Connect Magazine. It finished behind Maple Hill Disc Golf in Leicester, Massachusetts; Quaker’s Challenge at Gifford Pinchot State Park, Lewisberry, Pennsylvania; and Blue Ribbon Pines, East Bethel, Minnesota.

“We see people from out of town daily playing these courses,” said Whitfield County Parks and Recreation Department Director Brian Chastain.

In addition to the courses at Edwards Park and Westside Park, which were designed by Schusterick, there is a disc golf course at Heritage Point Park in Dalton and a nine-hole course at the Tunnel Hill Golf Club. There are also two practice baskets on the grassy area next to the train tracks at the old freight depot off Morris Street in Dalton.

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