There exists many organized sports where being on a team is essential. Football, basketball, and soccer are among a few that require one to be on a team and be involved in a large amount of team participation and organization. Without such, the entire team will likely suffer great loss, be plagued with bad attitudes and ultimately undergo a disappointing break-up. Needless to say, stress levels in team-oriented sports are likely to skyrocket.
But there exists a sport where one doesn’t have to be a team player. Stress levels are little to none and that the entire purpose of the sport is simply to relax, enjoy the company of friends while making new ones, and having a good time. One never needs to worry about letting down the team because he or she would have the option to be the only person on that team and still be able to play the game.
The sport is known as disc golf (or frisbee golf according to others) and is one that is enjoyed by millions everywhere. Similar to regular golf, disc golf consists of tossing frisbee discs across a specialized disc golf course into metal chained baskets. The player uses driver, mid-range, and putter discs to attempt to land their throws in the baskets with as few throws as possible. Discs are cheap, course fees are non-existent, and play areas are scattered everywhere across the globe. One such area where disc golf is a prime source for entertainment is right here in Yankton. Take a stroll by Fantle Memorial Park on a sunny day and you will likely see people tossing a disc or two. Campers can see players having a good time at Cottonwood Park, as well as Gavins Point and Pierson Ranch. Yankton is riddled with disc golf courses and it is extremely rare to see any of these areas completely void of disc golf enthusiasts. Games are almost constant and tournaments are held every now and again to test the skills of those interested in competition.
But as common as disc golf has become in the Yankton community, one aspect of the sport that is perhaps less common is hosting a tournament that also acts as a fundraiser for a good cause. Such an event took place at Fantle Memorial Park on Saturday, July 25th.
The event was known as the First Annual Mother City Disc Golf Doubles Challenge and is one that marked a milestone in Yankton disc golf history. This is due to the fact that using a disc golf tournament to act as a fundraiser had never been done in Yankton before.
The idea to host such an event originated from Jesse Bailey, Executive Director of Big Friend Little Friend, Inc., a non-profit organization designed to offer strength to families by giving children positive examples and friendships of an adult role model. But the purpose of the fundraiser was for the benefit of a second non-profit organization known as Yankton County Parents As Teachers.
The mission statement of Parents As Teachers is to provide information, support, and encouragement to families through home visits and classes to promote child development during the first three years of life. The organization helps new parents raise their children up to three years by a three-part focus: Parent-Child Interaction; Development-Centered Parenting; and Family Well Being. Parents also get assistance with helping with the developmental stages of their children such as being weaned from a bottle and toilet training. Children are also introduced to books every month since the organization believes that literacy is important.
Deanna Branaugh is the educator and coordinator of Parents As Teachers in Yankton. Once employed at the Human Services Center where she worked with adults for 35 years, Branaugh now visits the homes of those who need help with parenting such as pregnant moms and working families.
“We feel parents are the first teachers,” said Branaugh. “We have been very successful over the years.”
As a Parents As Teachers board member as well as a veteran disc golfer, Bailey wanted to organize a fundraiser that would assist the general programming costs of Parents As Teachers such as salary, supplies, etc. He came up with the idea to use his love for the sport to put together a tournament fundraiser since such an event had never been done before. Upon gaining this idea, he began organizing the tournament. Those interested in the tournament could pay a $20 “Early Bird” entry fee per team or $30 per team after July 22nd. Players could also purchase $5, $12, and $20 raffle tickets for a chance to win an AX15 Grip Bag for their discs.
The tournament consisted of two divisions: the advanced division where the top two teams would receive a cash payout of $150 for first place and $40 for second place; and a recreational division where the team that placed first would receive disc prizes and their cash back, and the team that placed second would just receive disc prizes.
The turnout for the event was better than expected. “We were pleased with what happened the first year,” said Bailey. “Everyone wants an organized tournament.” Bailey also says that part of the reason for such a good turnout was due to the fact that people knew the tournament was a fundraiser.
Bailey plans to continue hosting the event every year with a new bracket being added for next year. The Just For Fun bracket will consist of those who wish to play a fun, casual game of disc golf with their families (which is exactly what disc should be about).
