Golf Vic Vol 60 No 3 2019

immersed in watching the skill on show. Players stand on a tee as in traditional golf but instead of using balls and clubs, players throw specially designed discs to an elevated target basket. Players use four main discs: drivers, fairway drivers, mid-range discs and putters. Course layouts are shorter but usually difficult. Disc golfers need to navigate around or through trees and manipulate according to the wind or terrain. And that's where players can choose a range of highly specialised discs. "There are lots of different (disc) models," says Ferguson, who also designs disc golf courses. "Each brand might have 20-30 different distance drivers. Discs can turn left and right. Each player will have their own discs they like to throw depending on wind conditions, hole design and which direction they want to throw." Professional players can throw upwards of 150-160 metres. It's thrilling, watching the best disc golfers nailing a hole-in- one from 100 metres or producing a dazzling drive that narrowly misses trees, branches and the water to land perfectly. And it's easy to see why disc golf is growing in popularity. It's thought the sport emerged from the 'frisbee' culture of California and now there are more than 8000 courses around the world in 40 countries – over 5000 of them in the USA, where disc golf is strongest, and another couple of thousand in Europe. From humble beginnings, you can now find over 70 specially designed courses across Australia, with the first opening in Melbourne in 1980. The two main clubs in Victoria are the Melbourne and Geelong Disc Golf Clubs. They've taken turns at hosting the Vic Open since its inception in 2007 and this year is the first time the event has been held on a golf course, at Inverleigh about 30 kilometres west of Geelong. Events are usually held in parks or dedicated facilities. Disc and traditional golfers can play on the same course with one small difference. The disc golf course uses many of the areas a 'ball' golfer tends to avoid: the rough, the trees, bushes and out of bounds areas. It's this symbiotic appeal that has led Inverleigh Golf Club to partner with its disc golf namesake. Inverleigh Golf Club Secretary Dianne Morgan says the disc golfers have added a youthful vibe to their club, increased participation and added a new social element. "They bring enthusiasm and youth to it all, with most of them in their 20s and 40s," she says. "We have also introduced a social night. It's a chance to meet the golf and disc golfers – and we love it.” "It's great to have new members as it allows us to add another use to our facility. When we're trying for grants, the council is always encouraging us (to do this). "Having the disc golf club, there is a win-win: more income and more use of the facility." It's an example of how golf clubs are looking for new ways to attract new members. Inverleigh GC now offers each new member a membership with disc golf as part of their fees. There were ten divisions at the Victorian Disc Golf Open, including boys' and girls' junior divisions, advanced and intermediate, masters, grand masters, plus the women’s pro open and men's The men and women’s Vic Open Disc Golf champions Cassie and Jarrath Sweeten. Photo by Carol Heath. Action from the 12th Vic Open at Inverleigh. Photo by Sevi Skaleris. 38 Golf Victoria