‘Everyone can play’: The fast-growing sport of disc golf

The wet weather in the greater Moncton-area this weekend didn't dampen spirits or stop amateur and professional disc golfers from hitting the links in Dieppe.

Disc golf star Chantel Budinsky drove 18 hours to participate in the fifth annual Dieppe Open tournament this weekend.

The professional from Windsor, Ont., wanted to make the trip east because there are not a lot of A-Tier, or high calibre, tournaments in Canada.

She’s travelled a lot since she began playing the pro tour in the United States about three years ago.

“It’s been an amazing experience. I never thought my life would bring me to play disc golf for a living,” said Budinsky.

More than 180 disc golfers from three countries and seven provinces came to the Greater Moncton area for the first ever A-Tier event in New Brunswick.

Competition began in the rain and chilly weather Friday, but there were other activities at the course in Riverview and evening social gatherings for the golfers.

Tournament director Luc Richard said there’s lot to like about the fast-growing sport: it’s easily accessible and courses are free.

“Anybody can play disc golf,” said Richard. “We’ve got some beautiful greenery. You’re basically hiking with a purpose when you’re disc golfing.”

Budinsky loves the community feel of the sport.

“Everybody is so friendly. You’re always received with so much love. It’s inclusive. Everyone can play and it’s awesome coming to the Canadian tournaments especially because everybody knows each other and it’s like a big family reunion,” said Budinsky.

Chris Ozolins, a player and member of the executive board of the Canadian Disc Golf Association, came all the way from Hamilton, Ont.

“It’s peaceful. You’re still challenging yourself. There’s a culture here that I think is unique to the sport too. It’s very supportive,” said Ozolins.

Ozolins said the sport took a major leap during the pandemic.

“COVID was massive for the growth of our sport. We saw a growth rate of 60 to 75 per cent. I can speak for Ontario specifically. We had 135,000 Ontarians playing pre-COVID and that grew by 60 per cent after COVID,” said Ozolins.

Bucky Caldwell came from Dartmouth and said he’s become addicted to the game.

It was a big deal for him to play a tournament with pros.

“Low cost, low impact sport for an old guy like me,” said Caldwell.

Caldwell said there were 100,000 members of the Professional Disc Golf Association pre-pandemic.

“Took 30 years to get to 100,000 members. Took two years to get to 200,000 members. Because of COVID, we were allowed to social distance and play disc golf together,” said Caldwell.

His playing partner Stefan McCormick from Souris, P.E.I., said the sport is challenging but usually a little more forgiving than regular golf.

“It’s just an excuse to get out honestly. I think the best thing about it is the camaraderie. You meet so many people. I met people from every province, from the States. Everybody is like-minded. It’s just fun,” said McCormick.

It’s fun for Richard and the other organizers, but they have their eyes on something big in the near future.

Richard said the A-Tier event is a preview of a three-year plan which will hopefully lead to hosting the Canadian Championship in Dieppe, Riverview and possibly Moncton in 2027.

“It’s a growing event. It’s one that we’re looking to grow even further,” said Richard. “In 2027 we’ll be putting a bid in to host the Canadian nationals here in Dieppe and the tri-community and probably involving other areas like Memramcook and Sackville, so we’re making it a real southeast New Brunswick event.”

The tournament was scheduled to wrap up Sunday on the 18-hole Dieppe Disc Golf course.

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