THUNDER BAY — Thomas Gilbert had on his Monday red on Thursday, but it was a strategic clothing choice.
Gilbert, the No. 1-ranked player in the men’s field at the Canadian Disc Golf Championships in Thunder Bay this weekend, says he timed it out to give himself a chance to do some laundry ahead of Monday’s final round.
The Toronto native is the defending champion and the No. 1 seed heading into this weekend’s event, the first time it’s being held in Northwestern Ontario, scheduled for Friday to Monday at Birch Point, Dragon Hills and Bayview Golf Course.
With his eye on the title, Gilbert has been in Thunder Bay all week, testing out the two courses the professional division will try to conquer.
“I’m very excited to be here to defend my title as Canadian national champion,” Gilbert said. “This is a very significant event. There are a lot of events that take place on the disc golf pro tour that happen each year, and I’m prioritizing this one.
“This tournament really means a lot to me.”
Gilbert, who has put his throwing ability to the test against the Swedish national golf team, outdriving traditional golfers on at least a couple of holes, said it looks like the courses set up well for a disc golf championship.
“A big part of the game is learning where all the trouble zones are on the course. I came here on Monday just to have lots of time to be able to practice and just know the ins and outs of all these courses. I think it takes about two rounds on each course to develop a game plan and that’s the goal here,” he said.
“I’ve played both courses a couple of times.”
Gilbert said the most important key to any success he’ll have is knowing he’s got a well-rounded game, in a sport that’s attracted 160,000 Ontarians and counting, numbers that have grown exponentially since the pandemic began, the public looking for outdoor activities that also allowed them to keep their distance.
“You have to make sure your driving, your putting, your approach game are all on point. You have to have all the skills to be able to be a national champion, so to have those dialed in for the tournament is going to be super key this weekend,” Gilbert said. “I think it’s going to be a really fun battle.”
The event itself, which offers up a $30,000 purse, paid for with money drawn from the city’s municipal accommodations tax, is expected to have an $800,000 economic impact in Thunder Bay, with 2,700 hotel room nights booked as a result.
Chris Ozolins, president of the Ontario Disc Golf Association, said his organization has been working toward hosting the Canadian championships for the better part of seven years, and Thunder Bay, after hosting last year’s Northern Ontario championships, proved its ability to host the even larger national event, which will see 400 athletes competing in a variety of categories.
“Thunder Bay has some of Ontario’s — and maybe Canada’s — most challenging courses, which is fantastic when you’re bringing the pro contingent to the event,” he said. “Also, the scenery here is phenomenal. I think a lot of people are excited to come here because it’s a vacation and a tournament at the same time.”
The amateur events run from Friday to Sunday, with the pro division going Saturday to Monday.
