THUNDER BAY -- Some of the best Disc Golf players from all over Canada and the U.S. are converging in Thunder Bay for the Northern Ontario Disc Golf Championship.
The main competition starts this weekend, and players have already been warming up this week with smaller flex events.
Disc Golfers were registering Friday evening at The Loop on Court Street. Co-owners Alan Tocheri and Beth DeProphetis are sponsors of the event as well as enthusiasts of disc golf. Although the Loop is known mostly for unique women’s wear from Canadian designers, it also has a great selection of competition discs and other disc golf accessories.
Tournament directors and organizers Cara Hovius and Chris Ozolins have focused on local for this event. Players registering were gifted with a goody bag courtesy of several sponsors from Thunder Bay; The Loop, Heart Beat Hot Sauce, Thought Space Athletics, Shout media, Four Fathers Brewing Co. Wolfhead Coffee, Sleeping Giant Brewing and of course Persians from the Persian Man.
Hovious says the event started with mostly locals but has grown into an international event, drawing players from all over Canada and the U.S. Between 100 and 150 players are expected this weekend.
There is a female division and mixed division. There are also age divisions: 40+, 50+ 60+ under 18, under 15. There’s a category for everyone.
“The official tournament rounds are scheduled from Saturday, Sunday and Monday.” Hovious explains. There’s one round a day at each of the local courses. One at Dragon Hills, one at Bayview, one at Birch Point.” They’ve also hosted some flex events in the days leading up to the main event to help people get a round in and get a feel for the courses.
Ozolins is quick to credit local support for the success of disc golf in the region. The CEDC (Community Economic Development Commission) and Tourism Thunder Bay have been very supportive of Disc Golf, “Looking forward to nationals next year, expecting 400+ participants. The CEDC have supported us so far in the last couple years.”
Thunder Bay has been selected to host the 2023 Canadian National Disc Golf Championships.
This weekend’s event is a great opportunity to prepare and showcase what the city has to offer. Disc Golf is an economically accessible sport that appeals to a broad range of ages and athletic skill levels.
Spectators are welcome, here’s the events schedule:
Dragon Hills Golf Course from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 30
Bayview Course from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 31
Birch Point at Boulevard Lake from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday for the finale.
