Disc Golf Life by Rootstand
They seem to be from Michigan.
They seem to be disc golfers.
They describe their sound as "Whiskey Reggae".
That's pretty cool, huh?
[audio http://morleyfielddgc.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/disc-golf-life.mp3]
"The Rebound From The Beatdown"
Team San Diego redeemed themselves from last years disappointing finish in this past weekends 29th Annual Southwestern Team Invitational Disc Golf Tournament.
Team leader Micah Dorius went 7-0 to lead San Diego into the finals against Team Huntington Beach. George Spracklen shut the door for a victory with an Ace on Hole 2 - long in his final hole of play (92!). Congrats to all team San Diego Micah Dorius, Chris Villmorin, George Spracklen, Carlo Pelg, Dave Devine, Mike Slonim, Snapper Pierson and Emily Hardy. Special congrats go out to the four (that's a lot!) rookies who more than held their own in the grueling weekend of play... Josh Damron, Luke Christensen, Daniel Lichtman and Mike Westerman.
Final Standings: San Diego 8-0 Huntington Beach 5-3 Santa Cruz 5-2 Oregon 4-3 Sylmar4-3 Arizona 2-5 Oak Grove 1-6 Redwood Empire 0-7
MATCH 1 SM 7.5 VS OG4.5 OR 5.5 VS SC 6.5 HB 3.5 VS SD 8.5 RE 4.0 VS AZ 8.0
MATCH 2 HB 7.5 VS AZ 4.5 RE 3.0 VS SD 9.0 SM 5.0 VS SC 7.0 OR 7.0 VS OG 5.0
MATCH 3 SM 4.5 VS SD 7.5 OR 7.5 VS AZ 4.5 HB 7.0 VS OG 5.0 RE 4 .0 VS SC 8.0
MATCH 4 HB 8.5 VS SC 3.5 RE 5.5 VS OG 6.5 SM 6.5 VS AZ 5.5 OR 6.0(35) VS SD 6.0(41)
MATCH 5 SM 7.5 VS RE 4.5 OR 5.0 VS HB 7.0 AZ 7.5 VS OG 4.5 SD 10 VS SC 2.0
MATCH 6 AZ 6.0 VS SC 6.0 SD 5.5 VS OG 3.5 SM 7.0 VS HB 5.0 OR 9.0 VS RE 3.0
MATCH 7 SM 5.5 VS OR 6.5 HB 8.0 VS RE 4.0 AZ 3.5 VS SD 8.5 SC 8.0 VS OG 4.0
FINALS SD 8.0 VS HB 4.0
Over 500 pictures of the event.
The "Milo" Disc Golf Shoe From Keen
Designed to carry disc golfers through even the most demanding of conditions, the MILO Disc Golf Shoe features KEEN.DRY waterproof barrier, reinforced toe bumpers, asymmetrical lacing and superior grip properties keeping your feet dry, protected and in place.
Features:
- KEEN.DRY™ Waterproof Breathable Membrane - Anti-Bunch Asymmetrical Flex Lace System - S3 Heel Support Structure - Multi-Directional 3 MM Lug Outsole for Traction - Removable Metatomical Tri-Density Footbed - KEEN toe protection
S3 Shock, suspension, stability – otherwise known as S3 – is engineered to support the foot on impact, dissipate shock and reduce your odds of twisting an ankle.
KEEN.DRY A proprietary waterproof, breathable membrane that lets vapor out without letting water in.
METATOMICAL FOOTBED DESIGN This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support and cradle the natural contours of the foot
“By far the Best Disc Golf Shoe that I have ever played in. They are extremely comfortable, provide great traction and keep your feet dry all day long. These shoes are the Real Deal!!!!!” – Avery Jenkins #7495, 2009 Disc Golf World Champion
Only available for sale online at www.KEENFootwear.com - $110
editors "hands-on" review: Day One – very comfortable straight out of the box. Light. Good fit per size ordered, may even be a little extra in the width (which most men need). Not sure what the Anti-Bunch Asymmetrical Flex Lace System is but despite its funny (off-center/wonky) look, it seems to distribute the lacing tightness over the whole length of the top of the shoe. I find it to be very comfortable design feature. It did though draw three strange looks this morning while shopping at Target. It will be a while to report on wear and tear as the harshest conditions we experience in SoCal is when the grounds crew at our course over waters a smidge. We’ll provide you with first round, fifth round and tenth round impressions in the next few weeks.
29th Annual Team Tournament - Course Closed
Once a year "Morley-ites" have the privilege of watching some of the top players in the world compete on our home course.
Morley Field is the long time annual host of the Southwestern Disc Golf Invitational Team Tournament. This year marks the 29th edition of this fun but very competitive match play tourney. Players compete for some decent cash but it’s the team bragging rights which continues to be the draw. Teams from as far away as Oregon trek to San Diego the first weekend of December bringing the best players they have to offer. Recent big names include 2008 World Champion Dave Feldberg, 2009 World Champion Avery Jenkins, Val Jenkins, Nate Sexton, Steve Rico, Disc Golf Hall of Fame members Dave Dunipace and Steve Wisecup, young gun Paul McBeth, Bobby Musick, join perennial Team San Diego favorites Micah Dorius, Carlo Pelg, Chris Vilmorin, George Spracklen, Snapper Pierson, Dave Devine, Michael Slonim, and Emily Hardy.
Come out this year to support your team San Diego (especially after last years 6th place "beat-down"). You don't want to miss this!
Here are this years team rosters...
Arizona Team
1 Paul Ullibari 2 Mike Downes 3 Zach Walker 4 Mike Lassuy 5 Dan Ginnelly 6 Andrew Bohme 7 Rex Rogers 8 Jeff Burns 9 Rory Self 10 Russell Shelton 11 Harvey Brandt 12 Lisa Reish
Huntington Beach
1 Paul McBeth 2 Bobby Musick 3 Chris Kunde 4 Chris Brophy 5 Joel Hall 6 Kyle Eckman 7 Davis Miller 8 Steve Killian 9 Mark Collicot 10 Marcus Cisneros 11 Tom Clickner 12 Emina Weaver
Team Oregon
1. Avery Jenkins 2. Dave Feldberg 3. Andrew Rich 4. Justin Skinnell 5. Lane Mason 6. LeLand O'Driscoll 7. J.D. Platt 8. Mike Ruzicka 9. Rob Ryan 10. Leroy Jenkins 11. Kurt Bayne 12. Melody King
Sylmar Team
1 Steve Rico 2 Gabe Cota 3 Robert McIntee 4 Chris Horn 5 Bamba Rico 6 Gary Sandoval 7 Billy Comeau 8 Steve Wisecup 9 Mike Byrne 10 Mike Roberts 11 Mark Horn 12 Jennifer Griffin
Santa Cruz Team
1 Nate Doss 2 Don Smith 3 Shasta Criss 4 Jason Esper 5 Troy Farrington 6 Valerie Jenkins 7 Jon Baldwin 8 Doug Werner 9 Jim Hagen 10 Steve Lonhart 11 Hunt Hyde 12 Carrie Berlogar
San Diego Team
1 Micah Dorius 2 Chris Villmorin 3 George Spracklen 4 Carlo Pelg 5 Josh Damron 6 Luke Christensen 7 Daniel Lichtman 8 Dave Devine 9 Mike Slonim 10 Mike Westerman 11 Snapper Pierson 12 Emily Hardy
Redwood Empire Team
1 Derek Billings 2 John Child 3 Josh Sappinfield 4 Roger Cansler 5 Pete Sontag 6 Justin Wilson 7 Nick Peters 8 Jeff Fiedler 9 Scott Riley 10 Kevin Parkhurst 11 Dave Welty 12 Anni Kreml
Oak Grove Team
1 Randy Waite 2 Dagoberto Bribiesca 3 Philo Brathwaite 4 Gabe Gonzales 5 Mel Mills 6 Randy Saab 7 Brian Schitidonkow 8 Robert Cox 9 Kevin McKelvey 10 Dennis Bohanan 11 Cliff Towne 12 Indigo Brude
Youth Disc Golf Association
Odd's are you have seen the YDGA's red, white, or blue shirts around Morley Field recently. This organization is the brainchild of local disc golfers Scott Lebrick, Brendan Sage and Carl Renda. In the past year they have done a great job promoting disc golf to youth in San Diego County through clinics at Montiel Park in San Marcos as well as schools in the Poway, San Diego and Point Loma area.
The YDGA was the recent recipient of a $500 check from Allstate Insurance through it's "Hands In The Community" program. Allstate agent Ron Tocki was the agent presenting the check. He has been a recent sponsor at "Spring Flings".
Good luck YDGA!
Team Tourney Grinder Results
Congrats go out to Josh Damron, Daniel Lichtman, Luke Christensen and Mike Westerman for their great play this past weekend, earning them a spot on Team San Diego for the upcoming Team Tournament.
Disc Golf... Yeah, There's An App For That
Sure seems a little over-indulgent to use your iPhone or Blackberry to keep track of your disc golf scores but hey, don’t knock it until you try it. http://appadvice.com/app/313129478
http://www.whatsoniphone.com/reviews/disc-golf-gps
Editors note –We are willing to put these apps through stringent testing for the sake of the sport if you are willing to purchase us an iPhone and add us to your unlimited usage plan. We are that committed to the betterment of disc golf!
Match Play Grinder Invitationals
Match Play Grinder InvitationalsSat. Nov 21 9:00 a.m.
The following individuals are invited to participate in the match play double elimination qualification tourney for the 2009 San Diego Team. There are 3 spots left in the Open division and 1 spot left in Masters.
Open Division
1-Josh Damron
2-Luke C.
3-Jeremiah M.
4-Alex T.
5-Kevin G.
6-Josh E.
7-Mark Jarvis
8-Willie L.
9-Mike Lust
10-Angel G.
Masters Division
1-John Heaton
2-Kona K.
3-Mike W.
5-Don O
6-Jeff N.
7-CVK
8-Kent L.
Bag Tags #1 and #2 Spotted At Morley
Contrary to popular speculation, San Diego Aces bag tags #1 and #2 are not sealed away in an airtight vault. In "random" happenstance, Micah Dorius (who earned tag #1 with his win at the 2010 Course Championship) ran into the ever-youthful Dave Butcher early Monday morning at Morley Field. The crowd (of 5) gasped as the prestigious black tags seemingly levitated into the air above the challengers bags. In a fun early morning round, Micah defended #1 and Dave kept #2. All is well with the world.
New Morley Field Survey
Once a month (or so) we will be posting a new disc golf / Morley Field related poll on this site. The survey will always be located near the bottom of the main page on the right hand side. This months poll is on the most popular putters. Go vote now! A link to previous surveys is available to see at http://answers.polldaddy.com/morleyfieldsd/.
If you have an idea for a poll question, let us know, maybe we'll use it.
"Grinders" To Begin For Team San Diego
The recent Course Championship holds additional importance for the role it plays in earning players a spot on the San Diego Team for the Southwestern Team Championship Tournament, held every December at Morley. Qualifying for the team so far, based on their performance in the Course Championship Tournament or monthly tournaments are the following players: Micah Dorius, Chris Vilmorin, Carlo Pelg and George Spracklin in the Open division; Dave Devine, Snapper Pierson and Mike Slonim in the Masters and Grandmasters Division, and Emily Hardy for the Women’s Division. The three remaining Open spots and one remaining Masters spots will be filled through a series of head-to-head elimination matches, referred to affectionately as “the grinder.” Players competing in the grinder are expected 
to include: Josh Damron, Josh Egbert, Angel Garcia, Mark Jarvis, Mike Lust, Kevin Gomez, Jeremiah, Willie Lister, Alex Torriente, Luke, Aubrey Daniels and Donny Olow for the Open spots. The last Masters spot will be up for grabs by John Heaton, CVK, Jeff Nichols, Kent La Gree or Greg Olsen.
to include: Josh Damron, Josh Egbert, Angel Garcia, Mark Jarvis, Mike Lust, Kevin Gomez, Jeremiah, Willie Lister, Alex Torriente, Luke, Aubrey Daniels and Donny Olow for the Open spots. The last Masters spot will be up for grabs by John Heaton, CVK, Jeff Nichols, Kent La Gree or Greg Olsen.2009 Course Championship Results
| Place | OPEN | Total | ||||||
| 1 | Micah Dorius | -32 (-36) | ||||||
| 2 | Chris Vilmorin | -25 (-31) | ||||||
| 3 | George Spracklin | -21 (-25) |
|
|||||
| 4 | Josh Damron | -19 (-23) | ||||||
| 5 | Carlo Pelg | -17 | ||||||
| 6 | Luke Christenson | -16 | ||||||
| 7 | Josh Egbert | -15 | ||||||
| 8 | Mike Slonim | -14 | ||||||
| T9 | John Heaton | -12 | ||||||
| T9 | Angel Garcia | -12 | ||||||
| 11 | Mike Lust | -10 | ||||||
| T12 | Kevin Gomez | -9 | ||||||
| T12 | CVK | -9 | ||||||
| 14 | D-Unit Daniels | -8 | ||||||
| 15 | Alex T. | -6 | ||||||
| T16 | Greg Olsen | -5 | ||||||
| T16 | Jeff Nichols | -5 | ||||||
| 18 | Chuck D | -6 | ||||||
| 19 | Chris Hanau | 6 | ||||||
| D-Nice | DNF | |||||||
| Ed Speakman | DNF | |||||||
| Place | AMATEUR | Total | ||||||
| 1 | Jeremiah May | -17 | ||||||
| T2 | Danny Zwolenski | -9 | ||||||
| T2 | Tim Hanau | -9 | ||||||
| 4 | Aaron Van Matre | -6 | ||||||
| 5 | Brendan Sage | -5 | ||||||
| 6 | Jason Edmisson | -1 | ||||||
| T7 | Patrick Paramore | 0 | ||||||
| T7 | Tracy Crowder | 0 | ||||||
| T9 | Thomas Wheeler | 1 | ||||||
| T9 | Garret Burk | 1 | ||||||
| T9 | Jason Rhyme | 1 | ||||||
| 12 | Brandon Coates | 2 | ||||||
| 13 | David Fukami | 3 | ||||||
| T14 | John Arce | 4 | ||||||
| T14 | Jeff Delgado | 4 | ||||||
| T14 | Mike Ballestas | 4 | ||||||
| 17 | Mario Traba | 6 | ||||||
| 18 | Dale Chambless | 7 | ||||||
| 19 | Brooks Loro | 9 | ||||||
| T20 | Erik Mulhorn | 10 | ||||||
| T20 | Mason Hamilton | 10 | ||||||
| T20 | Clark Jackson | 10 | ||||||
| T20 | Mark Hawking | 10 | ||||||
| T20 | Jeff Brown | 10 | ||||||
| 25 | Joshua Hesser | 11 | ||||||
| T26 | Todd Fletcher | 18 | ||||||
| T26 | RJ Dela Cruz | 18 | ||||||
| 28 | Neal Mackay | 26 | ||||||
| Casey Sowa | DNF | |||||||
| Robert Colgrove | DNF | |||||||
| Kyle D. | DNF | |||||||
| Danny I. | DNF | |||||||
| Place | WOMEN OPEN | Total | ||||||
| 1 | Emily Hardy | 18 | ||||||
| 2 | Rianne S. | 25 | ||||||
| 3 | Allison Wylot | 32 | ||||||
| 4 | Michelle Chambless | 46 | ||||||
| Rita Nash | DNF |
Chris Vilmoran aced hole 2 in the finals. This makes the 2nd year in a row we had an ace in the final 9. The setup in the second round on Saturday was as tough as it gets a Morley. All long pin positions and all long pads with 2 pin positions never seen in regular play (hole 6 on street and hole 12 back right). No player went bogey free on second course. Mike Slonim (top finishing master age player) had only 1 bogey though. Micah had best score in each round -12,-6,-14 and -4 in final 9.
Taking It A Little Too Far?
With all do respect to the "Father of Disc Golf" ("Steady" Ed Headrick), we submit this video which feels more appropriate in a Twilight Zone episode than Ripley's Believe It Or Not. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jid3-XOLRo&hl=en&fs=1&]
In case this seems like a good idea to you, you can purchase his "memorial" discs here
Morley Course Championship 2009
Saturday, Oct 31st& Sunday, Nov 1st
3 Rounds 3 different course layouts! Course is closed to the public during this tournament!
Open – $50 Amateur – $40 Women – $25 Entry fee does not include daily play band Player’s package includes Dry-Tek shirt.
Trophies for 1st place Open, Amateur and Women.
Payback 100% Open Payback – 33% of field Women’s Payback – 50% of field Amateur Payback shop credit – 40% of field
The top three Open Division finishers automatically qualify for the team as well as top Master Division finisher. The winner of the Amateur Division is eligible to try out for the team in the match play grinder.
Limited to 95 total players, Entries taken on day of tourney will have $10 surcharge.
Bag Tag Melee Results
17 SD Aces members showed up early Sunday morning ready to put their tags on the line, with Angel Garcia bringing in the low tag #16. It was a perfect day to play disc golf with clear skies, no wind, and warm Socal weather. While the Chargers were on TV running over the Chiefs, the course opened up and lines were very short allowing a steady pace round. It was Mike B. who ended up shooting an impressive -10, taking the Winner spot and selecting a custom stamped 2009 Sun Valley Star Boss from the grab bag prizes donated to the Aces by its members. Grace Rivas, San Diego Aces newest member, signed up this morning for a 2009 membership to play in the challenge and ending up winning a custom Tie-Dye stamped 2009 End of the Trail Classic Avenger SS from the $1 raffle. What a great reward for becoming a member!
Player Score Tag In Tag Out
Mike B. -10 244 16
Jason -6 93 48
Chris McCoy -3 98 85
Brendon Wear -3 163 93
Aaron V. -3 360 98
Sage -2 121 121
RJ -2 224 123
J Bird D -1 85 163
Hawk -1 262 167
Patrick P. 1 257 208
Utah 2 228 224
Shooter 3 123 228
Pete R. 5 48 244
Mike Holmes 5 167 257
Steve Roberts 7 208 262
Grace R. 7 359 359
Angel DNF 16 360
Morley Player Profile: Emily Hardy
Emily Hardy
PDGA# 26129
Division Open Women
Sponsor: Baskethead Disc Golf
Began Playing Disc Golf:
I played competitive Ultimate frisbee for about 8 years before I discovered disc golf. I moved up to Lake Tahoe in 2001 for the winter season, and there was no ultimate team at the time. So I decided to try disc golf. I showed up by myself at the Zephyr Cove course with one disc, no map, and no clue about how to play. Lucky for me, some locals rolled up and kindly offered for me to join them. I'm so glad I did! Started playing tournaments in 2005.
First Disc:
It was a tie dye Stratus, which I still have. It's so beat that its even understable at the Mountain High course.
Favorite Hole at Morley:
7, because there are no "gimme" birdie positions on this hole.
Morley Field Aces:
3: 14 C (star starfire), 15 C (my first ace ever- z predator), 16 A (x comet).
Favorite Disc:
The Z Buzzz is the best! You can throw it hard, it's fast, and it's stable. If I could only play with one disc, the Buzzz would be it.
Favorite Drivers:
Predator for overstable/windy conditions, Rogue for distance
Favorite Midranges:
Buzzz, Comet
Favorite Putter:
FLX Challenger--only the goldie will do!
In My Bag: not a whole lot-- mastering a few discs is easier than lugging around 20!
FLX Challenger
Z Buzzz
Y Comet
2-3 Rogues (various stability)
Z Predator
Pro Destroyer
Tourney wins and / or Top 5 finishes (not necessarily from Morley):
07 Worlds, 2nd in Mixed Doubles
06 & 07 So Cal Championships, 1st, Pro Women
06, U.S. Women's Championships, 8th, Pro Women
07, Golden State Classic, 3rd, Pro Women
Favorite Disc Golf Website:
discgolfersr.us It's like Facebook, but just for disc golf.
Favorite Pro Player:
Valerie Jenkins-- She's the top woman player in the world! She can throw it a mile and putt, too. Val is also really humble and friendly with everybody she plays with. Val is great role model for younger players and an awesome ambassador for disc golf.
Tips for newer players and players looking to improve:
Go out to a field and practice. Too many new players just go to Morley and think they'll get better automatically. If you want to best, fastest way to improve, get out to a park. Pick a particular skill that you want to work on, such as your grip, follow through, or keeping the disc low. Bring all of your discs and focus on just that skill. You don't have to worry about errant shots or taking too long. You'll see your game improve dramatically!
Morley October Monthly Results
OpenKevin Gomez -16 $45 Dave Parnell -12 $25 Jeff Nichols -10 Angel Garcia -3 Mike Ballestas -2
Advanced Brendon Wear -2 $46 shop credit + grab bag Mark 'Hawk' Hawking -1 KC Sowa DNF Justin Fitzpatrick DNF
Intermediate Jay H -10^ $42 shop credit + grab bag Pete Rudart -8^ $34 shop credit Utah -4 $28 shop credit Mason -3 $20 shop credit Chris McCoy -3 $20 shop credit Garret Burk -1 Billy M +1 RJ +1 Shooter +1 Dale Chambless +2 Chris B +3 Keith +3 David M +8 Don V +9 Mike Holmes +9 Todd +16
^bumped to next division
Morley Player Profile: Eric Simmons
Eric Simmons(aka Jerry Parcia)
PDGA#: 34300
Division: MG1
Began Playing Disc Golf: Played 1st pole hole course at Morley back in the 70’s (can’t remember 60’s & 70’s to well)
First Disc: 86 mold whamo
Favorite Hole at Morley: 17, got 1st Ace, over the top annhyzer, back in 70 something
Morley Field Aces: ...again, memory kind of fuzzy…?
Favorite Disc: Z BUZZ , It goes straight
Favorite Driver: Star Destroyer (special obstacle avoidance plastic formula)
Favorite Midrange: see above
Favorite Putter: ...this week it’s an aviar (Fling tourney disc)
In My Bag: Ibuprofen
Tourney wins and / or Top 5 finishes: 2009 Santa Maria Open 1st MG1 2009 Sun Valley Open 1st MG1 2009 Sunrise Showdown 2nd MG1 2009 Summertime Open 2nd MG1 2008 Emerald Isle Open 1st MG1
Favorite Disc Golf Website: The new Morleyfield.com (someone must put a lot of hard work to make it soooooooooooooooooooooo goooooooooooood)
Favorite Pro Player: Snapper, Bill (Mr. Putter) Richards, & John Talent because they have forgotten more about disc golf than I’ll ever know and they share the knowledge they can remember freely.
Tips for newer players and players looking to improve: Play with Snapper, Bill, & J.T.
A History Of Disc Golf - v1.4
From what we can tell... 776 B.C. Discus throwing becomes one of the Pentathlon events at the Greek Olympics. The winner of the event received the Discus.
1644
Edward Frisbie of England settles in Branford, Conn.
1848 William Russell Frisbie is born in Wallingford, Conn.
1869 H.H. Olds hires William R. Frisbie to help sell his pies in Bridgeport, Conn.
1871 The W.R. Fribie Pie Bakery is founded in Bridgeport, Conn., as Frisbie takes over Old's business and established routes.
1891 Charles Schwartz of Brooklyn, N.Y., applies for a U.S. patent for his "Spinning Toy," (#476,825). This invention could be thrown from one person to another. However, no samples of this device have been found.
1903 Upon the death of his father, Joseph P. Frisbie becomes president of W.R. Frisbie bakery, and expands it from production of a few hundred pies a day into an enterprise with routes across much of New England. This sets the stage for "Frisbie" to become a widely known term that will lends its name to a developing pastime.
1905 The W.R. Frisbie pie bakery is now called The Frisbie Pie Co. and becomes a Connecticut corporation.
1910 The Frisbie Pie Company starts to use the "Frisbie's Pies" logo on its products and in advertising.
1920 Yale is credited as starting the Frisbieing craze. This could have been a public relations ploy by WhamO to associate its Pluto Platter Flying Saucer with higher learning or, possibly to steer people away from Princeton University's claim of first use.
1922 Ten-year-old Tex Robertson and neighborhood friends in Sweetwater, Texas, are playing flying disc games with metal can covers.
1924 Edward Early Headrick was born on June 28, 1924 and grew up in Pasadena, California. He was the father of 3 boys , 1 girl and all Disc Sports.
1926 Classmates at Bladworth Elementary School in Bladworth, Saskatchewan, are playing an informal game on a prescribed course that they call Tin Lid Golf. They are modifying the metal can cover so that it can be more easily thrown for distance with a backhanded motion. The first known instance of anyone playing golf with a flying disc occurred in Vancouver, BC Canada in 1926. A group of school age kids played a game with tin lids, which they dubbed Tin Lid Golf. They played on a fairly regular basis on a disc golf course they laid out on their school grounds.
1936 At Princeton University, Albert Einstein stops to admire a disc throw-and-catch game conducted with a round metal can cover. He is quoted as saying, "Very beautiful!"
1940's The origins of the Frisbee goes back to a bakery named the Frisbie Pie Company of New Haven, Connecticut, established by William Russell Frisbie. Before the bakery closed operations in 1958, the tossing of the company's pie tins by college students at Yale and Dartmouth led to Frisbie becoming a well known term for flying disc play in the Northeast. In 1949, California inventor Walter F. (Fred) Morrison realizes that plastics technology could be used to make a disc-shaped flying toy. That year, the first flying disc produced with his partner Warren Franscioni, the Pipco (short for Partners In Plastic Company) Flyin-Saucer, hit the market.
1946 Walter (Fred) Morrison makes a drawing of the first plastic disc design that he called the "Whirlo Way." Morrison's disc design went on to become the 1948 Flyin Saucer.
Early 1950's On the east coast, Bill Robs markets the Space Saucer in college campus bookstores. In 1954, the first "Frisbie Match" was held at Dartmouth College. Morrison then improves his invention with a second disc, the Pluto Platter, with the now famous phrase "PLAY CATCH - INVENT GAMES" engraved on the back. Disc golf was one of those invented games! By 1954, a tournament for another new disc game called Guts is held at Dartmouth University.
Late 1950's Wham-O became interested in this flying disc in 1955 and about a year later began marketing the Pluto Platter after acquiring the rights from Morrison. In July 1957, the name was changed to "Wham-O Frisbee." after the company heard about the pie tin game on the east coast called Frisbie-ing. In 1958, the first International Frisbee Tournament was held in Eagle Harbor, Michigan.
1958 Wham-O applies for a trademark on the word "Frisbee." The application is filed on July 28, 1958. (First use, June 17, 1957; in commerce, July 8, 1957).
May 26, 1959: Frisbee receives Registered Trademark No. 679186.
Early 1960's Copar Company of Chicago markets a disc called the Sky Saucer that included a rulebook for the game of "Sky Golf" (looks more like Frisbee croquet).
1964 Wham-O introduces the "Official Pro Model" to be used for all disc sports, including disc golf.
1965 Modern Frisbee patent applied for based on design by "Steady" Ed Headrick of Wham-O, who would later become known as the "Father of Disc Golf".
1967 Ed Headrick starts International Frisbee Association (IFA) and establishes standards for various disc sports such as Distance, Freestyle and Guts.
1968 The U.S. Navy spends nearly $400,000 on unsuccessful tests of many flying discs to keep flares aloft for longer periods of time. The first game of Ultimate Frisbee, a disc sport similar to football, was played in 1968 at a New Jersey high school. This disc sport is now played at over 600 colleges in 32 nations.
1969 The first official disc golf tournament was held at Brookside Park in Pasadena, California. The goals were natural objects marked with a ribbon. Later, George Sappenfield organized several Frisbee golf events in Southern California. Disc enthusiasts introduce the concept of disc golf to other parts of the country. "Object Courses" using anything from lamp poles to fire hydrants as targets begin to crop up in the Midwest and East Coast.
1970 The Berkeley Frisbee Group (BFG) establishes a standardized 18-hole Frisbee golf course on the campus of U.C. Berkeley. Players use man-made and natural objects as targets. Berkeley is gaining a reputation as the "Mecca of Frisbee."
The first "Frisbee Club" is formed in Rochester, New York and disc golf is played on a regular basis.
1971 Bill Schneider is teaching the first accredited Frisbee course at Sacramento State University in California.
1972 Rochester, New York becomes the first municipality in the world to hold an Annual City Disc Golf Championship.
1973 Flying Disc World becomes the first magazine for disc sports. Dan Roddick wins a brand new 1974 Datsun B-210 at the disc golf portion of the American Flying Disc Open in Rochester, New York. The modern era of disc golf competition begins.
1974 Jim Palmeri and his brother John open the first Frisbee retail store called "The Flying Disc and Chess Shop" in Rochester, N.Y.
1975 Oak Grove Disc Golf Course located within Hahamonga Watershed Park in Pasadena, California becomes the world's first permanent disc golf course. It was an instant success. Later that year, Wham-O introduces the World Class 119G disc, a marked improvement for discs in competitive sports.
1975 Ed Headrick organizes the Disc Golf Association (DGA).
1975 "Steady Ed" Headrick and his son Ken invent and patent a standardized Frisbee catcher called a "Disc Pole Hole." In 1975, they install the first permanent disc golf course at Oak Grove Park in La Canada, Calif. During its first year of operation, nearly 5,000 people play disc golf during a given week. "Steady Ed" markets the first line of golf discs, the "Night Flyer." The game was formalized when Headrick invented the first Disc Pole Hole™ catching device, consisting of 10 chains hanging in a parabolic shape over an upward opening basket, (US Patent 4,039,189, issued 1975).
1977 The first PDGA tournaments are held in Mobile, AL and Northern New Jersey. The modern era of disc golf competition begins.
1978 UCI is where the Whamo World Overall Championships were held from 1978-1981. The Winner of the disc golf portion of this overall tourney was recognized as the World Champion
1979 Wham-O and the Disc Golf Association sponsor the $50,000 Frisbee Disc Golf Tournament at Huntington Beach, Calif. In sudden death, Tom Kennedy wins the event over John Connolly.
1982 The first Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) World Championships are held in L.A. at La Mirada, Sylmar, Oak Grove, and Huntington Beach, CA. Harold Duvall is the winner.
1983 Innova Champion Disc Golf markets the first beveled edge golf disc, the Eagle. The beveled edge allows for far greater throwing distances than had been possible, radically changing the game of disc golf.
PDGA Champion – Open 1983 Huntsville AL Jeff Watson FL 1406 5 120
1983 Dave Dunipace, past World Distance and Disc Golf Champion, invents and patents the triangle-rimmed disc. This innovation brings the advantage of distance with accuracy to the games of amateurs and professionals alike. As a result, courses begin to get longer and more challenging; the excitement grows.
1984 Disc Golf World News begins publication. This is the first magazine for Disc Golf. The same year, the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) is established to promote disc golf and Ultimate Frisbee events worldwide.
Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass., awards the first bachelor's degree in Frisbee to John Dwork.
PDGA Champion - Open 1984 Rochester NY Sam Ferrans CA 2872 5 141
1985 The World Flying Disc Federation organizes the first "World Championships" held outside of the United States, in Helsingborg, Sweden. Players from 21 countries attend. Around the world, players continue to lobby parks departments and college campuses for more disc golf courses. By the end of the decade, permanent disc golf courses are installed in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Japan.
PDGA Champion - Open 1985 Tulsa OK Harold Duvall CA 2018 $2,000 2 200
Allen Risley produces the first PDGA Course Directory is published
1986 PDGA Champion - Open 1986 Charlotte NC Johnny Sias WV 1700 $1,090 7 166
1987
Disc Golf World News (later shortened to Disc Golf World), the longest running magazine in the history of disc sports, began publishing in March of 1987. The last issue came out in January of 2008. All told, there were 84 issues.
PDGA Champion - Open 1987 Toronto ON Gregg Hosfeld GA 1602 $2,500 Playoff 143
1988 Snapper Pierson is the first player to win the Master overall and the WFDF (open overall) world championships in the same year.
PDGA Champion - Open 1988 Cincinnati OH John Ahart CA 3455 $3,500 2 209
1989 PDGA Champion - Open 1989 Waterloo IA Steve Wisecup OH 1467 $2,000 3 158
Ultimate is shown as an exhibition sport during the World Games in Karlsruhe, West Germany. This year also marks the first World Club Ultimate Championship, in Cologne, West Germany.
1990 PDGA Champion - Open 1990 Phoenix AZ Ken Climo FL 4297 $2,042 1 180
1991 PDGA Champion - Open 1991 Dayton OH Ken Climo FL 4297 $2,700 10 160
1992 World’s Biggest Disc Golf Meet features over 12,000 players participating on 200 courses around the world on the same day.
PDGA Champion - Open 1992 Detroit MI Ken Climo FL 4297 $3,500 9 164
1993 The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports accepts flying disc sports as a new category for Presidential Sports Award.
Lavonne Wolfe establishes the PDGA Hall of Fame. The PDGA begins to chronicle the history of disc golf.
PDGA Champion - Open 1993 Huntsville AL Ken Climo FL 4297 $2,539 4 136
The Disc Golf Hall of Fame is established in Huntsville, Ala. 1993 Inductees Vanessa Chambers - Ted Smethers - Dave Dunipace - Ed Headrick - Dan Roddick - Jim Palmeri - Tom Monroe
1994 1994 Inductees Harold Duvall, Nobuya Kobayashi, Darrell Lynn, Dan Mangone, Doug Newland, Snapper Pierson, Lavone Wolfe
PDGA Champion - Open 1994 Port Arthur TX Ken Climo FL 4297 $2,500 18 151
1995 Scott Stockley becomes the first person to break the 200-meter distance barrier in competition. (World Record toss of 200.1 meters.)
PDGA Champion - Open 1995 Port Arthur TX Ken Climo FL 4297 $2,350 4 114
1995 Inductees Ken Climo, John David, David Greenwell, Johnny Roberts, Rick Voakes
1996 1996 Inductees Mike Conger, Patti Kunkle, Rick Rothstein
PDGA Champion - Open 1996 South Bend IN Ken Climo FL 4297 $3,600 3 160
1997 1997 Inductees Steve Slasor, Elaine King, Jim Kenner
PDGA Champion - Open 1997 Charlotte NC Ken Climo FL 4297 $3,000 7 164
1998 1998 Inductees Gregg Hosfeld, John Houck, Carlton Howard
PDGA Champion - Open 1998 Cincinnati OH Ken Climo FL 4297 $3,581 4 179
1999 1999 Inductees Sam Ferrans, Steve Wisecup, Tim Selinkse
PDGA Champion - Open 1999 Rochester NY Ron Russell MI 9999 $4,000 4 173
USDGC Champion - 1999 Ken Climo, Florida – Total Score: 204; Won by 15
2000 2000 Inductees Tom Schot, Royce Racinowski
PDGA Champion - Open 2000 Ann Arbor MI Ken Climo FL 4297 $7,303 8 238
USDGC Champion - 2000 – Ken Climo, Florida – Total Score: ; Won by 5
The number of permanent disc golf courses in the United States surpasses 1,000.
2001 Disc golf becomes a featured event and Ultimate becomes a medal sport at the World Games in Akita, Japan.
2001 Inductees ( 2 Articles ) Stan McDaniel, Johnny Sias
PDGA Champion - Open 2001 St Paul MN Cameron Todd SC 12827 $3,065 6 201
USDGC Champion 2001 – Barry Schultz, Wisconsin – Total Score: 245; Won by 1
2002 Christian Sandstrom sets world distance record of 820 feet. Christian shattered the distance record April 26, 2002 at "Big D in the Desert". His record throw of 250 meters (820 feet) was made with a DX Valkyrie. Former team member Ken Jarvis was first to break the record with a throw of 247 meters. Ken's record lasted a mere 45 minutes! The previous record of 217.05m (712 feet) had been set by Chris Voigt of Germany.
Ken Climo wins his 11th PDGA World Disc Golf Championships, extending his record.
USDGC Champion 2002 – Ken Climo, Florida – Total Score: 237; Won by 7
Steady” Ed Headrick, suffered two strokes while attending the 2002 Professional Disc Golf Association Amateur World Championships in Miami. He died in his sleep, August 12, 2002, at his home in La Selva Beach. He was 78. As per his wishes, his ashes were incorporated into a limited number of discs. The discs were given to friends and family and the limited remaining discs will be sold with all proceeds from the sales going to a nonprofit fund for the "Steady" Ed Memorial Disc Golf Museum at the PDGA International Disc Golf Center in Columbia County, Georgia.
2002 Inductees Gary Lewis, Alan Beaver
2003 2003 Inductees Mark Horn, Brian Hoeniger, Dr. Stancil Johnson
PDGA Champion - Open 2003 Flagstaff AZ Barry Schultz WI 6840 $5,000 6 150
USDGC Champion 2003 – Barry Schultz, Wisconsin – Total Score: 243; Won in Playoff
2004 2004 Inductees ( 4 Articles ) Derek Robins, Geoff Lissaman, Johnny Lissaman, Marty Hapner
PDGA Champion - Open 2004 Des Moines IA Barry Schultz WI 6840 $5,300 9 154
USDGC Champion 2004 – Ken Climo, Florida – Total Score: 255; Won by 5
2005 With 250+ disc golf courses built this year, the number of permanent disc golf courses in the United States reaches 2,000!
2005 Inductees ( 2 Articles ) Matts Bengtsson, Sylvia Voakes
PDGA Champion - Open 2005 Lehigh Valley PA Nate Doss CA 11794 $5,000 3 130
USDGC Champion 2005 – Dave Feldberg, Oregon – Total Score: 244; Won by 2
2006 Ken Climo of Clearwater, Florida becomes a 12-time World Champion, establishing a new record that will probably never be broken. The book Flat Flip Flies Straight - True origins of the Frisbee is published by Fred Morrison and Phil Kennedy.
2006 Inductees Kozo Shimbo , Chuck Kennedy
PDGA Champion Open 2006 Augusta GA Ken Climo FL 4297 $5,500 5 125
USDGC Champion 2006 – Barry Schultz, Wisconsin – Total Score: 236; Won by 11
2007 Wham-O celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Frisbee by reissuing the original Pluto Platter in gold and other flying discs. The 50th Anniversary 3 disc boxed set, including a replica of original 1957 patent for the Original Frisbee, is a popular Holiday gift.
May 2 - Dave Felberg appears on Conan O'Brien - video
Decemner 18, 2007 - Terry Calhoun starts the Disc Golfers R Us (DGRUS) social network
2007 Inductees ( 2 Articles ) Michael Travers , Fred Salaz
PDGA Champion - Open 2007 Highbridge WI Nate Doss CA 11794 $5,500 1 142
USDGC Champion 2007 – Ken Climo, Florida – Total Score: 233; Won by 11
2008 Ben Calhoun and Greg Hosfeld share a round on what makes the 1,000th different disc golf course that both of them have played. Earlier in the year, Wham-O releases a 60th Anniversary 3 Frisbee boxed set with a limited edition glow in the dark version of the original Pluto Platter.
2008 Inductees ( 2 Articles ) Juliana Korver - Dan Ginnelly
PDGA Champion - Open 2008 Kalamazoo MI David Feldberg OR 12626 $6,000 14 145
USDGC Champion 2008 – Nate Doss, California – Total: 236; Won by 4
2009 Inductees Lynne Warren Crazy John Brooks Michael Sullivan
Tigers Woods golf for the Nintendo Wii adds disc golf to the game
8/13/09 Tim Selinske passed away. Tim was one of the four founding partners of INNOVA-Champion Discs and served as the company General Manager and spokesman. Tim was a tireless promoter of disc sports in general and Disc Golf in particular.
PDGA Champion Open 2009 Kansas City MO Avery Jenkins OR 7495 $5,500
USDGC Champion Nikko Locastro overtook veteran Dave Feldberg and claimed the United States Disc Golf Championship with (-34).
10/14/2009 3,000th disc golf course installed!
UPDATES: 1.3 - added USDGC Champions 1.4 - Snapper Pierson's additions / changes
REFERENCES:
http://www.discgolfassoc.com/discgolf-news-information-resources/discgolf-education/history-of-discgolf.html
http://www.innovadiscs.com/aboutus.html
http://odgc-sc.tripod.com/dghistory.htm
http://www.uwp.edu/departments/union/discgolf/history.html
http://www.pdga.com/history
http://www.wfdf.org/index.php?sport_id=2&page=history/discgolf.htm
http://msdgc.maplehillopen.com/media_timeline.html
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040710/LIFE04/40709001
http://www.parkcirclediscgolf.com/disc-golf-history.htm
http://www.discsandmore.com/frisbee-timeline
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa980218.htm
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/frisbee.htm
http://www.discgolfhalloffame.org/home.html
Please feel free to add to this history by sending us a link or reference to more information.
San Diego Aces on PDGA Website
Big news from our San Diego Aces Disc Golf Club. Check out the article on the PDGA website! Great job guys! Thanks for all your hard work to promote disc golf in San Diego. click on picture to go to the story.