Regina disc golfers host 1st annual Tommy Douglas Open

With the trees changing colour and the temperatures dipping slightly more every week, Regina disc golfers took advantage of a sunny weekend for the last tournament of the season.

On Saturday the Regina Disc Golf Association hosted its fourth annual year-end tournament, under a new name, the Tommy Douglas Open at Douglas Park. This is the fourth year of the tournament, but the first year under its new name.

Disc golf is played and scored like regular golf, but players throw specialized frisbees rather than smacking golf balls with clubs.

The player who takes the fewest strokes to get to a basket wins the hole. Just like regular golf,the disc-golf park in Regina has 18 holes, all of which are par 3.

Nolan Flegal is one of many who entered the tournament. He said the sport is easy to learn and a great way to enjoy Saskatchewan summers.

"The best thing about disc golf is it's pretty accessible and it's really cheap," Flegalsaid. "Most people know how to throw a disc so it's easy for anyone to come out to the course and play.Any skill level goes. It's really casual and it's great to be outdoors."

The tournament featured two rounds of disc golf as well ascontests to see who could get closest to the pin and have thelongest drive. Players entered across three divisions: novice, advanced and open.

"For the average player that's been playing for a few years they can par this course," Flegal said. "For players in the top pro-bracket they are looking to be under par for sure."

Disc golf has been gaining momentum in Saskatchewan with courses in Regina, Saskatoon, Martensville, Prince Albert, North Battleford, Humboldt, Vanscoy, Lumsden, Yorkton, Manitou Beach and Waskesiu.

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The City of Saskatoon has been working with GopherTown Disc Golfto set up a second course in the Bridge City.