Unfinished Business

Our summer travels are at an end, and we are back home in Utah. I’m back at school, but our memories of a wonderful time back east are still fresh in our minds. I want to share an experience that has resonated with me for the past two summers, Disc Golf. The adventure began in the summer of 2021 when I read about the connection between disc golf, beer, and cannabis in a free publication that I picked up at Trinken Brewing Co., a craft brewer in Bath, Maine. My memories of playing Frisbee Golf (can’t call it that any more, for trademark reasons!) in the quad at college came flooding back. Why not try it out?

Off we went on our bikes to find Ackers Acres on the backroads surrounding Merrymeeting Bay. Find it we did, along with hundreds of other fans, as they happened to be hosting a tournament during our visit. There was a happy “buzz” to the crowd and we learned from the young attendant manning the shop that the course was closed for the day due to the tournament, but that we were welcome to watch and enjoy the food truck offerings along with a cold brew. And yes, there was the hint of grass in the air!

Intrigued, we vowed to return and give the game a try. It took us a year but this summer, we made it back for a full 18 holes. Once again, the cozy clubhouse was manned by a younger member of the Acker family. She guided us in our selection of two discs, one for distance and the other for putting. Off we went following the well-marked holes aiming for the sturdy chain link basket that served as the “hole”.

The first nine holes went quickly despite hitting many trees along the way. We vowed to improve on the back nine and indeed, we did, learning how to correct the tendency for the disc to trail left. Before we knew it, we were back with our young guide scouting out disc sets, carts, and backpacks, as we learned that accomplished players carry a full set of discs with them, much like golfers carry bags with 14 clubs, each with a different purpose! Many of the sets honored founding players and sported logos that reminded me of heavy metal bands.

We also learned about the network of disc golf courses stretching across the country. Who knew that 222,553 players are registered in the Professional Disc Golf Association. Disc golf courses tend to be built in more natural surroundings and require less maintenance than traditional golf courses, thus resulting in much lower fees, and many public courses are free. Could disc golf be the key to finding common ground for people in these divided times?

Well, I for one, plan on playing again. A starter set of discs costs only $28.99 at Amazon and the University of Utah boasts a free ten-hole course on the edge of their campus, and courses abound all over Utah. I might even meet some Junior Rippers along the way. And rest assured, a cold beer will be welcome after the round.

Frisbee memories abound so please share other flying disc stories.

Keep moving, stay safe, have fun!