On Saturday, Oct. 14, 180 children and teens will travel to Mooney Grove Park in Visalia to compete in the second annual California Junior Disc Golf Championships – the largest, juniors-focused disc golf tournament in the world. Competitors are traveling from all across California, Arizona, Oregon, and one competitor, C.J. Wisor, is traveling from Pennsylvania.
Local World Champion Carli Beith, from Bakersfield, will be competing for the title in the 16 and under age division. Kallen Smith, who won Boys 6 and under division last year, is returning and is excited to be tackling the bigger course this year. One parent commented on the event page “this will be our first junior only tournament and my youngest first tournament. I think it’s great what you are doing for the kids. Thank you.”
Tournament Director, Andy Parkison, set out with a vision to create an event highlighting the young talent in the sport, and looked to build on the momentum from the inaugural event last year. In an altruistic gesture to “grow the sport” Parkison did not want anyone to be left out, so he made the tournament free. Eventually he had to cap it at 180 players.
Working with friends, major disc golf companies, and local businesses for sponsorships, Parkison has put together a tournament that will feel more like a big disc golf party. Disneyland was excited to sponsor the event, and donated 4 one-day Park Hooper passes. For signing up, every player will receive: 6 discs, a towel, a mini-disc to mark their lies, and Olive Garden and Jamba Juice will be providing lunch. Dynamic Discs, a major disc and disc golf-clothing manufacturer, donated 15 disc golf bags to be given away at the event.
There will be a raffle to help begin fundraising for next year’s championships, and tickets will be available for sale at the event. Each competitor will receive raffle tickets in the player’s packs, so everyone that plays will have a chance to win. Spectators can also purchase raffle tickets at the event. Some of the big prizes in the raffle include the Disneyland passes, and a DGA disc golf basket. You must be present to win.
Come out and watch these talented young disc golfers compete for the title of California Champion. The competition begins at 9am at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia. They’re going to put on a spectacular show.
For more information you can contact:
Chris Wymer – (619) 871-9475 or Andy Parkison (559) 799-8072.
Well the park usually looks half way decent just before a disc golf event After that it goes back to looking like death warmed over