Disc golf tourney at North Boundary Park to benefit Butler County Humane Society
CRANBERRY TWP — Disc golf is played in a park. Dogs are often taken for walks in the park.
So why not combine the two?
The Cranberry Sunset Rotary is hosting its second annual Disc Golf Doubles Tournament on Aug. 19 at the North Boundary Disc golf course. Proceeds will benefit the Butler County Humane Society.
“People bring dogs to the park and disc golfers often have their dogs walk the course with them,” Cranberry Sunset Rotary president Jonathan Cohen said. “We thought the Humane Society would be a fitting beneficiary for this event.
“Humane Society representatives will be on hand with some dogs and cats for people to play and interact with.”
Last year’s tournament had 60 disc golfers and raised $15,000. The prime beneficiary was Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization in Mars that provides beds for children and adults who otherwise couldn’t afford them. Sleep in Heavenly Peace received $6,000 with the rest of the funds distributed to other Rotary-supported charities.
Cohen said this year’s tournament field should reach a full field of 72. Players will be accepted beyond that number, however.
“We’ll expand the field as much as we need to,” he said. “We want as many people to experience disc golf as possible. We want everyone to have a good time.”
The doubles format is designed for each two-person team to use the best shot of the pair throughout play. Some players in the field are professionals, others will be casual players “like myself, who just enjoy walking through the park and throwing a disc,” Cohen said.
Entry fee is $50 and includes a free breakfast and lunch donated by area businesses, a new disc, a player pack, T-shirt and eligibility for prizes.
“We’ve had so many prizes donated, virtually everybody is guaranteed to win something,” Cohen said.
Anyone interested in registering may visit www.dgscene.com/SunsetTournament.
The Sunset Rotary has added a different twist to this year’s event — a free Learn-To-Play Clinic at the six-hole disc golf practice area at North Boundary Park.
Andrew Greenslade, a professional disc golf player who formed Grow Your Game Disc Golf, will be on hand to give free lessons between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. the day of the tournament.
Melanie Cherry is co-owner of Camber Disc Golf, which has a 30-member pro disc golf team that competes all over the United States.
“North Boundary is the perfect venue to hold something like this,” Cherry said. “The park has that learn-to-play area that everyone sees, but people may not have discs or know anything about the game.
“Andrew can work with people on their drives, their putting, their form. He can tell them about the discs, show how they work. For anyone interested in learning the game, this is a perfect opportunity.”
A second clinic — primarily designed for more experienced players — will begin at 3 p.m., but Cherry emphasized that will be open to everyone as well.
Cherry applauds the Rotary’s efforts in making this event worthwhile for the participants as well as the receiving charities.
“It’s nice to see the sport branch out and give back in other areas,” she said. “This really promotes the game. And dogs will be there to visit ... Who doesn’t love that?””
