“Steady” Ed Headrick is widely regarded as the Father of Disc Golf. In 1966, he invented the Frisbee (i.e., while employed at Wham-O). Nine years later, Headrick invented the disc golf pole hole. With these two key components, disc golf was born.
Fast forward to 2022 and per the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), disc golf is one of the fastest growing sports around the world. Evidence of its popularity on a local scale is not hard to find here in Apex. Toward that end, I spoke to Patrick Fitzsimons, Pleasant Park Manager at the Town of Apex Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources.
Fitzsimons shared that Apex’s flagship (and only) disc golf course can be found at Apex Nature Park located at 2600 Evans Road. This course opened in 2014 and, like most disc golf courses, can be found in the woods.
“Over the years, the course has gone through a few updates as we’ve corrected some drainage issues and responded to input from the disc golf community. The course is maintained by our Parks Maintenance division, which is slightly different than most courses in the area, which are maintained by volunteer groups,” Fitzsimons noted.
With the requisite 18 holes and three sets of tee pads (to ensure players of all skill levels can enjoy), the course description gleaned from the PDGA site denotes it as a rolling and woodsy course with hole lengths that run the gamut from under 300 feet to a couple of holes checking in at over 400 feet. It was designed by a team from the Town of Apex that included Fitzsimons. It travels a path flanked by hardwoods and 100-year-old Loblolly pines. There is a creek in play on several back nine holes to make things a bit more interesting.
“We host two events a year. One is a two-round tournament each spring. This year’s event takes place in mid-May. The other event is a single-round glow tournament that takes place on a Friday evening in the fall. The players throw glowing discs, and we illuminate the baskets with lights. It’s a really cool event, with players using flashlights to navigate the course in the dark. This year’s glow tournament will take place on Friday, October 14. Both of these events are always well attended, usually filling up completely,” Fitzsimons said.
“Over the years, we’ve also held a series of meet-up nights, where players just show up and play the course together. These informal dates are a way to connect area players together. We’re looking at doing more of these soon,” Fitzsimons continued.
Though not specifically in Apex, the proximity of Harris Lake County Park to Apex along with the need to be thorough compelled this writer to include the Buckhorn Disc Golf Course which is located in that park in New Hill.
This Wake County tournament-caliber disc golf course offers 18 challenging baskets that include both water hazards and narrow, tree-lined fairways. There are two practice baskets located at the beginning of the course. This course was opened in 2001 in partnership with the Raleigh Area Disc League.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Jay Pontier, one of the area’s most passionate and involved disc golf supporters. Pontier has been instrumental in the Triangle disc golf community’s growth and expansion.
Apart from being the president and founding member of the Capital Area Disc League (CADL; more on that below), Pontier boasts a lengthy list of credentials, accomplishments and activities related to his undeniable passion for disc golf and the disc golf community in the Triangle. Among them:
Professional Disc Golf Association (www.pdga.com) member and course designer
Tournament Director of over 100 sanctioned and unsanctioned disc golf events
Conductor of 15 disc golf family clinics (some in Apex), summer camps, and event booths per year
As if this wasn’t enough, Pontier is also an Adjunct Professor at Meredith College and teaches Intro to Disc Golf-PED 127A Department of Nutrition, Health and Human Performance. He is also a veteran of the United States Army (Airborne).
Pontier founded the CADL in early 2008 and noted that its mantra is “Volunteer, Build, Throw & Win.” He shared that the CADL evangelizes disc golf as an enjoyable, challenging, and environmentally responsible sport suitable for participants of all ages and as a lifetime fitness activity. If these weren’t enough of a reason to give it a try, disc golf is free.
I asked Pontier what advice he would give to the burgeoning player. He was careful to note that his top five beginner tips came from Discmania’s website (www.discmania.net).
Learn the Basics
By learning the basics and building on these elements of your game, you will progress as a disc golfer. The disc golf throwing motion is an athletic movement that combines proper stance alignment, posture, and balance. You use your entire body to throw the disc—not just the arm. Keep it simple, limit unnecessary body movements and concentrate more on control and accuracy than distance.
Disc Release
Focus on keeping the disc flat and low. Always remember, flat and low. Concentrate on keeping the disc level to the ground, and the same height throughout the entire throwing motion. Take a few warm-up arm swings to determine your release point and do everything possible to keep that disc on the same level plane.
Practice, Practice, Practice
When starting disc golf, there should be no expectations and you should just go out there to play and have fun. As your play evolves and your passion grows, you will start to look for ways to improve your game. The consensus of the broader disc golf community is that you will need to dedicate yourself to a substantial amount of practice time in an open field, off the course. By throwing lots of open field discs you will refine your technique and learn the flight characteristics of your discs. Be patient with the learning process as it takes time but is very rewarding. Frustration is a frequent part of the learning curve; however, a return to basics and with ample practice, you’ll get there.
Play With Experienced Players
In addition to lots of practice, one of the best ways to become a better player is to play with better players. Once you are comfortable with your own game it’s good to see how you compare to other players who have been playing longer and are more experienced than you.
Equipment
The right equipment always helps and this is especially true when first starting out. Pontier recommends new players use a putter, a midrange and as he puts it, “an understandable driver.” The putter and the midrange will help you develop your release, understand throwing angles and ultimately develop control so you can graduate to throwing your driver for distance with accuracy and control.
Know the Rules
Like any sport, disc golf has rules you’ll need to know and these can be found here: www.discgolf.com. The consensus among players, though, is that the most important rule is the Golden Rule of disc golf which demands that you:
Behave the right way, don’t waste time needlessly, and don’t bring the group down with anger, and you’ll be quickly accepted and invited to join them again.
Resources
Also, from the newly indoctrinated to the seasoned pro, you will want to download the widely used U Disc app. It is a bounty of information and tools and includes a Course Locator, Score Card, Rule Book, Improvement Tracker and a means to Measure Shot Distances, to name just a few.
So, whether you are a seasoned disc golfing veteran or someone who needs a new diversion or hobby, Apex has a great disc golf course where you can make your mark.
For additional information related to disc golf in Apex and New Hill, visit these sites:
https://www.apexnc.org/461/Disc-Golf
https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/parks-recreation-open-space/all-parks-trails/harris-lake-county-park/buckhorn-disc-golf-course
