5 Fun Facts About National Disc Golf Day | Professional Disc Golf Association
Date Published
It's that time of year again! The first Saturday in August marks the third annual National Disc Golf Day, a joyous occasion where disc golf enthusiasts unite to celebrate their beloved sport. As we prepare to hit the courses, let's take a moment to appreciate the efforts of Sara Nicholson and Jason Wilder, the masterminds behind getting disc golf recognized nationwide.
But before we delve into the fascinating history surrounding this special day, let's clarify that National Disc Golf Day didn't emerge overnight. In fact, its roots stretch back to the 1970s on both the East and West Coasts. On August 4-5, 1974, New York's Greater Rochester Disc Golf Club hosted the American Flying Disc Open, a pioneering event that gave away a brand-new Datsun B210 to champion Dan "Stork" Roddick. This marked the beginning of disc golf's East Coast legacy.
Fast-forward to 1977, when "Steady" Ed Headrick was granted the first patent for a chain-based disc catching device – a revolutionary innovation that paved the way for the baskets we use today. The AFDO and this groundbreaking patent are just two significant milestones in National Disc Golf Day's rich history.
As it turns out, August 1st isn't the only special occasion being celebrated today. We're also honoring our nation's maritime heroes (National Coast Guard Day), indulging in delicious Jamaican Patties (National Jamaican Patty Day), and perhaps even treating ourselves to a sweet dessert (National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day).
So what does National Disc Golf Day mean to you? As Jason Wilder so eloquently put it, "Just like any other holiday, no one person or company owns or directs National Disc Golf Day. We all share it and we all celebrate it in our own way." With that in mind, we invite you to share your unique celebration with us on social media using #nationaldiscgolfday. Two lucky golfers will be chosen to receive a PDGA membership, so don't miss out!
From the entire disc golf community, Happy National Disc Golf Day!
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/5-fun-facts-about-national-disc-golf-day