Aussie Disc Golf Day Aims to Unite Players Across the Country in Virtual Tournament

On Saturday, November 21, a unique opportunity will bring together thousands of disc golf enthusiasts from every corner of Australia in a virtual tournament. The Aussie Disc Golf Day, organized by the Australian Disc Golf (ADG) association, is a first-of-its-kind event that aims to unite players across the country despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australian Disc Golf Chairperson Luke Turnbull, who has been instrumental in organizing this event, spoke with us about the background and vision behind Aussie Disc Golf Day. With over 15 years of experience in disc golf, Turnbull's passion for the sport is evident as he shares his story of how he got hooked on disc golf after being "reluctantly dragged out" for his first throw in 2012.

Turnbull's journey in disc golf began with attending events across Australia and even organizing a mini tour of South East Asia in 2019. As state representative for New South Wales, Turnbull has been involved in various capacities, including TD roles, volunteering at the 2017 Aussie Open, and helping to bring international coverage to the Australian Disc Golf Championships.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, disc golf has seen an unprecedented growth in Australia, with nearly 800 new players joining the sport in 2020 alone. The registered player base has increased from less than 1900 at the end of 2019 to over 3700, and local clubs and retailers are struggling to keep up with demand.

Aussie Disc Golf Day is an attempt to replicate the spirit of community that defines disc golf in Australia. With a focus on welcoming new players into the fold, the event has attracted over 300 brand-new players who will participate in their first-ever tournament.

The event was born out of necessity when the ADG board realized that the Australian tour and championships would likely be impacted by travel restrictions and decreased sponsorship. A working party comprising Turnbull, Emilie Cameron (ADG secretary), and Kingsley Flett (media co-ordinator) came up with the idea for a virtual tournament in collaboration with the PDGA.

With the help of Steve Ganz from the PDGA, the team has been able to facilitate this unique event that promises to bring the community together despite geographical distances. Over 550 players will participate across 16 events, including multiple events in Perth and some cities hosting their first-ever Aussie Disc Golf Day tournament.

Turnbull's vision for the day is simple: "Everyone having fun, making new friends, and being part of the family." With a sense of pride in being able to say that their event is one of the largest or with the highest per capita attendance, the excitement level is palpable. As Turnbull emphasizes, "The community aspect is the biggest part of disc golf in Australia for me," highlighting the significance of this virtual tournament in bringing players together.

With a modest field of 40 players at Inverleigh Disc Golf – a site intended to host the postponed Championships – and multiple events across the country, Aussie Disc Golf Day promises to be an unforgettable experience. As Turnbull concludes, "Just having the opportunity to play is a good enough win for me."

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/aussie-disc-golf-day-tap-weekend