Disc Golf's First Children's Book Brings the Fun to Young Minds

Michelle Jones, the 2013 Advanced Masters Women World Champion in disc golf, has found a new way to share her love for the sport - through writing and illustrating its first children's book. Gracie and the Marvelous Metal Basket, released in 2017, tells the story of a young girl named Gracie who stumbles upon a mysterious metal basket in the park while exploring with her woodland friends.

Inspired by her own grandchildren, Jones created the main character after her granddaughter Jennifer Grace, whom she modeled the character's personality and spirit. The book is written in playful rhyme, reminiscent of Dr. Seuss's style, which makes it enjoyable for both children and adults to read. Jones shared that she drew inspiration from her love of writing rhyming clues for her own daughter's birthday presents and Easter baskets when she was younger.

In Gracie and the Marvelous Metal Basket, Jones injects humor into the story that disc golf enthusiasts will appreciate. For example, Gracie exclaims, "It can't be a grill," referring to the basket's beauty. This whimsical tale encourages young readers to explore and learn about the sport of disc golf in a fun and engaging way.

While Jones was initially late to the game, she discovered her passion for disc golf when she met her husband Clay, who introduced her to the sport in 2002. They played regularly for over a decade without keeping score, focusing on enjoying the experience rather than competing. In 2013, Jones won the Women's Advanced Masters division at the PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships, marking a significant milestone in her career.

As an Innova Ambassador and events coordinator for the Gainesville Chain Hawks, Jones is committed to promoting disc golf among children and families. She and Clay have been instrumental in organizing tournaments and volunteering for various programs aimed at introducing kids to the sport. Their vision is to create a private 18-hole course on their property, where they can share their love for disc golf with others.

Jones' journey of writing Gracie and the Marvelous Metal Basket was not without its challenges. She started working on the book in 2014 but faced self-doubt and uncertainty about its reception. However, with Clay's encouragement and support, she persevered and eventually published the book. Jones hopes to write more stories featuring her grandchildren as characters and is already planning new projects.

Gracie and the Marvelous Metal Basket is now available on Amazon in both digital and paperback formats, making it an exciting read for disc golf enthusiasts and young minds alike.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/am-worlds-champ-published-disc-golf-childrens-book