Irish Dreams: Bringing Disc Golf to the Emerald Isle

It was serendipity that brought together two passionate individuals, Ken Jarvis and David Moore, to bring disc golf to Ireland. Ken, a former professional player from the USA with an unparalleled love for the sport, had been championing disc golf in Ireland through his Facebook page, Disc Golf Ireland. Meanwhile, David, an Irishman living in America, had been trying to introduce disc golf to Ireland for over 10 years but was met with skepticism and lack of support.

Their collaboration sparked a new wave of enthusiasm and motivation, as they hatched a plan to raise funds for the first course in the Republic of Ireland. Initially, they promoted the sport through Ken's Facebook page, introducing the uninitiated to disc golf and showcasing its potential to investors and visionaries. The interest soared, with over 2000 likes on the page.

David discovered the Marco Polo Grant offered by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), specifically designed to promote disc golf in new countries. After applying for the grant, they were generously awarded $5000, which they pledged to use towards building a top-notch course.

To ensure success, Ken and David committed to actively promoting the sport, exposing as many people as possible to its joys. Ken's ambassadorial skills shone through at three successful demonstrations, introducing over 1000 people to disc golf. The first demonstration was held at Santry Park in Dublin during an Ultimate meet, where 200 players were introduced to the basics of disc golf.

The second and third demonstrations took place on April 20th, 2014, as part of the city of Dublin's annual Easter family treasure hunt. Coincidentally, Kippure Estate, a possible location for Ireland's first course, was involved in organizing the event. Ken added a "disc golf challenge" to the final activity, which turned out to be a huge success, with over 1000 people participating on that single day.

Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, as they have joined forces with the Irish Flying Disc Association (IFDA), an established sporting organization that will represent disc golf on a national level in Ireland. More exhibitions and demonstrations are planned for the coming months, and Ken's Facebook page remains a hub for updates and enthusiasm.

If you're interested in learning more about their journey or would like to support their efforts, please visit their GoFundMe page. By joining forces with Ken and David, you can help bring disc golf to Ireland and create new opportunities for enthusiasts across the country.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/pdga-awards-5000-marco-polo-grant-bring-disc-golf-ireland