GCF

Cheer the 'ching': Big Sky Disk Golf course now boasts 18 holes
By JOLENE KELLER Lone Peak Lookout
Disc golf, Frisbee golf, or "frolf" if you will is one of the perfect activities for those looking to get outside on Big Sky's refreshing spring days. And thanks to several motivated Big Sky residents, disc golfers have the opportunity to toss their discs around whenever they'd like.
Last spring Big Sky residents Jason Meyers and Home Kenny, along with the help of the Big Sky Owners Association and other sponsors brought a nine-hole disc golf course to the Meadow.
Meyers and Kenny designed a course and gave the proposal to the BSOA. They got permission to use land owned by the Water and Sewer district, the Big Sky Community Coalition donated $3,000 to buy seven baskets, the remainder of the funds were sponsored by community members and the rest is Big Sky disc golf history.
"It's been a pretty big community effort," said Meyers. "A lot of the people that play here have been working together to make it work."
This summer, with the addition of a back nine, the course was expanded to 18 holes and an additional practice basket next to hole one for working on putting skills.
Most days the course is busy with disc golfers throwing and roaming round the course.
Complete with quality baskets and labeled holes, Big Sky's disc golf course is better than most others that are often difficult to navigate, according to the organizers. It's also dynamic. There are three different potential basket placements for each hole, and every few weeks they're moved around to create a new experience.
"We have a really nice course here," said Meyers. "It's fun, it's challenging and full of trees, and we bought the best baskets you can buy. We want it to bring business to Big Sky."
On July 17 the Montana State Doubles Disc Golf tournament will be held at the Meadow Village disc golf course, bringing in some of the best disc golfers in the state. Four bands from Billings will be playing free shows under the band shell nearby.
"It's going to be a big festival in the park. Everybody should come out, even if you don't play disc golf it'll be a great time," said Meyers.
The basics
Disc golfing requires a strong throwing arm and good aim, but more importantly it requires the desire to be outdoors and enjoy the day and scenery that surrounds the course.
It's similar traditional golf, except players use specially made plastic discs instead of balls and clubs, throwing them for "par" at an above-ground target basket instead of a hole in the ground. There are different types of discs used for different purposes, much like ball golfers use different clubs.
The object is to throw a golf disc into the target — usually a steel basket over which chains hang — in the fewest number of throws. A player begins by "driving" from a designated tee area and continues toward the target, throwing each following shot from the spot where the previous throw landed.
Hole lengths vary, but generally fall between 150 and 500 feet each. Trees, shrubbery, water and terrain changes offer plenty of hazards to avoid, and it becomes very possible to lose a disc in forested areas.
Finally, a successful "putt" sends the disc into the target. Hearing the "ching!" as a disc hits the chains before dropping into the basket is about as satisfying as it gets for a disc golfer.
Big Sky Disc Golf events
Women's Clinic: Mondays at 5:30 p.m. starting June 14. An experienced female disc golfer will teach different disc styles, throwing techniques and basic skills and then take it to the course.
Handicap League: Sundays at 6 p.m. starting May 23. $3 to play. $1 goes towards course maintenance, $2 towards payouts. Improve your handicap and win some cash.
Camp Big Sky Kids' Clinic: Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the summer. Contact Katie Coleman to get signed up kcoleman@3rivers.net or visit. bsccmt.org/camp-big-sky.php
July 4: Fun disc golf tournament for all skill levels
July 17: Montana State Doubles Championship. Competitive disc golf and four free bands playing nearby.
Coming in August: Ace Race Hole in One Tournament. Entry is $25 for two prototype discs. With baskets placed so every hole is ace-able, compete to see who can land the most holes in one to win a prize package.
The Disc Golf League is still looking for donations to maintain and update the course. Contact the BSCC to find out more at 993-2112.