The spin on disc golf

Meet Joe Runnels, a disc golf player who competes in tournaments and plays at courses around the country

Q: What have you done to improve your disc golf game?

A: I bought a collapsible travel basket and set it up in my backyard and I practice putting a lot. I also began taking video of my form with my iPhone so that I could see what my form looks like from the side. I got this idea from when I played ball golf, and someone showed me a video of my swing and I immediately saw several things I was doing wrong, putting my body in positions from which I couldn’t recover and make a powerful move. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, a video is worth a million.

Q: If I aspire to compete at a high level in this sport, what is the one thing I should start doing now?

A: If you want to improve at disc golf, then you have to commit some of your time to the sport. The good news is that you’ll be exercising, walking, breathing fresh air, and laughing with your friends. My second suggestion would be to join a club, figure out who the best two or three players are and then approach them for some tips. Anyone who plays disc golf regularly will be able to watch you throw and tell what you need to work on.

Q: What are the best ways to improve my putting and increase my distance?

A: Practice. Practice. Practice. My suggestion to a player who wants to improve his putting is to purchase an inexpensive travel basket and a few putters and put in the time in the backyard or at a local course. Putting is about confidence, pre-shot routine, and the space between your ears. As for increasing your distance, it comes down to one thing— technique. It has nothing to do with muscles or working out in the gym, although that certainly doesn’t hurt.

Q: What do you think are the most crucial components to being successful at disc golf?

A: Rule No. 1: Have fun. Rule No. 2: When in doubt, see Rule No. 1. Disc golf is all about getting outside and enjoying a walk in the park with a purpose. If you’re trying to get your youngster into disc golf, don’t over-coach them. Let them throw terrible shots, because everyone does it. You don’t have to be in shape and you don’t have to be young.

Wheels

Joe LaPolla, director of the Eustis Recreation Department, has a running joke about skate parks:

“If your city doesn’t have a skate park, then it already is one.”

Indeed, when youth have no access to a public skating venue, they often skate in the streets or use handrails near public facilities to perform tricks and stunts. In other words, they enjoy their sport in places that pose safety concerns.

That’s why Joe is excited about the city’s new skate park scheduled to open by late 2018. The $500,000 facility was funded in part by a grant received from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and will be located at Sunset Island Park.

Skateboarders, inline skaters, and BMX bike riders are welcome to use the park, which is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“We want the skate park to become a destination,” Joe says. “We can hold special events there and when we get lots of people to come, they’ll eat in our restaurants and purchase gas at our local convenience stores. Therefore, this park will benefit more than just skaters.”

For youth, the skate park has been a long time coming. Five years ago, a group of local skaters showed up in full force at a Ferran Park improvement project meeting and voiced their desire for such a facility.

“They spoke very maturely for their age, and then they followed up by attending city commission meetings,” Joe says. “Some of them may no longer skate, but they certainly paved the way for younger children.”

The facility is being built by Team Pain, a skate park design and construction company based in Winter Springs. Although the park will not be supervised, skaters will be encouraged to wear helmets, kneepads, and elbow pads.

A Chain Reaction

In addition to a skate park, the city of Eustis also is home to a new disc golf course. The 18-hole course, which is being designed by the Florida Disc Golf Foundation, will be built at Palmetto Point Park and is expected to open this spring.

“This is a growing sport, so for us to get a disc golf course here in Eustis is a big deal,” Joe says. “It will be for both recreational and tournament players.”

The tree-lined course will be part of the Lake County Disc Golf Trail, a series of six 18-hole, championship-caliber courses built in city and county parks.

Steven Clenney, sports development manager with Visit Lake tourism, says the trail will be instrumental in helping the county host prestigious disc golf tournaments.

“Visit Lake is extremely excited about the Lake County Disc Golf Trail driven by Innova and the substantial economic impacts that will be generated by the many visitors who will travel here to play the courses,” he says. “Our investment in growing niche sports continues to be a winning strategy. From courses designed by a former world champion and hall of famer, Gregg Hosfeld, to ongoing management and maintenance provided by the Florida Disc Golf Foundation, we have partnered with an incredible group of disc golf experts and location hosts to ensure the trail is one of the premier disc golf destinations in the country. The Lake County Disc Golf Trail is poised to make a huge splash in the disc golf world, and we look forward to welcoming athletes from all over the world to play our courses in the very near future.”

Other courses on the Lake County Disc Golf Trail include Lake Hiawatha Preserve in Clermont, Lincoln Avenue Community Park and 9th Avenue Park in Mount Dora, North Lake Community Park in Umatilla, and one at Lake-Sumter State College’s Leesburg campus.

GIVE IT A ‘TRI’

With its gentle, rolling hills and pristine lakes, Clermont has positioned itself as a premier triathlon destination. In 2018, the city will host some of the state’s most popular triathlon events, including the 34th annual Florida Challenge Triathlon and the Great Floridian Triathlon Endurance Festival.

Clermont-based Sommer Sports, a multisport event timing and management company, organizes the races.

“Our events are challenging and fun at the same time,” says Alyssa Veres, the company’s administrative and operations manager.

“Athletes who compete in our events are not just a number. We make sure they have a great time and are safe on the course at all times. Our setup for the races is different and extravagant.”

Here’s a lineup of races coming to Clermont, also known as the “Choice of Champions.”

MARCH 17

The 34th annual Florida Challenge Triathlon is at Clermont’s Waterfront Park, 100 3rd St. Triathletes can compete in one of four distance races: The intimidator triathlon (1.2mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run); the longdistance aqua bike (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike); the

Sprint Triathlon (.25-mile swim, 8-mile bike, 3.1-mile run); and the open-water swim (1.2-mile swim). Start time is 7:30am.

MARCH 18

The 35th annual Great Clermont Triathlon Festival features three races of varying distances: international distance triathlon (1.5k swim, 40k bike, and 10k run); international distance aqua bike (1.5k swim, 40k bike), and international distance duathlon (5k run, 40k bike, and 10k run.) Start time is 7:30am at Clermont’s Waterfront Park.

APRIL 7

Earth Day 5k is a 7.4-mile run around Lake Minneola.

Competitors will receive a finisher medal, an event shirt, and free race photos. Start time is 7:15am.

APRIL 8

The Lake Minneola Half Marathon and 5k allows triathletes to compete in a 13.1-mile race or a 3.1-mile race. The course, which begins at Waterfront Park, winds around Lake Minneola and the South Lake Trail. Start time is 7am for the half-marathon and 7:40am for the 5k.

APRIL 28

The U-Run U-Pick Blueberry 5k will be at Southern Hill Farms, 16651 Schofield Road, in Clermont. Racers run a loop course around clay roads in Clermont and enjoy a blueberry pancake breakfast, as well as a pint of u-pick blueberries. The race begins at 7:30am.

MAY 12

The Girlz On Fire Women’s Sprint Triathlon, held at Waterfront Park, includes a 440-yard swim, an 8-mile bike, and a 3.1-mile run. Female competitors receive a finisher medal and an event T-shirt. The race begins at 7:30am.

MAY 12

Bra Run 5k is a 3.1-mile run on the South Lake Trail. Participants are encouraged to walk or run wearing a decorated bra. Money raised will benefit the Greater Clermont

Cancer Foundation. Start time is 6pm.

JUNE 2

The first race of the Clermont Triathlon and 5k Series begins at Waterfront Park. Competitors choose one of three races: sprint triathlon (440-yard swim, 11-mile bike, 3.1-mile run); duathlon (11-mile bike and 3.1-mile run); and aquabike (440-yard swim, 11-mile bike). Races begin at 7:15am.

JULY 14

The second race of the Clermont Triathlon and 5k Series begin at Waterfront Park. Competitors choose one of three races: sprint triathlon (440-yard swim, 11-mile bike, 3.1-mile run); duathlon (11-mile bike and

3.1-mile run); and aquabike (440-yard swim, 11-mile bike). Races begin at 7:15am.

AUG. 11

The third race of the Clermont Triathlon and 5k Series begins at Waterfront Park. Competitors choose one of three races: sprint triathlon (440-yard swim, 11-mile bike, 3.1-mile run); duathlon (11-mile bike and 3.1-mile run); and aquabike (440-yard swim, 11-mile bike). Races begin at 7:15am.

SEPT. 8

The fourth race of the Clermont Triathlon and 5k Series begins at Waterfront Park. Competitors choose one of three races: sprint triathlon (440-yard swim, 11-mile bike, 3.1-mile run); duathlon (11-mile bike and 3.1-mile run); and aquabike (440-yard swim, 11-mile bike). Races begin at 7:15am.

OCT. 20

The Great Floridian Triathlon Endurance Festival is a 140.6-mile race (2.4-mile swim, 112mile bike, and 26.2-mile marathon run). Races of shorter distances also are offered, as well as an aqua bike event. They begin at 7:30am.

Source: sommersports.com