Disc Golf: Always Dynamic

Disc Golf: Always Dynamic

Jackie Morris loves all things disc golf, but what she loves most about the sport is how it gives her the chance to make people happy. As a Tournament Director for Dynamic Discs, she gets to deliver a fun and inclusive experience to a lot of people.

“I really love to see other people’s joy, and I get to see it a lot in this position,” said Morris.

She is one of a handful of trailblazing women to serve as a tournament director in the sport. She sees it as an honor and an opportunity to welcome more people to disc golf. And Morris feels, as a woman, she has some insights that help her elevate the experience for all.

“I decided to start running events because I was going to events around the country, and it didn’t feel like we were all being included. Sometimes the women, the intermediate or advanced players, were playing from tee pads that the pro-men were throwing from, like 1000 feet. Or there weren’t open bathrooms on the courses—things like that. And I was like, ‘Ok. I think only one thing was being thought about here. What about the juniors? The women? The skill levels that aren’t as developed as pros?’ Instead of complaining about it, I just did something about it,” said Morris.

She has channeled what she learned from those experiences into how she runs events for Dynamic Discs. Whether it is the tournaments, clinics, leagues or volunteer opportunities, Morris wants everyone to know they are welcome to be a part of the fun, no matter how new or experienced they are at the game. It also prompted her and a colleague, Denise Cameron, to start the Emporia Ladies Open, an all-women disc golf event held every October.

Emporia has a full calendar of disc events throughout the year. The Glass Blown Open and Dynamic Discs Open are in the spring. Some years, including 2022, Emporia also hosts the PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships.

But Morris is quick to point out that the opportunities to enjoy disc golf in Emporia aren’t limited to these big marquee events. “We have two events in October that are B-tier events, the All-Women’s event and the Hand-Eye Classic. There is the Monkey Island Open. There are many other local events throughout the year, some of which are fundraisers for great causes. These are ones where you don’t even need to know how to play. You can just come out and have fun.”

You don’t have to time your trip around an event either. Morris has noted more and more disc golfers are visiting Emporia for special life moments like bachelor’s or senior trips and to gather with friends from all over. They play the multiple courses in the area, take a tour of Dynamic Discs headquarters and sample all the great dining and entertainment options the town offers.

She said, “If you are a disc golfer and you haven’t explored Emporia yet, you should. You don’t have to just come for a disc golf tournament. You can make it your destination any time.”