5 minute read
West Kentucky Disc Golf Open 2022
By Karen Hammond
In the past 15 years, disc golf has really taken off in western Kentucky. The West Kentucky Disc Golf Club got started in 2006 when Paducah Parks Services had a course designed and built at Stuart Nelson Park. What began as a few guys playing turned into a large club with chapters in Paducah, Mayfield, Marshall, and Calloway.
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For the past seven years, the Club has hosted an annual tournament, the West Kentucky Disc Golf Open. 2022 is its eighth year and it’s bigger than ever. I spoke to Tournament Director and Club President, Justin Taraba.
“The West Kentucky Disc Golf Open 2022 will be held at the Stuart Nelson Park course in Paducah on August 20, “ said Taraba. “Play starts at 9am and usually finishes between 4pm and 5pm. Registration for the event began in May and the slots filled up in record time. Please note there is already a waitlist, but if you’d like your name added just contact me. Closer to the tournament day I may be able to finagle a few people in to fill up cards and make the groups on each hole an even number. The fee is $60. We plan for a field of 72 but we can usually take a few more players depending on their division.” “Each player gets a Player Pack which this year includes a club t-shirt, a custom stamped disc, custom resin mini discs with names and numbers, as well as a disc dot (putting aide). Our sponsor, Trilogy, has provided some great swag and there’s a raffle at the end of the day . We have bags, games, and more! At the end of the tournament, the winners are announced and awards handed out. Top players win cash and there’s usually some grilling and a few beverages consumed. It’s a lot of fun.”
If you’re planning to come out to play or watch the 2022 West Kentucky Disc Golf Open please be aware that parking is limited. Most people park on the gravel lot near Stuart Nelson baseball fields. This is the perfect event to attend by bike as the course is right on the Greenway Trail.
High Level of Play
“The West Kentucky Disc Golf Club is a member of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). They have a ranking system that we use for the tournaments. Since 2002, PDGA Player Ratings have been used to group amateur players in competition divisions to prevent players from entering divisions below their rating. A player can play at a higher level if they want to but not lower than their rating. For instance, I usually score 5 to 6 under par which put me in the highest division as an amateur.”
“We would love to have spectators and it’s a great event for families to come along and watch. I guarantee you’ll see some top-notch disc golf. We have the highest-ranked advanced player field we’ve ever had in this year’s tournament - it’s very exciting!”
West Kentucky Disc Golf Club
Disc golf is a cheap and entertaining sport that the whole family can participate in. Although it takes skill to be an expert, you can start with no skills at all. It’s a great sport for multiple age groups, families, and even seniors. You can play at any level of fitness and even from a wheelchair! It’s a nice leisurely walk in the outdoors and a great way to get some exercise. It’s quite a thrill when the disc flies into the cage at the end of the hole!
The West Kentucky Disc Golf Club has several chapters, some more active than others. Players usually travel to different local courses each week. The Paducah chapter plays on Tuesday night at Stuart Nelson. Marshall County is Thursday and they rotate play between the three courses they have. Mayfield chapter plays on Sunday afternoons.
“The Paducah Club has officially 105 bag tags out this year, “ said Taraba. “Tags are the way most clubs make play more interesting and competitive for our members. The tags have the club logo on them and are used as the prize for winning. If you have Tag 10 and the player with Tag 20 beats you, you swap tags. Everyone is playing for that number one tag. We see a couple of hundred players annually. We have members who travel from southern Illinois and central Kentucky, even northern Tennessee.”
The club holds an annual picnic where they hand out awards for the year and name a club champion. There are also several fundraising events. There are some great prizes awarded each year.
For more information about the West Kentucky Disc Golf Club contact Justin Taraba at 270.205.5654. Learn how to play at discgolf. com/how-to-play-disc-golf.
Local Courses
Paducah (2)
18-hole course at Stuart Nelson Park & 9-hole course in Mid-town.
Benton
18-hole course at Mike Miller Park
Murray
27-Hole at Central Park - most have two baskets!
Metropolis, Illinois
18-hole, lovely, wooded course at Fort Massac
Oak Grove
18- Hole Veterans Memorial course in Veterans Park
