The success of the 21st annual Lost Egg Classic Disc Golf Tournament is a testament to the growth of the sport throughout the country and the valley itself.
The Lost Egg Classic is a disc golf tournament in Wayne that has grown and evolved over its two-decade history. This year Craig Burrows-Johnson of the Professional Disc Golf Association said the tournament sold out its 150 spots in under an hour when registration opened.
The amateurs took to the course at 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, before the pros took the course. Each played three rounds of the 19-hole course. Local players got into the action, including Megan McLaughlin-White, who captured first place in the women’s division.
“This is our 21st Lost Egg Tournament, and everyone is always excited to come back and play disc golf in the badlands,” said Burrows-Johnson.
The Wayne course is one of the most unique courses to play, with rugged terrain and challenging targets. It has been getting recognition all over.
“It has an international reputation now. I had calls from people in Finland who were in western Canada. They are disc golfers, and wanted information on the course,” said Burrows-Johnson. He adds there is a stream of traffic from Calgary coming out to play the course.
The Wayne course is not the only course in the valley. A full 18 holes are is set up in Midland Provincial Park and is well used. There is also a beginner-style course along 7th Street East near the former St. Anthony’s School.
“The Ag Society, a grant I wrote for them was successful so we are in the process of choosing and ordering the targets for that,” said Burrows-Johnson. “That will be a second championship course in Drumheller.”
He adds that Midland is considered a championship course, but they don’t have baskets in there yet.
“We are going to need to raise about $15,000 to put good quality baskets in there, and then when we get all three built, hopefully sometime in the next year, we’ll be able to make a bid for the Canadian National Championships in Drumheller.”
He said they are looking at applying for grants, and have spoken to the Town of Drumheller for support. Ideally, he would like to see a local organization take up the torch for fundraising.
“I have been in this sport for 30 years now, and in the last five years, the growth has gone off the charts. It seems like it reached a critical mass and then it just exploded. There are so many players in Calgary they don’t have enough courses now. So some of those people are saying it is only an hour and 20 minutes to Drumheller, we’ll go out there for a day and play in a spectacular natural setting.”
