This weekend a different kind of golfer will be taking over the small community of Wayne, not with clubs, but with flying discs.
August in the valley means the return of the Lost Egg Classic. The disc golf tournament began almost two decades ago. The look and the locations have changed, but it has has spent the last nine years being played out at the permanent disc golf course in Wayne.
Craig Burrows-Johnson says the Wayne event is a Professional Disc Golf Association sanctioned event.
“Sanctioned means all the information on this tournament goes world wide. The tournament results are posted and the players all get a rating and are put into divisions,” he said.
This year they are expecting their best turnout ever with over 140 players committed to coming.This is the first time they have has to put in two flights. While organizers had to cap registration, he still invites residents to come out and see what disc golf is all about.
“Why are we doing this? One, is to promote the game of disc golf and get the community interested in playing, and two, are the players,” said Burrows-Johnson. “There are players who want to come and play in this particular course and its unique landscape.”
“It is a full 18 (holes or targets), beautifully unique and challenging course. It has literally gotten international fame from the videos that have been posted. Players from Europe will contact us wanting to know about the course.”
He says they are players from Alberta B.C. And Saskatchewan expected to come and play, and maybe a few from the United States. He expects a few local players as well.
The action starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 4 and wrap up Sunday afternoon.
“Some of the best players anywhere are coming to this event,” said Burrows-Johnson. “There is going to be some fantastic disc golf if the public wants to come and observe and learn more about the sport.”
The future of the sport in the valley also appears to be strong. Burrows-Johnson said they have approval for a second course at Midland Provincial Park.
“Going forward, we see nothing but growth for the sport in the valley because of the landscape and all the other attractions,” he said.
“We have designed and are now starting to build a second course and we will be able to double the size of the event. The second course at Midland is equally spectacular in terms of the landscape and it will be world class,” he said.
He says they are exploring the possibility of a third course, and that would make it possible to host the national championships.
“That would attract in excess of 500 players,” said Burrows-Johnson.
