PINE GROVE — They called themselves the “die-hards.”
Sixteen players weathered Saturday’s torrential downpours to compete in the Throw for the Lake 2 disc golf tournament at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park, Pine Grove.
“We wanted to try to get people out to play on our course, plus it benefits the Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation. We wanted to give revenue back to them because of how much they support us,” Drew Kline, park manager, said of the group.
Richard Matyas drove an hour from his home in Sugarloaf to compete in the Grandmaster category for players age 50 and above.
“It’s recreational and it keeps you in shape,” Matyas, 55, said.
Last year, he competed in a doubles tournament in Pine Grove, he said.
“It’s a nice little course,” he said.
Most disc golf courses Matyas plays on are located in state parks. He’s been playing disc golf for about a decade and also visits courses at Hickory Run and Frances Walter Dam.
On days like Saturday, Matyas offered the tip, “Bring lots of towels.”
Kerry Martin brought along his son, Jevon, 18, to compete. Martin said he’s played the Pine Grove course a few times. He started playing disc golf about two years ago.
“A friend of my son’s invited us, and that’s when I got started,” Martin, Lebanon, said.
Players gathered at the Waterfall Parking Lot pavilion then began two rounds of play at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start.
According to Kline, the tourney is a C-Tier singles event, meaning that it’s sanctioned with the Professional Disc Golf Association. It’s the second year the county park has hosted the event. Last year, players had perfectly clear weather conditions and there were about 25 competitors, Kline said. Other disc golf tournaments offered in the county include events at Twin Grove in Pine Grove and Villas Crossing in Tamaqua, he said.
Disc golf was implemented at Sweet Arrow Lake in 2013, and there were some course re-designs and upgrades made in 2015, Kline said.
Several community businesses sponsored the event and were included on the back of the golf course map and program. Dynamic Discs, Kansas, provided some merchandise items and discs that could be used as prizes. Other prizes included trophies, T-shirts, disc golf bags and hats.
Winners were Amateur Divisions/Men’s Advanced: first, Ricky Dunkailo; second, Brandon Gubish; third, Drew Kline; Men’s Intermediate: first, David Heckman; second, David Highley; third, Frank Nick; Men’s Recreational: first, Josh Ambearle; second, Ernie McCracken; and third, Nathan Heckman.
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