New Zealand Disc Golf Championships

Tauranga. Bay of Plenty: Disc golfers from New Zealand, Australia, the USA and Europe will gather at Tauranga's McLaren Falls Park, February 7-10, for the biggest tournament of its kind ever held in this country. New Zealand is ranked at number three in the world behind the USA and Canada.

Our best players will be battling it out in the Pro division for a shot at the biggest prize money ever seen in this sport in New Zealand. “We've attracted the biggest turn-out in New Zealand disc golf history” said tournament Co-Director Haydn Shore. 98 players are set to tee off in the main event, sponsored by European disc manufacturer Discmania, on Friday.

Disc golf is very similar to ball golf but instead of trying to get a ball in a hole, disc golfers throw Frisbee-like discs at steel basket targets. Players carry a range of drivers, mid range and putting discs and the holes have par 3, 4 or 5 just like ball golf.

The tournament takes place in the upper part of McLaren Falls Park, using the beautifully laid-out and fully basketed course provided by the Tauranga City Council. In addition to the permanent course, a temporary nine basket course has been set up in the equestrian area at the top of the park.

Long-time Tauranga disc golfer and event Co-Director, Dazz Switalla says “The special event extra holes are designed so spectators can stay close to one spot and see this amazing sport without venturing too far from the car, and so the top players can be tested right to the end.”

“Some of these players can throw a disc 200m and land it next to a target the size of a person. They can even make the special golf discs go around obstacles.” said Haydn.

With the warm weather set to continue, leafy McLaren Falls Park is the perfect place, this weekend, to find a shady tree and watch some of the best disc golfers compete in one the fastest growing sports in the world.