Disc
golf enthusiasts of all playing levels will soon converge in Brainerd —
and all in the name of Scouting. The Boy Scouts of America’s Pine Tree
District, which covers the Brainerd Lakes Area, will host a public disc
golf fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 4, at Brainerd’s Lum Park.

“Disc
golf is so fun, I even play in below-zero weather,” said Nate
Phillipps, the Brainerd-based Boy Scouts district executive who came up
with the all-ages public fundraiser idea. “It’s a good opportunity to
get outdoors, for both youth and adults.”

The May 4 event,
sponsored by disc golf manufacturer Discraft, will be divided into two
components: a disc golf tutorial from 11 a.m. to noon and a tournament
from 1 to 5 p.m. The educational component, where anyone interested in
the sport can learn how to play, is being made possible by an area disc
golf league.

“The Fly-By Disc Golf League has helped out with
disc golf instruction in Aitkin’s Fit City program for the past two
years and is looking forward to teaching in Brainerd,” said Greg
Fagereng, who runs the league. “Disc golf is for everyone, young and
old alike; we hope to see new faces.”

To help ease new players
into this low-cost outdoor activity, those who register and pay online
by the end of March will receive two Discraft discs popular with
beginners.

The second half of the event, the tournament, will
commence after an hour-long “free play” session around Lum Park’s disc
golf course. This hour was designed as both an opportunity for new
players to test out everything they’ve learned and for tournament
participants to warm up before they start competing for prizes.

“Even
those who are new to the sport have much to gain from competing in the
tournament portion of the fundraiser,” said Matt Perrine, the event’s
tournament director. “Simply playing alongside more experienced disc
golfers is invaluable when it comes to learning the sport. Plus, most
disc golfers are more than generous when it comes to sharing their
discs, and trying out fresh plastic is always a ton of fun.”

Those
who register for the tournament portion and pay online by the end of
March will receive a special-edition Discraft disc that is only
available at special events such as this.

Each half of the event
costs $20, and all proceeds benefit area Scouts. Those interested in
both components pay only $35 and still get all three free discs if they
register and pay by the end of March. Interested persons may register
to play today at http://tinyurl.com/playdiscgolf. For more information
about the event, visit http://tinyurl.com/boyscoutsdiscgolf or contact
Nate Phillipps, Boy Scouts of America district executive, at
715-431-0189 or nateph@bsacmc.org.