Disc golfers hold shoot-out at Hyzer Pines

"We're all here to support the course," Ryan Lane, professional disc golfer, yelled at the crowd. "T-pads are worn down, we're making trails. We need to raise money for the course. There has been some theft, so we need to put in rebar or concrete. We also want to put in benches."

Saturday's shoot-out at the disc golf course at Hyzer Pines, next to Sisters Park & Recreation District headquarters, was a great opportunity for beginners to meet and play with the pros.

Lane immediately jumped into the first of several of the day's pro clinics. The enthralled crowd moved in closer as Lane explained the different types of shots: "This is a 'pancake' overhand shot," he explained. "Thumber, like a softball, thumb on underside of disc. Here's a forehand, where you put a couple fingers forward.

"In Frisbee you're flipping it toward a friend. In disc golf your body becomes the weapon. You have to use your body in order to become the weapon."

Lane demonstrated some long distance throws using "X- steps" and stepping into the throw.

"Sometimes you need to cross step into the shot," he said. "Start by aiming in the opposite direction."

Nearly half the day's attendees had never played disc golf. Lance Brant, long time golfer, Rotary member, and one of the sponsors for the event, brought his sons Billy and Joey for a day of play.

"I haven't played before today and my kids haven't played," he said. "This is great."

Billy was thrilled about a fourth-place match play win on the putting course and scored a Hyzer Pines disc and a logo bag for his disc collection.

"Wait," he said, "Joey won on the mini course, I couldn't do those as well." Joey scored a shirt and a disc for his second-place win.

The morning started with eight pros and advanced amateurs going out with the beginners to compete with them and offer training and pointers. Marcus Crespi, carrying a bag loaded with about two dozen discs explained to his group: "Use different discs to control where you're going. A driver disc is more aerodynamic for distance. A putter is much thicker. Some discs will fly straight, then curve left at the end.

"Another disc," he explained pulling them from his bag for a visual demo, "will actually fly straight for 200 feet, then curve right and curve left. And all discs are weighted differently from 160 to 175 grams."

At Hyzer Pines, it's not just a challenge throwing the distance accurately at a target, but skirting all the trees.

Jenine Gunn, the day's only woman competitor, has played for a few months. She started by following her boyfriend around the course, then got hooked.

"It's the underrated sport," she said. "It's a lot harder than it looks. Takes a lot of commitment, but also it's for anyone. "

Jeremiah Johnson, another advanced amateur who chose to play pro today commented, "At the big events you can register as a pro, but the pros play so consistently. They have a good mental game."

He plans to register as a pro next year.

"Being around good players also helps you play better," he said.

Several Sisters Rotary members, sponsors of the event, came to watch or play. Mark Reifschneider, first-time player, won his first round and had to call his wife to explain that he wouldn't be home because he won. For winning round one, he got to compete against advanced amateur, Joey Moro.

"I got to see more trees," Reifschneider commented when they returned from their round, explaining that he noticed the trees as his disc hit them.

Moro won that round.

The pros played nine holes and continued on if there was a tie. Lane, who was the day's final pro winner, consistently tied with his competitors going into holes 13 and 14.

The day ended with a long distance "throw off," won by Crespi.

The Hyzer Desert Rebels of Bend, currently about 140 members, compete on the course every Tuesday afternoon. Generally, 30 Rebels compete each week.

"Anyone can come and join us," Lane said.