Different kind of golf for the Hagley course
Meet the local lad going up against a former world champion in a field of 176 international and homegrown disc golfers this weekend. By Tatiana Gibbs.
Christchurch’s Hagley golf course will host a different kind of golfer this weekend – those who throw discs rather than smash balls. The Garden City Open is one of the country’s premier disc golf events that attracts top players from around the world and it’s back for its second year.
Some 176 competitors will take part over three days, including former World Champion Avery Jenkins from the United States and local lad Sebastian Falconer - a top player hoping to go pro.
A semi-permanent course of chain baskets that disc golfers throw frisbees into would be installed around the traditional golf course. It was “such a treat” to play along pristine manicured fairways compared to usual the council park courses, Christchurch-based Falconer said.
As a regular top 10 finisher in the New Zealand Mixed Pro Open league, Falconer, 18, didn’t think the sport would be something he wanted to pursue professionally after the first set of discs he bought sat untouched in a cupboard for a couple of years.
But after first taking them for a spin at the local park about four years ago, he’d played “every week”.
“I enjoy the competitive side of it, that’s something that really holds my focus,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter what age you are, what stage in life you’re at, everybody treats you the same and it’s just a really positive community.”
Keen to improve, Falconer also found a way to train at home, by throwing discs into a bed-sheet hung up on a washing line. “That way I can get more reps in without having to go fetch discs if I want to work specifically on form.”
He took his skill to the international stage last year, competing at the junior world championship in the United States. He also landed sponsorship by local store New Zealand Disc Sports Supplies, and international company Discmania - getting him “a few steps towards” his longterm goal of playing fully professionally.
Winning was always Falconer’s goal at any event, but he was heading into this weekend’s competition hoping to “place well” against some tough and “exciting” international players.
Jenkins is one of those, with an international following of over 45,000 on social media and 39 years’ experience.
It’s in his blood after all: his mother Sharon Jenkins is a three-time Masters World Champion, sister Valarie Jenkins is a four-time Women’s Open World Champion, and brother-in-law Nate Doss is a three-time Men’s World Champion.
He’s travelling to Christchurch for his second time after being the honorary tournament director at last year’s inaugural event.
As a course design adviser this year, Jenkins said the distances on several holes had been stretched this year to make it “a bit more challenging” and “great entertainment” for spectators.
“I most definitely hope to inspire the young up and coming players to show them that a player lifestyle outside of anything that they have ever dreamed is available to them, if they keep persistent with their practice and strive to be the best,” he said.
“I hear a lot about the growth of popularity of disc golf especially in Christchurch .... and there’s no doubt that the Hagley Golf Course is the most ideal location.”
This weekend, there will also be clinics for beginners, side games, demonstrations by professionals, disc sales and food trucks.
The Garden City Open takes place from tomorrow to Sunday.