Disc golf is an outdoor recreational activity that involves throwing a disc or Frisbee at a target. Similar to regular golf, the goal is to get the disc to the target in as few throws as possible. The biggest difference is that all you really need for the activity is one disc and a course. It is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and to get some exercise. The sport is growing in the Johnstown area and one group is helping promote the activity in the area.
The Blair Bedford Cambria Disc Golf Organization is a recently organized group whose desires are to promote the activity throughout the area and play disc golf. The group was officially founded in November of 2011 and has taken a lead in representing disc golf throughout the area in many ways. According to their Facebook page their mission is “To promote the sport of disc golf while encouraging fellowship and friendly competition between disc golfers in Central Pennsylvania.” And they continue to work towards this goal.
One way that they work to achieve this goal is through introducing people to disc golf and teaching them how to play. They set-up displays at events throughout the area like the Earth Day Celebration at Shawnee State Park last April. Members also have assisted with demonstration days throughout the region including Blue Knob State Park. This year Eric Keim, BBCDGO President, will be offering a disc golf class through the Central Blair Recreation Commission. The class will be held on Tuesday and Thursday nights from April 9th through the 25th at the Valley View Disc Golf Course in Altoona. It is a great opportunity for learning about the sport.
In addition to promoting the sport, the organization is about playing. They have a summer long disc golf league that visits several courses throughout the area. In 2012 the 12 week long league competition took place on Wednesday nights and visited courses at Canoe Creek, Shawnee, and Prince Gallitzin State Parks as well as Valley View in Altoona. They have also worked to organize local tournaments at Canoe Creek, Prince Gallitzin and Valley View. The group also shares information with members about other tournaments throughout the state of Pennsylvania and the region.
The group is not always about fun. They also have a community service aspect. They do have scheduled work days at the courses at Valley View and Prince Gallitzin. These work days are important to help maintain the courses especially in parks where staff is already stretched thin because of government budget cuts. It is this type of participation and service that has helped the organization assist Prince Gallitzin State Park in getting approval for the first free public eighteen-hole disc golf in the three county region that the organization works in. The group has worked to construct a new course at Highland Park in Altoona.
If you are interested in joining the organization, they do have monthly meetings on the third Thursday of each month. The location changes from month to month. This month the meeting will be held at Fat Daddy’s BBQ Shak at 200 Pleasant Valley Boulevard in Altoona beginning at 6:30 p.m. If you not able to attend and would still be interested in joining the group, you can contact them by e-mail at bbcdiscgolf@gmail.com. You can also follow the organization on Facebook.
So thank you to the BBCDGO for your tireless efforts in promoting the sport of disc golf. Keep up the good work.
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