Flying Discs (Not UFOs) Expected to Land in Park

People from all over the country come to La Mirada for its disc golf course, which probably means very little to the rest of Southern California since disc golf is not exactly near the top of the professional sports hierarchy.

But disc golf, which generally involves standing in the middle of a public park and throwing a Frisbee at a small metal trash can-like basket about 400 feet away, is fast becoming the hip sport of the ‘90s, its players say.

The game is so popular, in fact, thousands of amateur and professional disc golfers will converge at La Mirada Regional Park and 200 other parks around the industrialized world on Saturday to compete in what organizers are calling the World’s Biggest Disc Golf Tournament.

The local tournament--open to all disc golf aspirants, even those who have never thrown a Frisbee--begins at 7:30 a.m. and continues throughout the day.

Disc golf follows the rules of regular golf except disc golfers use a lot less equipment and spend no time trampling turf to find lost balls. Most courses are 18 holes, with players trying to land the flying disc into the little basket in the fewest number of throws. Most holes are par 3.

About the only cost associated with disc golf is the price of a Frisbee and transportation to the La Mirada park, which has one of the best playing courses in the country, said La Mirada resident Conrad Damon, 28, a professional disc golfer, tournament organizer and computer programmer.

Just as a golfer has a bag of clubs, professional disc golfers carry a set of flying discs when they play, Damon said. Each disc is used for different functions. “You use different discs for different things, like putting or driving.” (Putting is a short throw, driving is a long heave.)

Damon, who started playing as a student at Stanford University, has competed as far away as Sweden, where he won $1,050 for third place in the 1985 world championships. His career total of holes-in-one is “somewhere between 20 and 30,” he said. To play, “you don’t have to be big and tall or real strong,” he said. “The best players aren’t necessarily athletes. It’s real easy for anybody to become a champion.”

Two courses are available on Saturday for beginning and advanced players. Experienced players will help beginners develop their game and learn the rules. Although usually there is no fee to play the course, the tournament has a $10 price to cover the cost of the competitor’s flying disc and T-shirt. Participants are encouraged to bring friends and sign up in fours.

Food and drinks will be available to buy from vendors, Damon said. He encourages participants to preregister by calling him at (714) 739-8160 or writing the La Mirada Disc Club, 14727 San Esteban, La Mirada 90638. Or, show up at the park Saturday, 13701 S. Adelpha Road, La Mirada, anytime between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and follow the signs to the disc golf course.