Alan Hilty beats conditions, foes at disc golf tournament

Twenty-two players braved blowing snow, ice and temperatures in the teens to take part in the Holmes County Disc Golf Club’s third annual Lost Course tournament at Deer Run Park on Saturday, Feb. 17.

“Disc golfers play in the snow all the time, so that isn’t an issue. The trouble begins when you have three or more inches of powdery snow like we did Saturday,” said Doug Gray, tournament director. “Discs are flying so fast that when they hit the powder, they slide under it and just disappear. A disc can be 50 feet ahead of where it went into the snow. It really slowed down play as players had to frequently look for their discs.”

Even so, players knew what to expect, with card mates doing their part to look for lost discs and keep the tournament moving forward. At the end of the tournament, Alan Hilty managed to card a 2-under-par 58 to take first place. Anthony Hilty, Derek Troyer and Sherwin Good all shot even, with a playoff ensuing to determine second and third place.

Starting back on hole one, a 290-yard hole that breaks subtly to the right, Anthony Hilty made a strong bid for second by almost acing it, his throw hitting just under the basket, right off the metal post. Hilty went on to birdie the hole to take the runner-up spot, sending Troyer and Good on to hole two, a 240-yard tightly wooded hole. Good, teeing off first, hit an early tree, which allowed Troyer to line up a risky shot that required a long, high drive that would then break sharply to the left. Troyer nailed the tight window through the trees and dropped his disc right behind the basket. Though Good’s upshot was exceptional, putting him within 4 feet of the basket, Troyer easily sunk his putt to take third.

Austin Shetler got the tourney’s prize for the longest drive, and Zach Didinger got the prize for closest to the pin.

The HCDGC thanks its sponsor, Hershberger Lawn Structures, for its support of disc golf in Holmes County. Those interested are encouraged to stop by the shop at Hershberger Lawn Structures, 8990 state Route 39, Millersburg. For those curious about disc golf, discs may be borrowed at the Holmes County Library.