Finding flying fun

Josh Craig says he and his friends have always wanted to give back to the community they grew up in. Mother Mountain Anglers (MMA) club was founded with this concept in mind. MMA is a non-profit that started out as a fishing club, but disc golf has taken over in subject when the club meets.

How did this happen?

Two years ago Margaret Weber, who was a Riverside council member at the time, approached Craig about the feasibility of setting up a disc golf course in Riverside park.

Riverside funded the nine hole project and disc golf came to Carbon County’s Valley.

MMA was happy with what they accomplished, so they decided to approach the town of Encampment about putting a course in the Encampment park area behind the Grand Encampment Museum(GEM).

Encampment Town Council approved the idea and now there is disc golf in that town, too.

The Riverside disc golf course does provide opportunity to get a “throw in one” says Zeb Munson, the vice president of MMA. The Encampment course is unlikely to have anyone hit a basket in one throw.

“We just wanted to build a larger course to compliment what we did in Riverside,” said Craig.

Disc golf is similar to golf in the concept of your score is based on how many swings (throws) it takes you to sink a disc into the hole (basket).

The discs are smaller than a frisbee you may know from days in school and the beach. The baskets are not small, but the smaller disks make the chances of hitting a “hole in one” better.

The course is well laid out and the park with some baskets having a distance of 600 feet.

“The course around Number 4 is really beautiful. Disc golf is such an excellent way to have spectacular scenery around you and get to play a sport,” Craid said. “I also like the idea that we are getting people to walk around the park area not often utilized.”

Craig also likes the idea that out of town visitors coming to play disc golf can see the GEM and visitors to the museum can see people playing disc golf.

The baskets are removable, so during the Rendezvous Days the course will close and the event has the historical authenticity it strives for.

According to Munson, Craig and Shannon Fagan, the treasurer for MMA, respect for the towns was the reason the club was nominated for Organization of the Year by the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce for 2016.

“Being nominated blew us away. We were so honored to be considered,” said Craig.

The group has a Facebook page to help persons interested in the club to know what is happening.

The group has set up a $500 scholarship of for Encampment High School graduates in the name of good friend Jason Voss ,to be awarded to the pupil who demonstrates a desire for the preservation of nature and community.

Fagan, Craig and Munson say they are excited for the “Tale of Two Cities” tournament on June 23-24 and hope for a large turnout. The disc golf tournament starts at 10am on June 24 and MMA will divide the two golf courses, switch when done, then meet up at the Beartrap for a late lunch and entertainment. There is a $35 entry fee for the chance to win the grand prize. There is a women’s and men’s division. Second and third place will be awarded as well. Entry fee includes a t-shirt, dinner and entertainment Friday and Saturday nights. “I just hope the courses improve the lives of those living in Encampment and Riverside. Getting out to enjoy the park and getting exercise with friends and bringing a better quality life,” said Craig. The group members are pleased that Red Wagon is looking at carrying discs and looks forward to continuing to give back to the community they grew up in.