Disc golf. Chances are you’ve never heard of the sport. More and more people are playing the game that consists of a combination of Frisbee and golf. Such as talents Boaz and Micah Veld from Hoogeveen. Today they participated in a competition in the Steenberger Park.
When asked what Boaz (18) would like to achieve in sport, he is clear. “The top, first in the Netherlands and then in Europe.” His brother Micah (15) nods in agreement and laughs. “He can achieve that, but he still needs a lot of practice. I’m not quite at the same level yet, but hopefully I will achieve that.”
How does the game actually work? It is very simple according to Erik Hogeboom, chairman of the disc golf association Citypark Flyers Northern Netherlands and organizer of the competition. “Almost the same as in golf. There you hit with a ball, but we have replaced it here with a Frisbee. You have to reach the hole in as few throws as possible, that is an iron cage here and we call it the basket.”
During the competition, groups of three to four people are formed. Each group plays two rounds of fifteen holes, the one with the fewest throws wins. “We play on courts throughout the Northern Netherlands,” continues Hogeboom. “So there are also several competitions. At the end of the competition we take stock. The winner will then be given the title ‘King of the North’.”
Boaz and Micah know the track in Hoogeveen like no other. “We were here yesterday to throw something,” says Boaz. And the practice pays off, because he already has a sponsor. “House of Disc gives me clothes and Frisbees, which is of course cool.” His brother Micah also hopes for a sponsor. “I don’t have one yet, but it would be great if I could.”
But is it actually an easy game? Hogeboom thinks not. “People sometimes misjudge it, because there is a lot of technique involved. You can get better very quickly, but it takes a long time to get really good after that.” So there is only one solution. “Practice a lot”, the Veld brothers add.
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