Brian Graham takes interest in disc golf to form new club

Posted Oct. 12, 2022

By Jayden Starr

Cub Reporter

ELA teacher Brian Graham, with the help of head custodian Kert Keller as co-advisor, have started a Disc Golf Club.

Graham doesn’t know how many students will join the club, but he’s hoping 5 to 15-20 join the club if interested. Graham will provide discs for the club, which will meet on Tuesdays in room 152. 

Graham hopes to practice disc golfing on the school campus. The first year he doesn’t think the club will start competing, but next year the club might form a team and compete.

“Many people say, ‘Grow the sport,’” Graham said. “They want more people to play disc golf, more money in disc golf, more exposure in media. Disc golf grew a lot in the last five years, and especially during the pandemic. It's nice that there are more tournaments to play in, more money to be won in the tournaments, and more courses being made. However, the courses are more crowded now, so when I go to my favorite course I have to wait on the teepad for everyone in front of me. That's annoying. So, I have mixed feelings about disc golf becoming more popular. I was fine playing by myself, or with my brother or my friends, on an empty course.”

Graham started playing disc golf when he was 13 years old living in Montana. He didn’t compete in tournaments as a child. He and his friends played the sport for fun. 

Graham started competing five years ago, in 2017. When he competes in tournaments, his tournament goal is the cash. 

"Big tournaments cost money, but it’s better than having to pay every time civilians go disc golfing or watch disc golfing at a course," he said. "I also don't really care that the professional disc golfers are making million dollar deals with the disc companie. I already have a job, so I don't have a financial interest in disc golf becoming more popular.” 

Graham enjoys disc golfing at Dabney’s State Park during summer due to its beautiful scenery. He disc golfs three to four times a week during summer, and once or twice during school weeks. He golfs all year long no matter the weather, when the wind isn’t blowing harshly.  The wind can change the whole game.  The longest distance Graham has thrown a disc on flat ground was 450 feet, and the longest distance he’s thrown it downhill was 1000 feet. Graham once rolled a disc a mile on a beach. When he throws a disc, the usual distance is 350-450 feet. 

Graham doesn't recall a disc golfer who inspired him, and he doesn’t watch the sport on television. When he's disc golfing, he doesn’t consider the other competitors as enemies, but as competitors he wants to be better than in the future. 

Disc golf terms are the same terms used in golf.  Putters, midrange discs, and driver discs are all used. Midrange discs are used for throwing straight and driver discs are used for throwing far.  The t-pad is where disc golfers throw the disc to begin a hole. The objective is to land the disc in a chain basket, referred to as "the chains." Competitors listen to music when they disc golf, trying to make as many birdies as they can.

The Disc Golf Depot is a popular store to buy discs, which are generally inexpensive,  costing as little as $8. Disc golfing is significantly less expensive than golf. Oregon State parks charge $5 per day to play, but disc golfers can purchase a yearly pass for $50. Spectators, or a gallery, usually only follow a big tournament on the pro tour. Those tournaments do usually charge spectators to watch. There’s no certain attire disc golfers wear. The shoe of choice is usually running or hiking shoes.

The Beaver State Fling is a big disc golfing tournament. If students want to visit a disc golf course, there’s one in Gresham at Rockwood Park. If students wish to contact Graham, they can visit his classroom in room 152 or via email brian_graham@ddsd40.org. There is also a link to join the Disc Golf Club in the club information document  in each student's Class of 202X Google Classroom.