Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow) – Sept 10, 2024- Jonesboro is often associated with a significant moment in disc golf history due to the efforts of local enthusiasts and events that helped popularize the sport in this region.
The city gained significant prominence in disc golf in the 1980s when several locals began to promote the game and organize tournaments. The efforts of local players contributed to the growth of disc golf in the area.
Robert “Uncle Bob” Thurmon, who died in 2011, founded the Jonesboro Disc Golf Club. He moved to Jonesboro around 2005, revamping the club’s course and installing tee pads. This ensured the course, located at Craighead Forest Park, was ready for sanctioned competition.
In addition, Bob Myers, who moved to the area around 2010, is responsible for giving the course nine more holes, building concrete tee pads, and improving course baskets. With these improvements came more sanctioned tournaments.
Doug Butler currently manages the Craighead Forest Park courses.
Arkansas State University’s involvement began when Seth Findley established a disc golf team in 2013. In 2014, the newly formed team went to the national championship in their inaugural session. The university also began integrating disc golf into campus recreational activities.
A-State’s disc golf team achieved national success in collegiate disc golf tournaments and participated in several major events where they have consistently performed well. In 2017-2019, the team competed in the National Collegiate Disc Golf Championship, which was a landmark moment that showcased the team’s skill and dedication on a national level.
They were also conference champions five consecutive years in a row starting in 2016. Their success in this tournament elevated the university’s reputation in the disc golf community and also contributed to the growth of disc golf as a recognized collegiate sport.
Not only that, starting in 2017, Jonesboro has been one of the featured cities on the Disc Golf Pro Tour Circuit, now known as the Jonesboro Open, bringing the world’s best professional disc golfers to the city of Jonesboro each, which takes place at the Disc Side of Heaven.
Disc Side of Heaven was developed and designed by Brad Peitz. The compound features three courses: a recreational and two professional-level courses. Eli Webb acts as course steward for the recreational side of Disc Side of Heaven, where he works with the City of Jonesboro to maintain and develop the course.
Disc golf originated in the 1970s. It was inspired by traditional golf on a course but used flying discs as an alternative to golf balls. The first organized round of disc golf was played in 1975 in Pasadena, California and became popular with California locals.
It was then that a man named Ed Headrick envisioned and patented the first flying frisbee and later helped found the Disc Golf Association (DGA) in 1976, which helped form a new international sport and promoted installation and use of disc golf courses around the world. In 1977, Headrick and his son Ken developed the first modern disc golf catching device with metal chains that can catch a disc from all directions called the Disc Pole Hole.
By the 1980s, the sport had gained popularity and began to spread across the United States and internationally, thanks to efforts by organizations like the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). The now popular sport involves throwing a disc into a series of metal baskets, originally designed by Headrick, with the goal of completing a course in the fewest number of throws.
Of course, I look at this from a health perspective. Like pickle ball, playing disc golf allows you to get steps in easily, as you walk throughout a course for extended periods of time and also throw and work on physical techniques, which helps with neuroplasticity in the brain.
You also get to explore parks in Jonesboro, which improves mental well-being by reducing stress and providing a refreshing escape from daily routines. And of course, there is a deep sense of community as you get to be with friends, laugh, try something new, and have fun.
Disc Golf Courses in Jonesboro
If you’re looking to play disc golf in Jonesboro, there are several options listed below. If you’re looking to get more involved in the disc golf community, you can check out their Facebook page or contact Kellan Mccann, a Jonesboro local and one of the best disc golfers in Arkansas, on Instagram for all questions on local disc golf.
There are also two upcoming local tournaments if you just want to observe the fun nature of the sport before you try it out: the 14th Annual Battle in the Boro at Craighead Park on October 5th and the Disc Side of Heaven Championship on October 26th and 27th with at $10 all day play.