InFlight Sports is another strong Michigan retailer and contributor to the game. Now a chain with three retail outlets and online sales, InFlight has also hosted the annual InFlight Open since 1988, which had a payout of more than $10,000 in 1999. InFlight’s Pad Timmons, a former World Guts Champion, was one of the first disc golfers, getting his start in 1978. This year, the InFlight SuperTour includes Lansing’s ABC-TV affiliate Channel 53 as its title sponsor, virtually assuring excellent pre-publicity and some television coverage of the event.

There are other rising stars on the Michigan retail scene, such as Lunadisc and Dead Eye Discs, and educational groups like Club Dead. Towering above all others in terms of local sponsorship support is disc manufacturer Discraft, based in the Detroit metro community of Walled Lake.

A leader in the flying disc industry, Discraft released its first golf disc, the Sky Star, in 1983. Founder Jim Kenner has been stoking the local disc golf fires ever since. “We’ve done everything we can when the opportunities arose to get courses in the ground and to encourage people to get involved,” said Kenner. “We’re here in Michigan, and more of our personal contacts are here, so it’s been natural for us to lend a hand on the local scene.” With Discraft’s help, the Great Lakes Open has become the standard to which all other PDGA SuperTours are measured.

Taken together, all of these Michigan influences have produced some of the finest and most active players in the world. Top-level golfers like Ron Russell, Al Schack, Todd Branch and Sue Stephens are household names in disc golf. Show up at a local tournament and you might throw a round with Mike Raley, Darren Harper, Gary Laura, Drew Bray, Javier Kowalski or Molly Morrow. Last year, the Am Men were consistently pounded by the likes of Todd Hendrick, John Sosnowski, Pat Hawks, Mike Suida, Steve Hultquist, and Joe Geibel... all top ten PDGA Points finishers from Michigan who are expected to be moving to the pro ranks this year. Mindy Tigchelaar, Laura Thomley, Crystal Tylzynski and Stacey Koos -- more top ten 1999 PDGA Points finishers -- kept the Am Women busy, and may be giving Juliana Bower some tough competition in the coming months.

Raising The Bar At The World Championships

This summer, Michigan will welcome disc golfers from across the planet to the 2000 World Championships. This in itself is nothing new, as the state has previously hosted World Championships in 1991, 1992 and 1997. The difference this year is that, in typical Michigan style, the state has accepted the challenge of hosting both the pros and amateurs... in the same week.

To pull off such an unprecedented event, the 2000 Worlds will be hosted not by a local club, but by “Team Michigan,” which is a snappier way of saying lots of MDGO folks and various independents, along with some key coordinators and consultants from outside the state.

With dozens of people working together behind the scenes and 800 golfers expected in attendance, it promises to be the largest and most amazing disc golf event ever staged.

What can other states and regions learn from Michigan to take their own programs to the next level?

1. Train your replacements. A club which centers around a few people is destined for implosion if the principals don’t harness the enthusiasm of newcomers. Everyone burns out eventually, and when that time comes for you, your club won’t last if there isn’t anyone ready to take your place.
2. Learn how to get along and work together. Bickering is common within disc golf clubs and among neighboring clubs. Often these battles center around money, minor offenses, or simple differences of opinion. There is strength in numbers. Instead of limiting your numbers, find ways to make them grow.
3. Keep a paper trail. Document your goals, agendas and decisions. Your efforts to keep these records will help you to remain focused and minimize the time spent arguing over old issues.
4. Build your sponsorships. You’ll be amazed at how many businesses are interested in promoting themselves to disc golfers. Put together a professional-looking sponsorship proposal and knock on a few doors, then deliver what you promise them.
5. Be flexible to the needs of your league players. Keep the competition level fair to beginners, and make sure everyone has a good time.