Big Wet to make a disc-sports splash

BALLARAT Ultimate’s winter disc-sports tournament, The Big Wet will now be held at the end of next month.

Launching on Saturday, 28 August, the event will include ultimate frisbee and disc golf competitions.

Ballarat Ultimate’s Patrick Thorpe said players from as far as South Australia are expected to travel to the city to take part in the action, COVID-19 restrictions permitting.

“We’re expecting to see approximately 60 people entered into The Big Wet,” he said.

“There were only a handful of disc golf players in Ballarat a year ago, but since the Victoria Park course was opened at Christmas, between 20 and 30 new local players have come on board.

“The sport itself has been massive worldwide growth. Pro players in the US are earning up to seven figures and it’s a flexible sport with no green fees to pay in public parks, so it’s attractive.”

A mixed event, The Big Wet has been on the Ballarat Ultimate calendar for 17 years, running across the city and Creswick.

“There will be independent single-day disc golf and single-day ultimate frisbee events, but we encourage participants to have a go at both.

“In disc golf, players will complete two rounds; one on each course variant, advanced and amateur. You’ll get placed in a division, and play the rounds for prizes,” Mr Thorpe said.

“There will be a maximum 72 players, with four people starting on each hole.”

One hundred and nine people competed in the 2021 Victorian Championships on the Victoria Park disc golf course in April.

“This was the biggest ever tournament held in Australia, so the course has shown to be a popular one. Other clubs across the state want to run their events here which has taken us by surprise.

“We’re keen to run a lot more competitions, and build up the course to improve it,” Mr Thorpe said.

When COVID-safe to do so, Ballarat Ultimate will run a league day on the second Sunday of each month, and competitions on the amateur course on the last Saturday of the month.

The two-day Golden City Classic disc golf weekend will return in summer.

“We’re still so excited to have this course in Ballarat, and we’re all hooked by it. We’re looking forward to hopefully getting more courses installed throughout the Ballarat area,” Mr Thorpe said.