The “15th Annual Vineyard Social” sounds like an event that should be held at the Edgartown Yacht Club, with bright summer pastels and gin cocktails to go around.
Turns out, it’s a nationally renowned disc golf tournament. And better yet, it’s held just outside the Manuel F. Correllus state forest in the middle of March, with a kaleidoscope of neon discs and craft brews that more than makes up for the lack of salmon pants and martinis.
This year’s tournament took place on Saturday.
“This sport is getting big,” said golfer Jacob Stout, who came up from North Carolina for the occasion. “I’ve got a ton of friends up here and always wanted to play the Vineyard. Finally did and decided to make a weekend of it.”
Disc golf has started to gain a particularly large following nationwide, with many seeing it as a free and quick alternative to “ball golf.” Courses are like hiking trails in disguise, with chain link baskets (or holes) dotted along the path, directing the way. Plaid shirts, American Spirits, beanies, roller-backpacks, waxed mustaches and oily beards are the welcome analogs to polos, Cuban cigars, jaunty caps and caddies. There’s also one other big difference between disc and ball golf.
“It’s lot easier, that’s for sure,” golfer Joe Mercieri said. “And a golf ball you can only make go straight, right, or left. A disc you can make dance.”
Overall, 140 different players from eight different states took to the course on Saturday, with skill levels ranging from touring professionals to “can I use this as a plate?”
The 36 pro-level players competed for over $2,000 in prize money, priceless NEFA points (New England Flying Disc Association), and immortal discus fame. The others competed for their ferry fare. All had fun.
“It’s a pretty awesome event and the course is great,” said Lindsey Carter from Gorham, Me. “Especially when there aren’t four inches of snow on it.”
Last year, many of the Vineyard Social participants got stranded on a ferry for five hours due to a vessel malfunction and a particularly vicious winter snow storm. That wasn’t the case this year, as the only things falling from the blue sky on Saturday were about nine inches in diameter and plastic.
After event organizer and Lazy Frog proprietor Jake Gifford warned the golfers about ticks, “mandos” (mandatory flight path markers) and “OB’s” (“out of bounds”) the players made their way to holes to start the first round.
Pro-level golfer Jim Bailey from New Hampshire said Mr. Gifford was the reason he started playing disc golf many years ago.
“The first place that I played disc golf was the Island because my mom just started chatting up Jake at Lazy Frog,” Mr. Bailey said. “Jake’s an absolute disc golf evangelist.”
Mr. Bailey and Mr. Gifford had nearly 100 converts and kindred spirits with them on Saturday. It showed in their familiarity with the sport’s lingo. Terms like “good bid” and “that’s peachy” would come after a particularly good shot. “Flippy stiletto” described a particularly bad one.
“Is that even a thing?” golfer Josh Gibson asked.
“Well, you just threw it,” his group-member replied, as Mr. Gibson disappeared into a mess of pine needles.
Notwithstanding the goofiness, the competition on Saturday was fierce, with the utmost reverence displayed for disc golf etiquette: no talking during the shot, no walking in another’s line, and absolutely no improper marking of discs. Respect for the course was paramount.
“The field holes are pretty unique for New England,” said pro Tucker Davis. “Normally these types of courses have more trees. The variety here is pretty spectacular.”
After 36 holes, and despite late pressure from Islander Cody Brewer and a miraculous forehand roller on the 18th from second-place finisher Joey Antosca, Charlie Veysey from New Hampshire emerged with a one-stroke victory. Not only did his 107 score win by one, but his signature shot — the “skipsy,” where the disc takes a big hop after it hits the ground — put him over the edge.
“I love it here. I just hadn’t put two good rounds together before,” Mr. Veysey said. His mother, father and dog Gus all made the trip to the Island and were there on Saturday to congratulate him. He said his secret to victory was staying up past midnight to complete a 1,000-piece puzzle.
“You have to exercise your mind as well as your body,” Mr. Veysey said, rubbing his paunch. “The course is very technical. I’ve won tournaments before, but this is one of the biggest.”
Comments (1)
Comments
Comment policy »