Calgary had a run of unusually nice weather over the winter months, but if it felt like the teepads were always clear at your favourite course, you can thank more than just Mother Nature.
A group of volunteer stewards have been putting in several hours each week at the Currie Reservoir course, with snow clearing one of the main duties when it’s cold out.
The group of eight — Greg Perrot, Rob Brown, Colin Thompson, Linda Gustainis, Gary Edmonson, Lisa Blackwell Edmonson, Will Morison and Mike Potter — also act as a defacto grounds crew of sorts, moving the teepad around when areas get worn, maintaining the hazard and teebox lines stakes, emptying garbage cans and picking up litter and broken branches.
They also keep the Calgary Disc Golf Club up to date on any safety of maintenance issues that need to be dealt with by the city and act as ambassadors for the club and the sport.
The goal is to help make Currie Reservoir a permanent course.
After giving back so much this season, we thought the group could use some recognition of their own. Below, read about why they became stewards and what the sport means to them.
Rob Brown
How long have you been playing disc golf?
20 years, but only the past couple of years more seriously.
What got you into disc golf?
I missed ultimate, love to throw a disc and found disc golf was a great excuse to get out in nature, see friends and explore new areas.
What made you want to be a course steward?
We are fortunate to have such a great community of disc golfers in Calgary. So many people have put in so much effort to make the courses I enjoy possible, so I wanted to help do my part.
What’s your favourite hole at your course?
Hole 5 or 6, said nobody, ever! I get beat up by those a lot, but trying hard to par them with greater frequency.
Colin Thompson
How long have you been playing disc golf? / What got you into disc golf?
I have been playing disc golf for over 20 years. I first played at Rundle in Edmonton, we had brought regular frisbees and some guys we just met gave us actual discs and got me started. When I moved to Calgary I had a few disc and brought a few friends out to try at the old Zoo course at Centenary Park. I love disc golf for two reasons. The first is watching the flight of discs fly in the air and second is the sound of the disc smashing the chains.
What made you want to be a course steward?
I wanted to be a steward to help with overall decisions being made at my favourite course. To receive input from other players on improvements and safety hazards, to keep disc golf fun for all, Including my young family.
What’s your favourite hole at your course?
My favourite hole at Currie Reservoir is the maple leaf, #17, an island landing area makes for fun tee shots
What’s something everyone should know about your course?
I call Currie “The Stadium” because that’s what it feels like to me when I walk onto it. A disc golf course made especially for me. It’s a completely fenced in compound with only disc golfers inside, no random picnickers or dog walkers. I love the feel of The Stadium, it’s amazing!
What’s your favourite course apart from the one you steward?
One of my other favourite courses is Lloyd Lake as an avid bird-nerd I love the sights and sounds of the Franklins gulls nesting area. Love the challenge of the long holes Lloyd provides
Tell us about something interesting you’ve seen while disc golfing?
Over the years at Baker park in the spring there have been baby owls in the tress. I always get surprised when I see the fluffy, grey baby owls
Linda Gustainis
How long have you been playing disc golf?
I’ve been playing 2 years
What got you into disc golf?
After a bike ride past DRM thought we’d give it a try
What made you want to be a course steward?
Wanted to help out the club in any way that might be of value
What’s your favourite hole at your course?
My favourite hole is #16
What’s something everyone should know about your course?
Currie is a great place to have fun and practice accuracy. It is easy to find your disc in a hazard.
What’s your favourite course apart from the one you steward?
My favourite course other than Currie is WJ homestead
Tell us about something interesting you’ve seen while disc golfing?
Something interesting I saw while disc golfing – DG ing with two friends. Two of our tee shots randomly landed on top of one another in a tree and the third just below on the ground.
Garry Edmonson and Lisa Blackwell Edmonson
How long have you been playing disc golf?
About 2 years
What got you into disc golf?
We found I by accident walking around Baker park and it looked like fun.
What made you want to be a course steward?
We loved the sport and wanted to help out making it better for everyone.
What is your favorite hole at the Currie course?
We like many of them so it is hard to choose. Hole 17 is the big feature hole but 18 is probably our favorite because of the skill it takes to get around the trees and stay in bounds.
What is something everyone should know about Currie?
It is a disc golf specific location so it does not have the worry of people crossing on shots that do not know it is a course like some locations in the city.
What is your favorite course besides Currie?
Baker park and DRM are our favorites.
Something interesting we have seen while disc golfing?
We have seen bald eagles at North Glenmore Park. We have also seen a wedding party set up on a fairway at Baker Park and the people cheering on the golfers.
Greg Perrott
How long have you been playing disc golf?
About 7 years, but only a few times a year until Dec 2020, and a LOT since then!
What got you into disc golf?
I had a few friends that played occasionally, and would go out with them.
What made you want to be a course steward?
Just wanted to give back to the community and help in some small way. And if being a steward can help Currie become a permanent course, then all the better.
What is your favorite hole at the Currie course?
Favorite hole is #14. Love the trees, the look, the fact that it’s a little more tucked away and secluded than the rest of the holes.
What is something everyone should know about Currie?
Currie was designed to be very challenging, to really test your game and help you improve your accuracy and shot-shaping.
What is your favorite course besides Currie?
Yearling Creek at Nipika. If you haven’t played this amazing course near Radium, B.C. you definitely should.
Something interesting you’ve seen while disc golfing?
I love playing in heavy wind, and watching the crazy flight paths that discs can take!
Will Morison
How long have you been playing disc golf?
Almost a year (since last June)
What got you into disc golf?
It’s an inexpensive, fun outdoor sport that can be played anytime of year by anybody.
What made you want to be a course steward?
Being able to help out and take care of the course that is free to use for the public. And being able to help keep the course in good shape to keep people coming back/grow the sport.
What’s your favourite hole at your course?
Tough to pick just one but currently I’d say 18 is my favourite.
What’s something everyone should know about your course?
Beware of the wind…
What’s your favourite course apart from the one you steward?
Aspen Meadows
Tell us about something interesting you’ve seen while disc golfing?
Saw a snake by Baker Park last summer.
