This year is Joshua Kiist's second participating in the annual BC Open disc golf competition presented by Discmania at the Raptors Knoll Disc Golf Park.
Coming from Calgary, Alberta, he said the local course was a big highlight for him last year.
"I love the courses, I love the people down here... Everyone's got to play [at Raptors] has to play at least once in their life," Kiist said.
Raptors Knoll Golf Course in particular challenges every level of skill, he commented.
Kiist has been playing disc golf professionally for about two years, competing in seven tournament this year alone, but has been playing since 2020.
"I've always loved throwing discs. I played ultimate before but I don't care to run around," he chuckled.
"I love golf too, so it's a hybrid of both a bit."
For this weekend's tournament, which starts Friday, June 28, with competitions at Raptors Knoll park and Campbell Valley INdesign Course.
Kiist is among 465 competitors playing, both professionals and amateurs, from Canada and around the world as far as Australia to play at the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) sanctioned B.C. Open, making it the largest event of its kind in Canada, according to tournament director Craig Sheathers.
Sheathers explained that over the last two years, he has seen a huge growth in the number of players.
“Before the pandemic there would have been 250 players. Across the world, disc golf has become a very fast growing sport,” he said.
The final day of the tournament is Sunday, June 30, at both Raptors Knoll park and Campbell Valley. A full schedule is available online at discgolfscene.com.
Built on a former Aldergrove landfill that has been restored, covered with soil and donated wildflower seeds, and planted with trees, Raptors Knoll Disc Golf Park is a part of the 100-acre Jackman Wetlands Park.
Co-founded and designed by Stewart McIsack and Chris Hartmann in 2019, the 18-hole, 40-acre course is ranked 13th in the world.
