The rise of disc golf in Sudbury can be largely attributed to the patience, hard work and dedication of one local man — Dean Aelick, a local entrepreneur, disc sport enthusiast and president of the Sudbury Disc Golf Club.
The rise of disc golf in Sudbury can be largely attributed to the patience, hard work and dedication of one local man — Dean Aelick, a local entrepreneur, disc sport enthusiast and president of the Sudbury Disc Golf Club.
Aelick grew up in the Sudbury area and moved to Calgary in 1980. While in Calgary, he said he “took up, and became obsessed with, the sport of golf.”
It wasn’t until 2006 that his obsession with golf morphed with his new-found love of disc sports.
At an ultimate Frisbee tournament, a sport he had been playing since 2003, Aelick was introduced to disc golf by a fellow ultimate player.
“He had set up a nine-hole portable course and he lent me one of his discs,” Aelick said in a previous interview with Northern Life.
“I immediately thought, ‘Wow, this is a combination of my two favourite sports – ultimate and golf.’”
Aelick has been working to increase awareness of and exposure to disc golf since then.
He began laying the groundwork for a course in Sudbury in 2008.
Construction of the course began in 2009 and all 18 holes had been built by early 2011.
Paul Laanemets, president of the Sudbury Ultimate Club, first tried the Lions Club of Sudbury Disc Golf Course in 2009.
“I thought the course was very well put together and played amazingly,” he said.
“I like how the course integrates the surrounding nature, making the challenges of regular golf a reality for disc golf.
“Dean has put in countless hours of hard work to ensure that disc golf is available for anyone who is interested.
He is always willing to talk about the sport and will help everyone who shows up, regardless of skill.
His involvement in the sport, both locally and nationally, is impressive and admirable.”
During the last four years, Aelick has competed in more than 30 tournaments in Ontario, finishing consistently in the top three in his division with 11 wins in total.
He also competed in the World Amateur Disc Golf Championships in 2008 and 2009.
In 2010, his top-five finish in the ODSA Provincial Disc Golf Series afforded him an entry into the prestigious 2011 United States Amateur Disc Golf Championships being held in Michigan June 10-12.
Despite his high skill level in the sport, Aelick is patient in his instruction to beginners and eager to show anyone around the new course.
“Besides actually having a place to play the sport with friends, it is most rewarding to see new people coming into the sport,” Aelick said about establishing a disc golf course in the city.
“People of all ages love to play it and when I have people walk up to me and thank me for building the course, it is a very special feeling.”
For more information about how to get involved with disc golf, find the Sudbury Disc Golf Club on Facebook, phone Aelick at 705-626-6243 or e-mail
[email protected].
Lisa Demmer is a disc golf rookie. She has been involved in disc sports for five years. This is the final in a series of six columns on both ultimate frisbee and disc golf.
