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In
the past, in various disc golf courses Deaf people gathered together and
played disc golf recreationally as there were few disc golf courses in
Kentucky
. Disc golf was introduced to most long-time Kentucky Deaf disc golfers during
the 1990’s. As years passed by, more and more Deaf people played disc golf.
During
the year 2007, Ant Isaacs came back to
Kentucky
after completing his two bachelor degrees at
Gallaudet
University
in
Washington
,
DC
and his master degree at
McDaniel
College
in
Maryland
. He played disc golf with some well-known Deaf disc golfers while he attended
Gallaudet
University
where his love for disc golf grew. Some of Ant’s friends established Deaf
disc golf clubs or organizations in other states, and/or ran as officers for
their Deaf disc golf clubs or organizations. These friends mentioned to Ant
about their clubs or organizations, and then Ant started to develop a passion
to establish a non-profit Deaf disc golf organization in
Kentucky
.
Ant
discussed with some Kentucky Deaf disc golfers about establishing a Deaf disc
golf organization in
Kentucky
, and they agreed the idea of establishing a Deaf disc golf organization was
wonderful. Donations and some help from the community helped to get KDDGA on
its feet. KDDGA became established and recognized as a non-profit corporation
in the year of 2008. KDDGA began with nine members in its first year, which
was a “positive start for a Deaf disc golf organization,” as stated by
Chad Leonard, a member of SoCal Deaf Disc Golf Club, from
South California
.
On
June 6, 2008
, KGGDA hosted its first league tournament at
Pulaski
County
Park
(Bottom) in
Somerset
,
Kentucky
. The course was very difficult and that tournament will always be remembered
by KDDGA members who participated in that tournament.
Eventually,
KDDGA shirts were made and distributed to its members, its website launched,
events were hosted, and the league had a banquet where its members received
their trophies and discs. KDDGA’s first year was very successful.
KDDGA
hosted its national Deaf disc golf tournament known as the Bluegrass Cup on
June 12-13, 2009
at
Boone
Woods
Park
and
Idlewild
Park
in
Burlington
,
KY.
Ant Isaacs was the Tournament Director, and Fred Salaz, 2007 PDGA Hall of Fame
Inductee, helped Ant with the tournament. Deaf
disc golfers from eight different states came and played in the first annual
Bluegrass Cup.
KDDGA
is in its third year now. KDDGA is hosting the second annual Bluegrass Cup at
Idlewild
Park
in
Burlington
,
Kentucky
and
Lincoln
Ridge
Park
(formerly known as
Banklick
Park
)
in
Independence
,
Kentucky
on
June
18-19, 2010
.
After all of the achievements KDDGA has made since its establishment in 2008,
KDDGA is looking forward to continuing its reputation as a rock-solid
organization that will run for many years. |