By Emilie Cameron

It was 10 years ago today that our Jesmond course went in the ground. In 2010, freshly returned from the USA with a practice basket and large box of discs, JJ and Em went searching for a good location for a course. Working with the local council we looked at parks across the area settling on Jesmond Park. Object golf had long been played in Jesmond park by ultimate players so it was a natural place for the first proper disc golf course in the area. Using temp baskets the course layout was discussed, tested, redesigned and tested again. With a grant from the council and money from AFDA and ADG we purchased baskets and supplies.

Then on May 21st 2011 Neil, JJ and Em with help from Adam, Peter, Candice and Bob did the hard work of digging and installing it all.The course has had a few changes over the years. Bricks marked the tee signs until proper tee signs and a course map were added in 2012.

Gold and Black tees were added for tournaments and tweaks were made when random fences appeared around trees. Bigger changes are coming with a freeway due to be built through the park. Though we have been saying this since 2016.

The previous code of conduct document written for Australian Disc Golf was created before the social media age. It has been due for revision for some time. After seeking input from our members, much discussion on the ADG Board and many drafts, we voted in our new Respect Agreement on Thursday May 6th.

In it we define the standard of respect that you need to show the game, other ADG members, the environment we play in and the community we play among, in order to retain your ADG membership. We’ve grown to over 3000 members in the past decade and this time has shown that all but very few people instinctively understand and comply with what is essentially a common sense set of guidelines. Guidelines outlining expected behavior that is no different to any other community, social or corporate setting.

As our numbers grow though, we may find times when we need to show some cultural leadership on respect. Because respect is part of the glue that holds our growing social movement together. This is our respect agreement.

Congratulations to Sue Summers for passing her assessment and becoming our latest ADG accredited Tournament Director. Mentoring her through the process of running the ‘Run The Chains’ event – The first women’s-only event to be run in Australia and the largest turnout of women in the PDGA Women’s Global Event this weekend in Australia – was Kris Kohout.

If Hootie isn’t the most experienced tournament director in Australia then he’s certainly in the conversation. He is most definitely the most experienced TD mentor though, with two students now successfully running events under his guidance.

‘I saw how easy all you guys made it look so I thought it’d be a breeze – but bloody hell!’ An un-named source quoted Sue as saying this week. By all accounts she ran the event like a charm though and has paved the way for more women’s only events to come.

You can find out more about the Tournament Director Mentoring Program here.