The Veterans for Vets Events - A Realtime Recap

This winter, disc golfers around the nation can make a difference in the lives of many by simply running a tournament. Through our Veterans for Vets events, players can enjoy a lighthearted round or two while benefiting local veterans groups and showing their support to the many servicemen and women who enjoy the game right alongside us. Yet if you’ve never run a tournament before, you might be wondering if it’s easy to do - we spoke with two players who ran their own Veterans for Vets event and got to hear just how amazing it was!

A Close Connection

Jesie Kohl is an avid disc golfer, and when he found out about the chance to help veterans through the sport he loves, his next step was a no-brainer:

“I myself am a veteran. I was in the army for four years as an infantry paratrooper. I was listening to the Disc Golf Answer Man podcast at work one day when the Veterans for Vets was announced. Immediately I knew it was something I wanted to do. I was super excited to tie my love of disc golf into helping local veterans. I knew right away that the VFW in my city would be my charity because they do so many great things for our local vets.”

While Kohl has played in tournaments before, this was his first time running one, yet he found that it couldn’t have been easier. “It was a fun challenge that I took head-on. The community really came together donating prizes, money, and time. The event really would not have been possible without my wife, her best friend, and a few guys from our local disc golf club stepping up to help.”

Held at Skyview Park in Norfolk, Nebraska, Jesie had 45 golfers show up to play and everyone had a great time. The mood in the air was laid back instead of competitive, and in the end, they raised $550 for charity!

A Tournament In A Box

Also finding success with her own local event, Sarah Pettengill was instantly attracted to the idea of helping local veterans. “I am captain of a winter team for Winter Team Challenge & nearly half my team are veterans so this is something that means a lot to them and in turn me as well. I think it's for a great cause and I wanted to do something to help such a great cause!”

Her Veterans for Vets event was the second tournament she’s directed and noted that it was by far the easier of the two! “Dynamic Discs made it so easy to run this event; it's a great starter event! The best way I can describe it is essentially you sign up to run the event and Dynamic Discs sends you a tournament in a box! All you have to do is promote the event and that's easy. Definitely a great way to get your toes wet for TDing an event!”

Sarah’s event saw 25 players at Pin High in Monmouth, Maine and similarly to Jesie, said that everyone was in a great mood and left their competitive nature at home. “The goal was to raise money for a great cause, not take home trophies and/or money and that makes for a better mood every time,” she said.

If you’re interested in running your own Veterans for Vets event this winter or want to find one near you, click here!