BANGOR – Disc golf is one of the fastest-growing sports out there these days, and the state of Maine is a particular hotbed. Now, one area group is seeking to introduce younger players to the game.

Maine Youth Disc Golf is the brainchild of Sam Betts, a local disc golfer who saw an opportunity to grow the game by reaching out to area high schools. Over the coming months, Betts – along with a bevy of volunteers from various courses (including the owner/operators of those courses) – will be operating weekly events in an effort to bring the game to as many new players as possible.

Beginning in April and running through May, every Sunday will feature a disc golf skills clinic at Orrington’s D.R. Disc Golf. In addition, numerous area courses will offer Friday afternoon rounds for program attendees. The list includes the two courses at D.R. in Orrington and their Orono course, along with Circle Two in Bradford, Hidden Acres in Old Town and Legacy Farms in Winterport. For details and more information, visit www.maineyouthdiscgolf.com or check out Maine Youth Disc Golf on Facebook.

BRADFORD – A different kind of golf tour is about to tee off in the region. Not with clubs being swung, but rather discs being flung.

The Northern Maine Disc Golf Tour (NMDGT) is a collection of disc golf tournaments that will play out over the coming weeks, with 10 events playing out at 10 different courses. The NMDGT will be kicking off its 2021 slate with a tournament at Two Clapps Disc Golf Course in Bradford on March 28.

Subsequent events will take place at: DR Disc Golf (Orrington); Hidden Acres (Old Town); Legacy Farms (Winterport); DND (Sydney); WACC (West Appleton); Sky Riders (Fairfield); Hapana (Trenton); Pandemic (Albion); and Maple Ridge (Westfield).

Each tournament features several divisions, determined by factors like skill level and age. Points are awarded for performance at each event, leading to the tour’s points championship, set to take place at Circle Two on June 6.

ORRINGTON – Some of the area’s disc golf fanatics are descending on a course in Orrington to play for fun, prizes and, of course, bragging rights.

The Duel at D.R. Tournament will be taking place at D.R. Disc Golf in Orrington on July 13. And it’s just one of many tournaments that will be taking place across the state over the course of the summer.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, disc golf is pretty much what it sounds like – golf, only with discs. The courses have somewhat similar layouts and the scoring is the same – throws instead of strokes, but all of it in relation to par. Players throw discs toward a basket that serves as the “hole.” The person who completes the course with the fewest throws wins.

Jeremy White is a longtime disc golfer and one of the tournament directors for the Duel at D.R. Putting something like this together is quite an undertaking.

SABATTUS - Recently, Sabattus Disc Golf (SDG) in Sabattus made history, becoming the first venue in New England to host a Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) Major tournament. The United States Women's Disc Golf Championships took place Sept. 23-25 and featured many of the world's top-ranked female disc golfers.

When you have a passion for something, whether it's a sport or other interest, it can help inform what you do on trips or even in your own backyard. I've had a few of these experiences this summer, and they are both things I won't soon forget.