RAPID CITY, S.D. – Greenway Days events continued Saturday, including the “Throw with Grace – Ace Race,” a charity disc golf tournament taking place in Jackson Park.
Over fifty participants tried to get as many aces, a disc golf “hole-in-one,” across the park’s 27 holes.
“An ace race is just the pins are all shorter than normal, and you get points for getting an ace or getting close to the basket,” said Terry Blecha of the Black Hills Disc Golf Club, “If you miss the ace, you still have to finish and putt in and everything, so it’s a regular disc golf round with 27 holes.”
Proceeds went to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Dakota and Montana. Blecha started the tournament five years ago for his daughter, Grace, raising over $40,000 since then, whicht is enough for three Make-A-Wish trips.
“It’s an event near and dear to my heart. My daughter had a Make-A-Wish trip, so I’m just doing it to raise money for other kids to be able to go on a trip,” Blecha said.
The charity event is a non-sanctioned tournament designed for anyone to enjoy, from seasoned players to walk-ins off the street looking for exposure to the sport.
To keep the game on theme with Greenway Days, it was sponsored in part by the Rapid City Water Division. They were there to help educate players on the importance of the greenway, even when there’s no flooding.
“We just wanted really to be a part of Greenway Days in the community, which is an observance of the 1972 flood,” said Lysann Zeller, Rapid City Sustainability Program Manager. “The greenway is also the primary source of drinking water in the community, so we just thought this was a fun way to bring some attention to the importance of Rapid Creek and our water supply.”
The Water Division posted “did you know” fun facts around the course and opened the nearby Girl Scout infiltration gallery for tours, allowing the public to ask questions and see one of the city’s primary drinking sources up close. Zeller added that the area also provides essential local habitat for animals and birds, creating a great space for the community to enjoy.
For those looking to get involved in the sport, Black Hills Disc Golf holds league play every week. You can find them at Pageant Hill in Custer every Thursday at 5:30 p.m., and in Rapid City’s Jackson Park Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Blecha also noted that there are numerous other courses to check out in the Black Hills, including Spearfish Canyon, Croy, and a smaller nine-hole course located off Omaha Street.
Per grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from South Dakota Mines. He found his passion for weather reporting by the impact it has on the community, both in how people work and how it brings people together through severe weather preparation. He also has a passion for preventing health issues with Air Quality Index awareness. Per can be found enjoying outdoor activities in the Black Hills when the weather allows.