Annual disc golf tournament Saturday

The annual Timber Beast Disc Golf Tournament will kick off in Troy at the disc golf course near the Troy Museum at 7 a.m. Saturday, wrapping up with Discs Across the Kootenai at Roosevelt Park beginning around 8:15 p.m.

The Professional Disc Golf Association tier ‘C’ event is expected to draw over 150 participants from around the country this year, including the number 14 player in the world, Paul Ulibarri, said Tournament director Brian Bjortomt. It is also part of the Montana Point Series.

The 100 players who had registered as of Tuesday run from 8 years old to 75, and they will compete in a variety of professional, amateur and age-protected divisions for both men and women.

Bjortomt said the usual event cap of 180 people has not been an issue in the past, but response so far this year has him uncertain if they may approach it.

“We have never run into that being an issue, but it might be for Troy. Which is really cool considering how far away from everywhere Troy is located!,” Bjortomt said by email.

Already the most highly attended event in the state for the most of the past 12 years the event has been held, Bjortomt said it is possible the tournament will set a new state record for attendance.

Bjortomt said that from a tourism standpoint, the potential benefits go beyond just the day of the event. Several competitors have been making weekend trips over the past month to the area to practice on the course ahead of time.

“It really brings a lot of people — and their tourism (dollars) — to Troy,” he said.

For locals who want to come watch, Bjortomt said the Discs Across the Kootenai offers a good opportunity.

Players competing for a cash prize make a 500 foot throw across the river from the north side, with the furthest throw taking the cash, he said.