HUNTSVILLE — Members of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) gathered on Saturda to compete for the “Doin’ Time at Shawshank Disc Golf Penitentiary,” a sanctioned B Tier event presented by the Disc Golf Consultants, Birdshot Houston, DGProshop and the Dufrane family.

Eighty-six amateur and professional PDGA members of a variety of ages and from all over Texas put their best throw forward to compete. The tournament began with registration at 7:30 a.m. and ended at 7:30 p.m.. Amateur members received a towel and ROC Frisbee.

Sponsors for the event included Innova Disc Golf, DuFrane Body and Frame, Southern Star Brewing Company, Amaya’s Collision Center Inc., Wilco Supply Inc., Hodges Collision Center, Huntsville Steel and Faibrication Inc., Houston Flying Disc Society, Reliable Parts, Commando Mini, D. Nesbitt Associates, Burnett Staffing Specialists, Bennie J’s Smoke Pit Barbeque, Greg Miller’s Auto and Oak Hurst Bait Company.

The 23-acre disc golf course was established roughly four years ago by Steve Dufrane and is claimed to be the best in the region. The course provides 21 holes in a beautiful wooded area. Shawshank is well maintained by Dufrane and provides an atmosphere that all ages may enjoy.

The course is sure to give a fun experience as it is themed around the movie, “Shawshank Redemption.” The first three tees are called “offenses 1, 2 and 3” and after the third offense, the player goes to the next tee or “jail.”

According to the PDGA website, http://www.pdga.com/, “Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc, or Frisbee. The sport was formalized in the 1970's, and shares with ‘ball golf.’ As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed.”

The object is to throw the golf discs into metal basket, called Pole Holes with as few attempts as possible. The sport is growing in popularity due to the fact that it is inexpensive and that all ages may play.

Unlike golf, disc golf strengthens the upper and lower body. It allows a combination of physical and mental abilities that offer little risk of physical injury.

 “Concentration skills increase by mastering shots and negotiating obstacles. Players of limited fitness levels can start slowly and gradually increase their level of play as fitness improves,” the PDGA website states.

“This course is absolutely beautiful,” said Dave Nesbitt, a sponsor for the event, PDGA commissioner and recent president of the board of directors. “There is a lot of tender loving care put into this course and it is definitely worth coming out for. I’m excited to be just another golfer today.”

According to Dufrane, the course was carefully designed so that all ages and levels of players could compete together.

For the open division, David Hemmeline won first place with $300 and Joe Hague won first place in the professional masters with $190.

Jay Reading was also among those competing on Saturday.  

Reading a full-time disc golfer and has been on the road since May. His accomplishments include 2006 Pro World Doubles Champion, 2002, 2006, 2008 Pro World Mixed Doubles Champion, 2008 World Putting Champion and 2007 Bob West Sportsman of the Year.

“I’ve played disc golf since I was a youngster,” said Reading. “It’s a very cost effective sport. I am currently working a non-profit organization called Educational Disc Golf Experience that teaches youth how to play. I would encourage anyone interested to visit the website, edgediscgolf.org.”

“I’m very proud of my son and his devotion to maintaining and developing this course,” said Richard Dufrane, father of Steve Dufrane.

Shawshank Disc Golf  is set to host the Tim Selinske U.S. Masters Championship on April 8, 9, 10 in 2011.

Dufrane encourages the community to come to Shawshank Disc Golf and try the course. Those who are not members of PDGA may play by appointment for $5.

“It’d be a crime if you’ve never spent time down at Shawshank,” said Dufrane.

For more information on t he course or the competition, call (936) 295-1722.