Windsor Disc Golfer turns pro after finishing third in the world

by | Oct 17, 2021 | Disc Golf

Windsor Disc Golfer turns pro after finishing third in the world

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Author of the article:

Kathleen Saylors

Publication date:

August 24, 2021 • August 24, 2021 • Read for 3 minutes • Join the conversation Chantel Budinsky, who finished third in the PDGA Amateur World Championships, poses with two discs from the event as she trains in her back yard on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. Chantel Budinsky, who finished third in the PDGA Amateur World Championships, poses with two discs from the event as she trains in her back yard on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. Photo by Dax Melmer /Windsor star

Windsor’s Chantel Budinsky is officially a world class disc golfer.

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Just two years after taking over the game, the 28-year-old finished third in a world amateur disc golf tournament – and that’s where she plans to turn pro.

“I’ve been training every day for the past two years so I’m ready to play my best game,” said Budinsky, 28, of her recent win.

Budinsky finished third at the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) World Amateur Disc Golf Championships in Orlando, Florida on Saturday.

You really only need a frisbee to go and play

With 43 of the best female disc golfers from eight countries, the Amateur Disc Golf World Championships was Budinsky’s first major tournament. She finished third in eight rounds with 4 under par.

But Budinsky has only been playing for a few years: she and her fiancé Chris started disc golf in August 2019 after seeing “pole holes” – disc golf baskets – in a park. Budinsky entered the competition shortly afterwards.

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Chantel Budinsky is working on her disc golf technique in her backyard on Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 after finishing third at the PDGA Amateur World Championships. Chantel Budinsky is working on her disc golf technique in her backyard on Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 after finishing third at the PDGA Amateur World Championships. Photo by Dax Melmer /Windsor star

“I was just realizing that I was going to keep throwing and my putting was more accurate,” she said. “I wanted to see how I stack up.”

Disc golf is similar to traditional golf: players try to put a weighted disc or frisbee in a basket with as few throws as possible. I It’s a fun game because it’s inexpensive and easy to play.

During the five-day, eight-round Florida tournament, Budinsky said she believed her nerves were holding her back.

“My nerves were crazy. I couldn’t control my arms and legs, it felt like jelly, ”she said. “I’m a little sad that I didn’t take first place, but I’m really happy about a podium because I’ve always fought my way back.”

Budinsky said she loves disc golf because it is good practice and the local disc golf community is hospitable. She plays regularly at Lakewood Park in Tecumseh and plays in the Windsor-Essex Disc Golf League.

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“Our Windsor and Ontario disc golf community, we are very proud of Chantel,” said Sam Spiering, president of the Windsor-Essex Disc Golf Club. “I’ve never seen anyone improve so quickly, and have the drive to improve as quickly as it does. “

Disc golf has been a growing sport for years, growing in popularity during the pandemic because it was a safe way to stay active, Spiering said. The number of members of their club grew by around 20 percent to around 50 members during the pandemic. He estimates the disc golf community in Windsor and Essex Counties is about 200 or more people.

“You really only need a Frisbee to play,” said Spiering.

Windsor-Essex Disc Golf Club was founded in 2013 with first course at Lakewood Park in Tecumseh in 2016.

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Another Canadian, Julie Moens from Delta, BC, finished second ahead of Budinsky at the World Championships. Budinsky is the eighth tallest woman in Canadian disc golf and the fifth tallest woman in Ontario.

“Our amateur ranks are the best in the world,” said Spiering. “Chantel has the potential to become a very special player.”

  1. Scott White putts during a round of disk golf at Lakewood Park in Tecumseh on Tuesday July 15, 2014. (Tyler Brownbridge / The Windsor Star)

    We’re bringing disc golf to Windsor

  2. Paul Anthony, Director of Tecumseh Parks and Rec, demonstrates a disc catcher in Lakewood Park, Manning Road south of Riverside Drive East on March 27, 2017.

    Disc golf between upgrades to Lakewood Park

  3. Justin Warnock, left, practices disc throwing on the Lakewood Disc Golf Course on Monday, May 13, 2019.

    Disc golf tournament added to Tecumseh Corn Festival

From here, Budinsky will continue to play bigger tournaments – hopefully bigger tournaments in the United States, where disc golf is booming.

“I’m definitely getting professional now. I’ve been waiting for (this tournament) to come, so I’ll be playing some bigger events (next year), ”she said.

“It was so cool to see all the ladies from all over the world doing the same thing as me.”

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