Golf for the non-golfer

It's a picturesque day for golf. \nClear skies, fresh grass and a gentle breeze all provide the setting for a Saturday afternoon tournament. \nOn hole No. 8, James Stogdill lofts a shot high into the afternoon sky. The pin is certainly reachable from the tee box, and as Stogdill's shot drifts ever closer to its target, gentle gasps of hope begin rising from his foursome. Everyone knows it's going to be close, and as the shot begins to descend upon the pin's little clearing, the gasps grow louder to a buzz of anticipation. \nIt's got a chance, and by now everyone wants to see it happen.\n"Ka-ching." Ace.\nThe buzz becomes a roar, and a celebration ensues that would leave most traditional golfers shaking their heads. But that's because Stogdill and his foursome aren't playing traditional golf -- they're a part of a growing number of disc golfers, taking part in the Bloomington Disc Golf Club's 2005 Hoosier Partner Doubles Tournament.\nTwenty-six people -- students and non-students alike -- made it out to Saturday's tournament, that categorized the participants into three skill levels. Partners shot two rounds, playing worst shot for the first round and best shot for the second. On the par-54 course at Crestmont Park, tournament champions Mark Moore and James Collins were able to post scores of 50 and 39. \nBloomington resident Tim Murphy organized the tournament, and explained what it took to compete with some of the top-level participants.\n"I, personally, get out (to play) about three times a week," he said. "There are some 'course rats' that get out here everyday though."\nOne of those 'course rats' is IU graduate Jason Nawrot, who's competed in tournaments throughout the Midwest, Texas and Florida to name a few. \n"I started when I was about 12 or 13, and eventually it became more competitive," he said. \nDespite the competitive setting for Saturday's tournament, an onlooker may have been confused by the relaxed and informal feel between the participants. As each group finished its rounds, foes became friends again -- sharing laughs and cigarettes while Beck's latest CD kept the mood light. \nMurphy stood behind a broken picnic table for what was called the "award ceremony," but was orchestrated more like a family reunion. Murphy announced a series of places and names, but regardless of the number before each pair, the applause never varied.\nAs for Stogdill, he cashed in on $100 for his hole-in-one. It's customary in traditional golf that clubhouse drinks come compliments of the lucky swinger. And though drinks may have been shared after the round, it certainly didn't \nhappen in a clubhouse.