If top disc golfer Kris Pereira wasn’t on top of his game for the 16th annual Big Bear tournament at the Canmore Nordic Centre, he only had love to blame.
Pereira followed his heart straight out of the Bow Valley last fall, taking him away from the home course where he had won five previous Big Bear titles.
“I moved to Calgary for a girl,” Pereira said.
However, the move didn’t appear to affect his game too much, as he won his sixth title on Sunday (May 18). The win was his fourth in a row and his closest to date, as he eked out a three-shot win. While in past years the hard-throwing former baseball player wrapped up the win early, this year he didn’t think he had the win until the 16th hole of the last round.
“This one was a battle to the end. I just couldn’t putt. I tried to minimize the damage and take smarter shots,” Pereira said.
Although the Bowness course in Calgary is his new stomping grounds, he admits it doesn’t compare to the Canmore 18. He arrived a week before the tournament and practiced every day to ensure he was ready to defend the title.
“There is a difference with the altitude here. The discs fly a little differently. They don’t turn as much the higher they go up,” Pereira said.
He’s seen a lot of strong disc golfers in his day, but noticed the current crop of new players is getting stronger, noting the key to the game is patience.
“Don’t get angry when you screw up and you’ll be fine,” Pereira said.
He’s already committed to defending his title next year, and said the sport just keeps growing.
“It’s good exercise. You’re hiking, you get to throw stuff … and the camaraderie is great. I haven’t seen a lot of these guys since last year.”
Other division winners include Jay Yanke (amateur masters), Casey Hanemayar (amateur advanced), Kris Akins (intermediate), Jake Hesby (intermediate junior), Pamela Henderson (intermediate women), Jon Hashey (pro grand masters) and Greg Gatzke (pro masters).
