“I’ve been on a fantastic disc golf road trip since I left California,” said Krik. “I don’t know if it’s a mid-life crisis, I’m 51, but I’m passionate about this.”
Disc golf is similar to “ball” golf, with holes and a set par. Rather than using clubs, the golfers use flying discs to sink each hole.
According to the Professional Disc Golf Association’s website, a golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target which is the “hole.” The hole can be one of a number of disc golf targets; the most common is called a “Pole Hole” an elevated metal basket. As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed.
Kirk has been on the road for the past eight months, and is currently on his 32nd state and his second tour of the U.S., his first tour was in 2010.
“People think it’s awesome, taking a 5,200 mile road trip to just play disc golf,” said Kirk.
Kirk visited three disc golf courses in New Jersey, following his visit to Philadelphia. Two of which were in Vineland, in addition to the course in Medford.
“The course [in Medford] is four holes, and you can change it around and make it any way you want to,” said Kirk.
Kirk’s game drew a crowd, including Mayor James “Randy” Pace.
“I got really short notice he was coming, and I walked over to see what he was doing,” said Pace. “He just starts talking to me, he doesn’t know who I am I was in blue jeans. It was awesome, it was awesome,”
Following his visit to Medford, Kirk drove down to Atlantic City to play a few more courses, but was out of luck when he found the course he was looking for was closed.
Kirk began his disc golf career in 1978 as a high school student, and not long after he joined the air force.
“I became a pro ‘ball’ golfer at my military base in Maine, I won three tournaments when I was there,” Kirk said.
Kirk was in the United States Air Force for 30 years and has three grown kids, who at one time would travel with him on his road trips and visited as many as 20 states.
“I don’t know what else to do but get in my car and go play. I’m not a world champion, but I love it,” said Kirk.
Kirk aspires to write a book about his life, his journey and his travels.
“Writing a book is the ultimate dream,” he said.
For now, Kirk is finishing his tour of disc golf before making any other plans and enjoying life.
“I’ve been using [my personal] Facebook for everything, I’m making a ton of new friends while I’m out here and they can see what I’m doing at each stop,” said Kirk.
Kirk loves what he is doing, but would appreciate any type of sponsorship if the opportunity presented itself.
“I really love promoting disc golf, I’m getting it out there to the masses,” he said. “I wish I knew what I was doing and was able to get sponsorship.”
To learn more about the sport of disc golf and see a directory of courses, visit www.pdga.com.
