A quartet of Yukon disc golfers packed their discs and headed to Bonshaw, P.E.I. to compete in the Canadian Nationals over the weekend. The event did not go quite according to plan because on Saturday after leaving the links hurricane Dorian swept through parts of the Maritimes.

The divisions the four Yukoners played in were cancelled on Sunday due to the destruction left in the wake of Dorian and on Saturday they were unable to get all their rounds in.

“The hurricane was pretty interesting, I have never witnessed anything like it,” said Megan Stallabrass. “I was inside for the worst of it but even the wind leading up to that felt like I was going to blow over. The trees seemed to blow and bend all the way over, tops to the ground. Seeing the course afterward was an experience I won’t forget, so much destruction.”

“We got slammed by the hurricane,” said Josh Paton. “The winds were 150 mph and there were hundreds of downed trees on the course that made it unplayable.

“We got an email saying Sunday was cancelled and I had to see the course for myself. It was astonishing how destructive it was.”

Al Hill said it was an experience he will not soon forget.

“Canadian Nationals and a hurricane, it’s an overwhelming experience,” said Hill.

“The course got decimated. It was my first hurricane, it was pretty neat.”

Ryan Norquay said the Saturday play wasn’t so bad weather-wise, but you could feel the storm building.

“It was eerie and ominous but still really nice out,” said Norquay. “You could feel the pressure building. As we finished, the rain and wind came and we hunkered down. Baskets were destroyed and there was no way to play, it was quite the experience.”

The Canadian Nationals not only brought the best players from across the country it also brought some of the top professionals globally. In all, 278 disc golfers converged on the island.

If there was a silver lining to the destruction left by Dorian it’s that the Yukoners got to watch the professionals play.

The course they played on, Hillcrest, was not as decimated as the “Huck It” course used by the other categories.

Norquay said all the pros had games which were out of this world but said he learned the most tips from watching the professional women.

“The women were twice as good as I am,” said Norquay. “Their game is closer to mine. They don’t have the speed or power but watching the shots they executed, I took some tips.”

The pro men were live-streamed during the event but the ladies weren’t, Norquay said that should change.

“They don’t get the coverage they deserve. They travelled from all over and are the best in the world.”

Stallabrass didn’t watch the pros as much but what she did watch she found motivating.

“I didn’t watch as much as I would have liked to, I was mentally and physically exhausted after my rounds. I did see some of the pro ladies tee off, they are very inspiring.”

Hill enjoyed watching Paige Pierce and Paul McBeth, the two players he credits as best in the world.

Paton said he may have picked up a tip or two after watching the best disc golfers in the world. He also noted that the amateurs were able to follow them around the course.

Hill had the highest placing of the Yukoners placing second in the Advanced category. Playing on Huck It, Hill threw 55 on 18 holes and Saturday while playing 13 holes he shot a 47. He was two strokes off the winner.

“I was happy with how I played in round one,” said Hill. “In the second I didn’t capitalize on my drives.”

Hill, who has played in three Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) events this year, said the Huck It course resembles the courses in Whitehorse.

“It is a cool course with tight fairways, lots of trees and creeks. It fits our style of play up here.”

Before the official competition, there were competitive practices held and Hill said it was good for him to familiarize himself with the course.

Norquay also competed in the Advanced class but had lingering shoulder and forearm injuries that affected his play.

During the practices Norquay said he was feeling good.

“I played great in the warm-ups,” he said. “I managed to play a respectable game.”

In tournament play he came 40th, shooting 73 for round one and 48 on the shortened second day.

“I wish I could have had that third day to fight back,” said Norquay. “I fell back, had some unlucky tree hits and got myself pinched into some tough spots on the fairway.”

Although he wishes he could have had that third day Norquay said, he or anybody else felt wronged by the decision to cancel it.

For Stallabrass, it was her first Nationals and first time competing in an official PDGA tournament. She came sixth, beating ranked players, shooting 84 and 65 respectively.

“I am a bit of a perfectionist so I hoped to do better, but realistically I know I should be happy with it,” said Stallabrass.

“I have a lot of social anxiety so just going and playing was a feat for me. I am sure I could have done better, but I could have done worse also, six out of 10 is not too bad.”

Having played on the courses around Whitehorse, Stallabrass said there were similarities to those in P.E.I.

“The courses we played had some tight treed lines similar to our Solstice course, but they had their differences as well, never had to worry about water hazards before,” she said.

“There were some pretty long holes on both courses, and the wind was another factor I am not used to playing in. The courses were beautiful and well maintained, I love trying new courses.”

Paton playing in the Intermediate division came 13th throwing 66 and 49. He missed the practice sessions but thought he played well in the tournament.

“I played well and threw really well,” said Paton. “I achieved the goals I set out for.”

The division he played in, he said, was very competitive.

“It was a good challenge and it forces you to step up,” said Paton. “It was above my expectation.”

At future Nationals, Paton said he would like to find himself in the top three and believes he has a good chance at hitting at least top five.

Paton said it was great to be around a bunch of like-minded people and that disc golf has a strong, healthy scene in the Maritimes.

The quartet that travelled to P.E.I. all said they left feeling motivated to give Nationals another go a year from now.

Whispers have it located in either Ontario or B.C.

On Sept. 21, the 2019 Whitehorse Disc Golf Association (WDGA) Fall Classic tournament will be taking place at Meadow Lakes Golf Club. Paton and Norquay are organizing the event.

Norquay said it is the first time a tournament in Whitehorse will be played on a ball golf course.

“It’s happening throughout the sport,” said Norquay. “Hopefully it’s a success and there is the potential to do more in the future.”