A Family That Throws Together

A Family That Throws A Family That Throws Together Together By Kayla Perla By Kayla Perla

Last summer, in her article “Flying into Summer with Disc Golf,” our friend Jeweliana Curtis taught us about disc golf. In the article, Jeweliana explained that, “Disc golf is a ying disc sport in which players throw a disc at a target on a designated course. Similar to golf in rules and objectives, the object of disc golf is simple: the winner is the player who has the lowest number of total throws across the game.” She continued, “Disc golf is o en described as a lifetime tness activity, so players can truly begin enjoying the sport at any point.” Jeweliana even included a step-by-step walk-through of how to play disc golf.

Back row: Nick Carlucci, Martin Hayes, Leah Carlucci, Andrew Carlucci, Daniel Carlucci. Middle Row: Erin Thompson, Theresa DePasquale, Natalia Carlucci, Madison Hayes. Front row: DJ Carlucci, Drew Carlucci. Since last summer, we have found from some area enthusiasts that disc golf can be played for fun, as a hobby sport or played competitively. One of these enthusiasts is Daniel Carlucci. While speaking to Daniel Carlucci, a local disc golf tournament director, it was clear that disc golf is more than a sport—it’s a family-like community. “Disc golfers are huggers,” explained Daniel. “We truly care about one another and act like one big happy family.” Daniel is one of ve Carlucci brothers (Daniel, Nick, Chris, Peter and Andrew), all of whom enjoy getting together and playing disc golf often! As a tight-knit family, three of these brothers also work together in their roo ng company, Florida Roof Masters. Having grown up in Live Oak, the brothers never had access to play as children, but grew a quick appreciation for the game when, ve years ago, Peter began to play and the rest soon followed! The other brothers admitted that Peter is the best of the group and even competes at the highest ametuer division in the sport, just shy of professional status. As the brothers all began to dive deeper into the sport, their family business began to host a local annual doubles tournament in Live Oak’s Heritage Park. As the tournament director, Daniel grew a deeper understanding of the national groups and tournaments and decided to try and bring the larger disc golf tournaments locally. He succeeded! “I decided to do it just because I love and want to grow the sport—as well as bringing people from around the country to our area and see what we o er,” Daniel said. His dreams are becoming reality! People from as far as Washington State have been in attendance at his disc golf events.

READY TO JOIN IN ON THE FUN?

1. Join the Facebook page: Live Oak Disc Golf. 2. Ask for details. 3. Show up at Heritage Park in Live Oak any

Tuesday night at 5:30 during the spring and summer. 4. Learn as you go!

Daniel Carlucci leading o the pack for a family round. Drew Carlucci following in his dad’s and uncles’ footsteps. Nick Carlucci eyeing the basket. Andrew Carlucci aiming to beat his brothers.

The local disc golf tournaments take place in the spring and are sponsored by Florida Roof Masters. These tournaments are a part of the National Amateur Disc Golf Tour across the country. While registration begins roughly a month before the tournament, the spots are a hot commodity and ll up within a week. ”There is always a waiting list for the tournaments,” explained Theresa DePasquale, media director for the family business and tournaments.

Each local tournament is a one-day event. During the events, there are a variety of divisions set up, and each person plays in the category that they can be the most competitive in, such as women, men, junior 15 and senior. In 2022, the disc golf national tournaments consisted of 55 competitors at the Heritage Park event and 72 competitors at the Spirit of the Suwannee event. “On tournament day, everyone shows up and gets their players’ packs. Instructions are given and then each group, made up of four to ve people, set out to start at their designated spots,” Daniel explained. He continued, “A round of disc golf is played, then we break for lunch, followed by another round and an awards ceremony.” Daniel added that, “We keep the rules o cial because the winners get to go on to the national championship in Austin, Texas, where winners come from all over the country to compete at that event.” “The tournaments are great and give us an opportunity to expand the sport in our area, but just as, or maybe more importantly, we really enjoy being able to spend time together on a course in good weather,” said Daniel. Competing or not, the local disc golf community loves to get together and play. The community is more like a family—if not actual family. The population of players for the sport is typically made up of people from all ages, and local tournaments have featured ages as young as 12 years old to those well over 70, all of whom enjoy playing disc golf. Ready to give disc golf a try? Join the Facebook group: “Live Oak Disc Golf” and ask in the group for details on the meetups. Also, there is a group that meets weekly at Heritage Park in Live Oak any Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. during the spring and summer. The community is a safe place to learn as you go. Happy Disc Gol ng! ■

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