It’s golf … with discs. It’s drives and approaches and putts. It’s a great sport that is fun to play and easy to learn. Like the ancient game played with clubs and balls, disc golf provides recreation, challenge, and competition for athletes who love the outdoors.

Both golf games share the same structure and thrills – players striving to complete the course in the fewest strokes, but needing only one great shot to bring them back another day.

In 1983 Innova created the first true golf disc. By replacing the plastic park toy of old, Innova transformed disc golf into a dynamic sport of distance with accuracy.

The only real difference is the equipment. While disc golf can be played with any flying disc, most players prefer discs designed specifically for disc golf.

There are different discs for different disc golf shots, but you only need one disc to get started. People have enjoyed disc golf for over thirty years. Today, its unique combination of challenge, fun, and affordability has made it one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

Play in Wausau at Memorial Park or in Weston at Machmueller Park as well as Yulga, Mead and Standing Rocks in Stevent Point or  Riverside Park in Merrill.  See you there!

The grounds of the Marathon County Public Library in Downtown Wausau, Wisconsin were transformed by the artistic hands and strong shoulders of the Granite Peak Ski Area Parks Crew, under the leadership of Bobby Smith to host the second Badger State Games Rail Jam on Feb 5, 2011.

More than 60 talented snowboarders and skiers strutted their stuff in the third competition of the day orchestrated by Midwest Best Snowboarding’s Dana and Bryan Wilson.

Winners in five divisions won cash and prizes provided by Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods and Central Board Shop with the support of K2 Snowboards, Line Skis, Ride Snowboards, 686 and Nomis apparel, Seige audio and many others.  A prize toss put prizes in the hands of nearly every participant.

The event began with the official Badger State Games Opening Ceremony and Torch Lighting and the competition continued under the lights with colorful commentary by Midwest Best and Dave Kalloway of WIFC radio.  An after-party hosted by Malarky’s Pub kept the good vibe rolling.

Sincere thanks to Wausau DPW, who delivered loads of clean snow to augment the course, the MCP Library for welcoming the event and providing a warm registration area, American Family Insurance for free hot chocolate, Granite Peak Ski Patrol for being on hand, Badger State Games for including us, and everyone involved for creating a great event for local and regional athletes to show the world what we’ve got in Wausau.  :)  ~Theresa

Thanks Wisconsin Shred Project for making this great video of Badger State Rail Jam!  Thanks for the great photos Mr. Kalloway!

Photo Credit: Dave Kalloway

Photos: Dave Kalloway

Photo: Dave Kalloway

Midwest Best Team Shirts. Photo Credit: Dave Kalloway

The Rail Jam is organized by Midwest Best Snowboarding and Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods under the umbrella of The Badger State Games and with the assistance of Granite Peak Parks staff and Central Board Shop.  Athletes will compete for cash and prizes and can register on-site beginning at 4:00pm, or they can pre-register on-line at www.midwestbest.org.  The fee is $25 on site the day of the event or $20 on-line in advance.  The event is not a medal event in the Badger State Games, but will be scored by USASA Certified judges.

“Thanks to Granite Peak Ski Area, Wausau has become a destination for top-tier skiers and snowboarders from throughout the region.  There is a demand by this group for competitions and events that mirror the experience they would receive at mountain venues,” said Dana Wilson, Midwest Best Series Director. “We have a great team of professionals  assembled who know how to deliver the kind of event these athletes are asking for.”

In addition to watching athletes strut their stuff across custom-made rails and obstacles over the background of energetic music, viewers can visit vendor tents featuring snowboard and ski products and information and sample free hot chocolate from Badger State Games Sponsor American Family Insurance.

The library building will be closed with the exception of the lower level garage where registration will take place.  Bathrooms will be open to the public in the garage area.  Parking is available in three parking ramps within steps of the competition site .  The City of Wausau Department of Public Works will bring in extra snow to supplement the course.

“Downtown Wausau is a destination for families and adults seeking live entertainment, “ said Theresa Shepherd, Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods.  “We’re thrilled to offer one more special event here that anyone will find entertaining whether they know anything about snowboarding or not.   Dress for the weather and bring the family.”  Following the two-hour event Malarky’s Pub, 408 Third Street, Wausau, will play snowboard videos with a DJ spinning records, ala’ ‘X-Games’.

“We appreciate the partnership and support of Badger State Games, DPW, Wausau Parks Department and Granite Peak Ski Patrol,” said Shepherd.  “Everyone involved has been willing to get creative and work together to create another entertaining event downtown.

Rail Jam Entry Form

Contact:  Theresa Shepherd, Shepherd & Schaller, 715/218-4249, Dana Wilson

Midwest Best Snowboard & Freestyle Ski 262/643-4607, Julie Holberg

Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation Marketing Coordinator

(608) 226-4780 X238

Ski For Youth is a learn-to-ski program for 2nd Graders through Age 17 presented by Friends of Spike Berg volunteer ski instructors. Sorry we do not teach snow boarding.  The History of Ski For Youth can be found here.  A Ski For Youth Flyer is available here.

Complete the “Ski For Youth 2010” registration form.  Pre-registration is required and must be received in the mail at the address below by December 1, 2010.  No Phone, Web, Fax or On-site registrations accepted. There is no fee for the ski lesson.

You must complete Granite Peak Parent’s Frequent Skier Agreement & Release of Liability for 2010-2011 and Granite Peak Ski Rental Agreement & Release of Liability 2010-2011 if you rent equipment. Be sure to review and complete for each child as needed. Do not mail. Take to ticket window AFTER checking in.   Initial Lift Ticket and Ski Rental costs are $10 each, plus 5.5% sales tax and 3% enhancement fee. After attending one Ski For Youth lesson, subsequent lift ticket and rental is $5 each plus sales tax and enhancement fee. Save receipts as you may apply these costs to the purchase of a season pass for your child.

All youth must check-in each day of participation between 11:30 –12:30 in the lower level of the Historic Chalet – see site map. Youth needing ski rental should check-in at 11:30. After checking in go to Ticket Window to pay for lift ticket and rental equipment (if needed). Those needing equipment then go to Rental building. Make a note of the ID # of your equipment. Skis and poles are not permitted in any building other than Rental. You may wait in the chalet until called to ski trail at East end of the Historic Chalet (about 1 pm). Parents, after accompanying your child to the ski trail and they are assigned to an instructor, we ask you not to follow along as your presence is often a distraction. The lesson will last about one hour after which participants can use the remainder of the day to practice what they have been taught. Before leaving your child(ren) be sure to arrange a time and place to meet at the end of the day (we suggest the chalet and not the parking lot). Lifts stop at 4 pm. Return ski equipment to rental.

Mail completed forms to:

Ski For Youth, 3803 Powers Street, Schofield, WI 54476

In case of an emergency, the emergency contact person will be called to the hill. In that event you will be told where to meet your child.

Complete the registration form for each youth. PLEASE PRINT!

Granite Peak is offering a Season Pass Discount through December 24, 2010.  Print these coupons (125kb pdf) and bring them to Granite Peak.

The group has acquired tools and materials for the project but is looking to raise funds to purchase a trailer to hold their work gear, so additional trails can be built and the current trail can be maintained.  Visit wausauwheelers.org to make a donation or get involved.

Ride the new Big Eau Plein track FREE!