The PDGA Innovation Grant Program was created to increase and promote the awareness of the sport of disc golf and the Professional Disc Golf Association. Applicants are encouraged to think outside of the box to develop innovative and unique programs which will promote the sport and increase participation. Several applications were received by the PDGA office prior to the June 3rd deadline for consideration for the first five of these $500 grants to be awarded in 2013.

The recipients of the five PDGA Innovation Grants and the names of the projects to be funded are:

• Sarah Etringer – Weekly clinics at the YMCA of Blackhawk County, Reinbeck, IA.  The Blackhawk Association for Disc Golf Education (BADGE) plans to host a weekly clinic to teach the fundamentals of disc golf to the participants of the summer camp.  The volunteer base is staffed by the University of Northern Iowa Disc Golf Club and will instruct young members of the community the recreational and educational benefits of the sport.
• Benjamin Gibbons - YMCA Camp Winnebago Disc Golf Program, Rockford, IL.  The long range goal of this program is to include disc golf as one of the focus programs for the camp, such as archery or canoeing.  In the short term, the program will focus on teaching the fundamentals of disc golf to the campers.  Youth will learn disc golf rules of play and etiquette in an environment that promotes physical fitness and sportsmanship and encourages participation in the sport.
• Dr. Jim Geurin, MD - Youth Tournament Entry Fee Grant Program of the Oklahoma Disc Golf Foundation, Tulsa, OK.  The program continues to support junior players by providing grants to pay the tournament entry fees and PDGA memberships of certain deserving junior players in the area.  Players are encouraged to excel in disc golf through regular competition and tournament play, and to be positive role models to other junior disc golfers.
• Dr. Justin Menickelli - Girl Power! Partnering Disc Golf with National Girls & Women in Sports Day, Franklin, NC. The goal of this unique project is to partner disc golf with National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NAGWSD) by educating girls on the fitness, sportsmanship and environmental stewardship opportunities that disc golf affords. The project will teach the basic skills, rules, and etiquette needed to play and provide participants with equipment so they can enjoy disc golf for a lifetime. This project will be a real grass-roots effort to bring the great sport of disc golf to the girls in our community.
• Tim Petrea - Weekly clinics for junior disc golfers in Haywood County, NC.  Participants in the summer clinics will be instructed on throwing techniques, standards and rules of play, and general disc golf etiquette.  The program will seek to introduce more of the junior population of Haywood County to this lifetime recreational activity.  Parents will also be encouraged to join in on the fun.

The PDGA office wishes to thank everyone who submitted an application for this round of grants. Applicants who were not chosen this time are encouraged to re-submit their applications for consideration in December. Five additional grants will be awarded in mid-December of 2013 with an application deadline of December 3, 2013. Information, guidelines and an application for the PDGA Innovation Grants program can be found here.