By VICKIE FEE

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — On Sunday the Marquette Guts Frisbee Association hosted the largest Guts Frisbee event in more than 40 years at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome.

The first-ever Guts tournament was held at Eagle Harbor in the Keweenaw in 1958.

Teams of 24, comprised of both men and women, gathered from across several states for last weekend’s tournament.

“The sheer number of players was exciting. There were lots of rookies, and even first-time players,” said Guts player Braden Golisek. “We had one 10-year old and a bunch of guys who hadn’t played since the ’70s. Our team did a great job of getting the word out on social media and with posters all over (NMU’s) campus.”

Guts Frisbee was invented in the Upper Peninsula in 1958 as a backyard picnic sport, he said.

About 200 people, mostly friends and family, showed up to watch last weekend’s tournaments, which went on for eight hours.

The U.S. National Guts Frisbee Tournament will be held at Tourist Park in Marquette in August, Golisek noted.

A world competition is held every four years in conjunction with alternative Frisbee. Golisek said he will be traveling to Australia to compete with at least four other Marquette natives. An all-women’s team will be going to Australia, including one woman from Marquette and a couple of women from Houghton.

“We’re at a great place in this sport. There’s never been a better time to join. New people are coming in, and it can only get bigger from here,” Golisek said.

For more information check out the website at gutsplayers.com or find local information at Marquette Guts Frisbee Association on Facebook.

Vickie Fee can be reached at 906-228-2500 ext. 242. Her email address is vfee@miningjournal.net