Guts Frisbee holds 50th annual National Tournament
The Queen City Flyers and Team 151 face off during the 50th annual Guts Frisbee National Tournament at Marquette's Tourist Park. (Journal photos by Annie Lippert)
The Queen City Flyers and Team 151 face off during the 50th annual Guts Frisbee National Tournament at Marquette's Tourist Park. (Journal photos by Annie Lippert)
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MARQUETTE -- Tourist Park in Marquette was host to the 50th annual Guts Frisbee tournament recently. After the dust settled, first, second and third place went to Whiskey Disc, UP Hardwood and Shottle Bop. Whiskey Disc also took first place at last year's tournament.
Guts Frisbee was developed in the Keweenaw in 1958. To play, two teams of up to five members each stand across from each other. Someone throws the Frisbee as hard as they can at the opposing team and that team has to attempt to catch it one-handed.
"It started as a picnic sport," said Kurt Lahtinen, who has been tournament director since 2010. "At a family picnic, people just throwing the frisbee at each other. Then it developed as a game. And it was competitive, but a lot more geared towards having fun.
"Then it got super serious. And now it's a very serious sport, focusing on athleticism."
National tournaments began in 1976 and two of the teams who competed in that original tournament, the Queen City Flyers and Team 151, played again for this tournament.
Guts Frisbee remains focused around the Midwest, but people are now playing Guts all over the world, from Germany to Japan to Australia.
"USA Guts is working with international Frisbee clubs to expand this to a worldwide sport," said Lahtinen.
Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.