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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

CALERA – Calera is preparing to host its first ever urban disc golf competition that will take place in a specially constructed temporary course in the downtown area of Calera on Saturday, Dec. 2.

The competition, entitled the Railyard Rumble, is the culmination of mutual cooperation and planning between Dynamic Discs Iron City, the Shelby County Disc Golf Club and Calera Main Street. With over 90 players having signed up prior to the event’s kickoff, it has exceeded early anticipations for public reaction and involvement.

“This event will be a great way for people who are new to the sport to come out and spectate some great disc golf from local and visiting players,” said Ben Swam, tournament director. “This is an officially sanctioned PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) event. Professionals and amateurs will compete for trophies and prizes in each skill division.”

Swam is the owner of the owner of Dynamic Discs Iron City, a locally owned retailer with locations in both Homewood and Calera.

Disc golf was first formalized in the 1970’s and is played much like traditional golf, where instead of a golf ball and clubs, the sport is instead played using a flying disc. As with traditional golf, it also has the same goal of a player getting their disc to the target in as little throws as possible.

Calera’s single day tournament will encompass two rounds of 18 holes that offer a day of play starting at 8 a.m.

“These players and spectators will get to enjoy lunch and shopping with the various merchants and sponsors downtown,” Executive Director of Calera Main Street Jackie Batson said. “The timing is perfect too.”

Following the tournament’s conclusion, Batson also recommends that guests remain in the city to visit Dynamic Discs Iron City’s local location and to line the street and sidewalks for Calera’s annual Christmas parade which begins at 6 p.m. the same evening.

That time-honored tradition, loved by local residents, will feature the theme of “Santa’s Workshop.” Although the event is set to begin at 6 p.m., attendants are being encouraged to arrive early, in order to find good positions along the parade route. Past years of the parade have seen crowds line up along the route and number in the thousands.

It is expected that attendance this year will follow that same trend in turnout and, if other events held in Calera this year are indicative, turnout may potentially exceed past numbers.

Once the tournament wraps up, guests are invited to hang out at Dynamic Discs Iron City and line the sidewalks for Calera’s Annual Christmas Parade that starts at 6 p.m. that evening.

Those looking for more information on the PDGA are encouraged to visit the organization’s website at Pdga.com

Event organizers recommend that those interested in taking part in the Railyard Rumble, or those seeking more information regarding the event, visit the event’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/events/898972595277568.