While there has been large disc golf events held in the past, one coming this May could easily make the largest impact for not only those in the disc golf community, but for a much larger and more important group: children fighting cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

The PDGA announced today plans for the inaugural St. Jude Disc Golf Charity Invitational. The tournament will be held Memorial Day weekend May 22-24 in Seaside, California at the Bayonet Golf Course. Two unique disc golf courses will be designed for tournament play at this beautiful location.

On the event’s Facebook page, PDGA executive director Brian Graham says, “The Professional Disc Golf Association is pleased and excited to partner with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to create the St. Jude Disc Golf Charity Invitational. We invite our members and all disc golfers around the world to join in our efforts to raise funds to support this most worthwhile of charities, all while showcasing our great sport to an entirely new audience. Whether you play in the event on the beautiful Bayonet Course overlooking Monterey Bay, or simply join us in our peer-to-peer fundraising efforts, let’s all keep the St. Jude motto in our hearts and on our minds… Finding Cures. Saving Children”

We’ve been fortunate enough to have had some conversations with some of the event organizers and representatives from St. Jude over the last few weeks and this is certainly becoming quite the event. While the tournament itself will be exciting, the opportunity to help an organization like St. Jude could be very special.

A few years ago, professional disc golfer Dana Vicich launched his Disc Golf for Pat and Meredith charity fundraiser. Pat, Dana’s mother, and Meredith, Dana’s aunt and Pat’s sister, lost their battles with cancer. Dana turned his tournament run at the 2012 World Championships into a fundraiser. People could pledge an amount for each throw Dana would take at the tournament. This raised thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society in Pat and Meredith’s honor.

Dana and Paul McBeth are the Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Co-Chairs for the event with Catrina Allen also on the committee.

Disc golfers who compete in this event will have a chance to use their platform as a way to raise a lot of money for the children of St. Jude. Picture Dana’s effort, but multiply it between each and every disc golfer at the event. The end result could be breathtaking. Every dollar matters in this case. Even if you can’t compete in California, you can help make a big impact.

Personally, I have had the chance to experience the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids event held at local radio stations around the country. In just a few days the radio stations I previously worked and the local community helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for St. Jude kids. We got to meet many kids who live in our own backyard who have spent time at St. Jude battling cancer. It was a very moving experience and having a chance to work with St. Jude again certainly excites me.

ATDG is in full support of the St. Jude Disc Golf Charity Invitational. We can’t wait to bring you more coverage and more stories leading up to the event.

Be sure to check out their Facebook page for the best location to find the latest information on this exciting new event!