Taking a Look at the 2022 Frisbee Season: Union Disc (Trevor Wilkerson)

As we head into March, many of us are excited for the season to be in full swing again. Some players will find their joy in a morning round at Tierra, and for others, it is the tournament grind on the weekends. No matter who you are, we are all itching to get back on the course and showcase our new and improved putting game from the Winter.

Many companies around the state are doing amazing work to support Nebraska disc golf in their own way, and one company that has found its  place in hosting tournaments is Union Disc. It was founded two years ago and is owned by Trevor Wilkerson and Zach Nickolite. Trevor has been running tournaments over the last 3 years and partnered with Zach in 2020. Together, over the last two years, they have worked to make Union Disc a staple in the Nebraska community for many players, but specifically for those seeking a competitive outlet. Union Disc exists to provide an enjoyable tournament experience for all while simultaneously raising the level of professional disc golf in Nebraska.

Throughout the 2022 season, Union Disc will be running 5 events, 4 B tiers and 1 C tier, throughout the state. They hope that by focusing on competitive course layouts and running events at the B tier status, they will be able to attract a competitive demographic and contribute to raising ratings in Nebraska. 2021 proved to be a successful year for the company and they will continue to work on finding a balance between competition and community engagement that will please all divisions. Aside from tournaments being vital to the growth of competitive disc golf, they also provide an opportunity to support local courses and help make a push for course improvements.

On March 19th, Union Disc will be heading to Columbus, NE to run the 2022 Pawnee Park Classic. This B tier will be hosted at Pawnee Park and will include a combination of temporary and permanent basket locations. With over $1,000 added between Professional and Amateur divisions, this event would surely be a great way to kick off your 2022 season. At this time, Union Disc is hoping to have all baskets set up by the evening of March 18 to allow for competitors to practice before the event.

Registration is currently open for:

• Pawnee Park Classic (B tier) – Columbus, NE – March 19 (https://www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/2202_Pawnee_Park_Classic_presented_by_Union_Disc_Sports_2022)
• Plum Creek Classic (B tier) – Seward, NE – April 10 (https://www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/2022_Plum_Creek_Classic_Pesented_by_Dynamic_Discs_2022)

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For the Love of Flying Discs — TeeBoxx Brings Fly Gear to the Point-of-Play

What if you could buy a new disc, or set of new discs, near the first tee of your local course? Would you do it?

It’s no longer a rhetorical question. In March, Omaha-based TeeBoxx installed its first automated retail center, or “pro shop in a Boxx” at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park in southwest Miami. Stocked with new discs from leading manufacturers, players, and those interested in trying the sport, are now able to stock up on the company’s “fly gear,” before hitting one of the park’s two 18-hole courses.

TeeBoxx has received a warm reception on the ground in Miami, and word is spreading fast through the disc golf community. TeeBoxx founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Aaron Martin, says TeeBoxx is a mission-driven organization and that proceeds from every purchase made at a local park go to help support the park, at a time when parks desperately need funding.

Martin says the driving idea behind the company is to act as a strategic revitalization partner for parks and courses. He explains the importance of the company’s private-public partnerships. “There’s self-interest here, in that these parks are literally our fields of play, but it’s bigger than disc sports. It’s about getting people to move and have fun.”

Martin, and partners Ross Brandt and Justin Cherry, has been inundated with requests for information since launching in March. It is a good problem for entrepreneurs to have, and the team is working hard to place their new automated pro shops at high traffic courses, and respond to all the interest pouring in from disc golf clubs, course architects, Parks & Rec departments, corporate events staff and from players around the globe.

TeeBoxx is active on Twitter and Facebook, and Martin is encouraged by the reactions from the community that he’s seeing there. Tuscaloosa Classic (@TTownClassic), for one, proactively wrote, “We’re ready for a @TeeBoxx here in Tuscaloosa. Two courses on the ground and two more on the way!”

TeeBoxx partners with interested parties at local Parks & Rec departments first and foremost, entrepreneurs, and retail companies governed by one of two programs based on specific geographic criteria. High traffic courses (or Premier Locations) that have more fund raising potential – being the priority in the companies business model – can choose to receive a TeeBoxx with nearly no upfront costs and a split in profits. All other locations have three and five-year leasing options making it affordable and available to any qualified party with good credit. Lessees can stock the TeeBoxx with their own inventory or buy from TeeBoxx at a competitive wholesale price. In either case, TeeBoxx provides the payment processing software, customer data, plus the legal and technical support, insurance and maintenance to make it all work seamlessly.

“A lot of people ask about security,” says Martin. It makes sense when you see what’s inside the TeeBoxx – rows of flying objects that want out! There’s no perfect solution he says, but the glass is shatterproof and the company’s second generation pro shop will feature a breach sensor that automatically drops a protective casing to safeguard the contents. Also, it helps that no cash is used in the transactions. TeeBoxxes also come loaded with a security camera, and alerts can be delivered by email or text.

“I’m certain we haven’t thought of everything, but we’re willing to learn as we go and grow the company by improving our service and our product at every turn,” says Martin.

In case you’re wondering you may have heard of these guys before. Brandt is a sponsored player on Team Vibram. Martin, until recently, was a sponsored player with Discraft. TeeBoxx plans to sponsor pro players in the future.

“We’re doing this because we love disc sports. It’s really the only way to go about launching a new company. It’s an all-encompassing pursuit,” says Martin.

About TeeBoxx

TeeBoxx is a mission-driven company working to promote disc sports by providing the latest equipment at the point of play. TeeBoxx partners with Parks and Recreation Departments to help fund the parks where disc sports are played with a new and vital revenue stream. Customers can also purchase disc sports equipment and learn more about the disc golf, freestyle and ultimate at TeeBoxx.com.