By the end of the day Sunday, April 28, there were more than the usual significant aches, pains and tiredness amongst disc golfers across Perth. Well to those of a masters age at least. Despite these ailments to our more mature players, the overwhelming feel was one of friendship, family, respect and wonderful memories both old and new.
The history of Frisbee sports and disc golf in Western Australia is very strong and dates back to the late 70’s. Each year disc golf in Perth comes together to pay tribute to Rob Hancock one of our early founders of the sport who sadly passed some 35 years ago now.
At WA’s oldest permanent disc golf course in the northern suburbs of Perth, we all gathered on a picture perfect sunny autumn morning for a day of disc golf unlike any other event. Today we honoured the memory of Rob Hancock by playing, laughing, and sharing memories on the course named after him.
The Rob Hancock Memorial Disc Golf Course in Greenwood is a 9 hole course that has stood the test of time in both appearance and skill required to navigate a good score. Installed back in the mid-eighties when discs flew much straighter, much slower and required a completely different skill set to fly down the narrow fairways. Many courses of this age around the world tend to be no match for today’s super-fast and long flying modern sharp edge discs. Even today with all this new fancy plastic it still takes skill, patience, power and touch to obtain the same scores we achieved over 30 years ago on the same layout. A challenge both in skill physically and mentally still after all these years.
To allow for a larger field size five temporary holes are added in between the permanent holes to make it a fourteen hole round. Players would play fourteen holes, break for a tasty sausage sizzle lunch, the usual reminiscing about what could of been in the first round then play another round of fourteen.
Just throw and land within the circle on the dreaded island hole
The thirty-degree sun drenched day was most welcomed and provided a perfect setting for a great day of disc golf and friendship. Following two rounds of disc golf completed with bragging rights and winners decided in the usual player divisions the time was now for the unique aspect of this event.
Rob Hancock was a schoolteacher, friend and mentor to some of those still playing and competing today. To honour that long history and bond across the years a showcase final round of six holes is held featuring the top four masters aged players regardless of division. The four players over the age of 40 with the best scores would play off for the perpetual Rob Hancock Memorial trophy.
One of the things that makes this final so much more special and an honour to be a part of is the presence of Mr. Sam Hancock. Sam is Rob’s father and this year in December will turn 98. Sam’s appearance at the close of this event each year is both emotional and inspiring along with a laugh or two as only Sam can provide.
The top four masters playing this year’s final would be Chris Finn, Rob Cinquini, Chris Himing, and Carl Bellesini. Scores during the first two rounds were strong and lower than last year. Only four strokes separated the finalists. Players were introduced on Hole 1 with Sam Hancock watching intently and flashing his big smile. The gallery of our peers, fellow competitors and family all watching on.
In a final shootout with a gallery in tow, you would expect play to be full of power drives, great putting and birdies galore. Well after a full days play our final four would all show their age a little as the creaks and groans kicked in. The muscles a little more tight and tense from day’s start that may of affected some shots more than normal but they were none the less competitive and hungry to play well. Rob Cinquini continued his strong recent form to produce some great drives and nearly caught Chris Finn to make the result a tight race.
The event came down to the last hole which is a temporary hole finishing near the event HQ. Sam Hancock was right there watching and waiting to greet the winner. Rob Cinquini was now one shot behind Chris Finn, while Chris Himing and Carl Bellesini just one shot apart in the fight for third place. Rob was first to drive and pulled a little long and right towards the gallery but in range for an uphill around a tree attempt at birdie and maybe tie for first place to force a playoff. Chris Finn was next on deck and was hoping for a good drive to force the pressure back onto Rob. Chris Finn sent his drive dead straight and with more height than normal on this hole. The slight elevation up and then down change on the hole makes for a tough shot in order not to either hit short on the ridge in the middle of the fairway or fly past the basket placed on a down slope hollow. The final 4 players on the tee had the perfect view as the disc from Chris Finn headed straight at the basket. Silence on the tee, as they knew it was an ace run. The gallery being to the side of the basket only saw and heard the moment of impact. That distinctive sound of a disc crashing into chains is unique and thrilling to our sport. Unfortunately for Chris Finn the disc hit slightly to the left of centre and spat out and long resting up against a grass tree. The crowd reacted with a cheer and then gasp as it splashed out just missing a rare tournament ace. To win the tournament on an ace was not to be. Chris Himing and Carl Bellesini both had grass tree affected putts and both made pars. Chris Himing would finish in third one shot up on Carl. Chris putted next and his disc hit dead centre for birdie and the win. Rob completed his birdie but was left one shot behind Chris. Chris Finn would be crowned winner for the third consecutive time.
As the day ended and before trophies were awarded, Sam Hancock was presented with a set of signed player cards featuring those players Rob knew, taught and played with. This group now known as the 78’s honoured Rob by producing a player card with his image. Also presented to Sam was an Australian Disc Golf membership card in Rob’s name and the designation of ADG membership number 1. Rob Hancock will forever be the number 1 member of the ADG.
A wonderful day or disc golf, friendship, and memories to celebrate and honour a long lost friend. Well done to the TD Jacob Stanley for making it a special event.
The muscles may be aching, the mind exhausted and the medicine cabinet a little less stocked than yesterday but none of us would have it any other way. We are all disc golfers and love what we do and the people we do it with. Regardless of age, ability, or time in the sport, today we paid tribute to Rob Hancock, as we will do for years to come.
Thank you Rob, we miss you.
Thanks to the following people
Jacob Stanley – Tournament Director
Chris Himing – Article and Photo
Keenan Jae Vellios – Photos
Steve Hancock – Photos