When Peter Ruby opened Sabattus Disc Golf in 2006, the game wasn’t exactly mainstream. Not a lot of families thought of flinging discs at a basket when they wanted an outing. Six years later, SDG is one of the most popular family-friendly courses in the state

All because Ruby’s nephews thought he should check out the game.

Name: Peter Ruby

Age: 47

Town: Sabattus

Job: Owner, Sabattus Disc Golf

How did you first encounter disc golf? After I had purchased the property that is now Sabattus Disc Golf, two of my nephews suggested I visit a course near by. Needless to say, they get to play for free!

Why start your own course? After visiting several courses in Maine and outside of Maine, along with talking to disc golf manufacturers, I could see a perfect fit for this parcel of land and a new way to market disc golf. What I envisioned was integrating ball golf amenities into disc golf, creating an environment that welcomes all regardless of income, gender, age or skill level.

Who is the typical disc golf player? Good question. Based on SDG’s experience, there is no typical demographic. SDG is pleased to say we see a great cross-section of all ages, genders, income levels, along with handicapped kids and adults. Not many family-affordable activities can make that claim.

Do you get many players who are also fans of traditional golf? Yes we do, many in their 20s and 30s. And those ball golfers that try disc golf for the first time end up playing more disc golf than ball golf because of its affordability and being such a fun sport.

Do you play traditional golf? I have played a few times, but not on a regular basis. Ball golf is a great sport and has a much larger following primarily due to marketing and a long-standing American tradition. But because of the struggling economy, and a large overhead, many U.S. golf course are in trouble and don’t have a good foreseeable future.

What’s the best season for playing disc golf? If you ask a true blue disc golfer, any season is a great time to play disc golf. For those that have never played, I would suggest anytime other than winter. Unless you like digging in the snow for your disc!

Do players yell “fore” in disc golf? Or the less formal “duck”? They do yell “fore,” “incoming,” “duck” and “sorry.” But in all seriousness, avid disc golf players take the sport very seriously and use the proper etiquette. What is nice about disc golf, when you yell and jump up and down on the greens because of a great shot people don’t mind.

What’s the best part about owning your own course? For me there are many, but I’m most thankful for being able to spend time with my family every day and my two dogs. It’s great being able to work in my backyard every day. I can’t thank people enough for playing disc golf at SDG, other than we will continue to improve the customer experience here.

What’s the worst part? Nothing. I enjoy it all!

Tiger Woods — is he potentially the best disc golf player ever or should he stick to what he knows? Well, it depends. Tiger has a disc golf video game that he is very good at. But for the real deal, I would love to see him holding a disc; it really would turn people’s heads.

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