Greenfield’s Gillis MacDougall is making a name for himself in the disc golf world. 

MacDougall added another medal last weekend at the Spring Fever tournament in Gill and Greenfield, winning first place at the event. This comes on the heels of placing fourth at the 2022 Canadian National Disc Golf Championship on Prince Edward Island back in September. 

“I competed against some of the best in the sport,” said MacDougall. “I had hoped to make the top ten, but I knew it would be a challenge. I was absolutely delighted when I made it onto the coveted lead card and finished fourth.”

MacDougall discovered the sport in 2019 and took to it quickly. He rose through the ranks locally, and in June of 2021 took second place at the United States Amateur Disc Golf Championship in Michigan. 

In September of 2021, MacDougall tied for second place at the Hollows Fall Classic in Manchester, N.H.

“I had planned to wait until I turned 18 to go professional,” MacDougall said, “but coming in second in the pro division at that contest nudged me to move on from amateur, a classification I felt I’d outgrown. It was also great to be able to accept the cash prize.” 

After announcing as a professional, MacDougall was picked up by a sponsor in Finland. Clash Discs offers MacDougall support with promotion and provides apparel and high-quality discs made in that Scandinavian country.

“The quality of plastic produced by Clash is top-notch, and the flights make disc golf so fun and beautiful to play,” said MacDougall. “I’m honored to be on their team.” 

When he’s not throwing discs, MacDougall is a maker and creator. He’s the youngest ever part-owner of Real Pickles, the Greenfield-based company producing fermented foods.

“I joined the team at Real Pickles at age 16, and became an owner shortly after my 18th birthday,” he said. “I love many aspects of cooperative ownership and producing healthful foods. Learning aspects of entrepreneurship will serve me well in other careers and activities.”

A photographer and videographer, MacDougall’s work has been featured in local publications, including the Recorder and Uniquely Quabbin Magazine. His videos about disc golf and other topics are widely available online. MacDougall’s hobbies also include music. He plays the guitar and has studied bagpipe. 

“There are so many things I want to do, big dreams I hope to realize,” said MacDougall. “Sometimes I feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. But the magic of disc golf is that – in addition to being incredibly fun – it teaches me discipline and focus. I hope others will check it out and learn why I’ve decided to devote myself completely to this amazing sport.”

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