Spring Break
Disc golf gains interest, popularity on campus
Mike Daly
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Sports
Long-term commitment and money are two things with which many college students struggle.
However, junior David School, president of UW-Whitewater's disc golf club, said neither of those elements are needed to enjoy one of the country's fastest-growing sports.
"It's really fun without much of a time commitment," School said. "Anyone that's interested in the club should come out to the leagues and find out what we're all about."
According to the Professional Disc Golf Association Web site, the sport formalized in the 1970s and has since grown steadily. Today, the PDGA includes more than 16,000 members.
"It's blowing up," said Eric Godin, the club's vice president and treasurer. "They say it's the fastest-growing sport you've never heard of."
At UW-Whitewater, the club works with other schools within the UW System in organizing a statewide tour. Each of the schools hosts a tournament during the year and invites the others to compete.
The team captured first place at the UW-Stevens Point Snow Throw Massacre Feb. 23 and hosted the Whitewater Slaughter on April 5. School said UW-Whitewater's tournament drew strong interest and was a successful fundraiser for the club.
While the team has enjoyed a modicum of success, School and Godin want to attract more members, and they're willing to teach newcomers who might be nervous about trying an unfamiliar sport.
"It sounds intimidating to people," Godin said, "but it's a really welcoming atmosphere even if you're not really good. Last year we coached a guy who never played before, and in four weeks he took eighth in a tournament."
A club membership fee, which covers the cost of tournaments and travel expenses, is available for $40.
If students prefer to only play on-campus with the club, they can pay $10 to join leagues, which meet Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m. on the course's first hole. The course is located at the northwest corner of campus near the baseball and soccer fields.
"We do competitive things," Godin said, "but we're really just about fun and having a good time out there. That's what disc golf is all about."
Students interested in joining the club or requesting more information can contact School at SchoolDW01@uww.edu.
However, junior David School, president of UW-Whitewater's disc golf club, said neither of those elements are needed to enjoy one of the country's fastest-growing sports.
"It's really fun without much of a time commitment," School said. "Anyone that's interested in the club should come out to the leagues and find out what we're all about."
According to the Professional Disc Golf Association Web site, the sport formalized in the 1970s and has since grown steadily. Today, the PDGA includes more than 16,000 members.
"It's blowing up," said Eric Godin, the club's vice president and treasurer. "They say it's the fastest-growing sport you've never heard of."
At UW-Whitewater, the club works with other schools within the UW System in organizing a statewide tour. Each of the schools hosts a tournament during the year and invites the others to compete.
The team captured first place at the UW-Stevens Point Snow Throw Massacre Feb. 23 and hosted the Whitewater Slaughter on April 5. School said UW-Whitewater's tournament drew strong interest and was a successful fundraiser for the club.
While the team has enjoyed a modicum of success, School and Godin want to attract more members, and they're willing to teach newcomers who might be nervous about trying an unfamiliar sport.
"It sounds intimidating to people," Godin said, "but it's a really welcoming atmosphere even if you're not really good. Last year we coached a guy who never played before, and in four weeks he took eighth in a tournament."
A club membership fee, which covers the cost of tournaments and travel expenses, is available for $40.
If students prefer to only play on-campus with the club, they can pay $10 to join leagues, which meet Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m. on the course's first hole. The course is located at the northwest corner of campus near the baseball and soccer fields.
"We do competitive things," Godin said, "but we're really just about fun and having a good time out there. That's what disc golf is all about."
Students interested in joining the club or requesting more information can contact School at SchoolDW01@uww.edu.
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