Individuals have been tossing flying discs for many years. However what was as soon as thought-about a leisure toy has develop into the premise for a serious worldwide sport — disc golf — that’s loved yearly by hundreds of thousands of individuals. In actual fact, disc golf has develop into such a world phenomenon that it’s now bringing collectively athletes to lift cash for underserved communities around the globe.
Most individuals have thrown a flying discs at one time or one other. And so they’re in all probability acquainted with conventional golf. However they might not know that the game of disc golf has been round because the Seventies — and is at the moment performed in additional than 80 nations.
Disc golf’s reputation has grown so quick that there are actually dozens of top-tier skilled tournaments every year. And similar to in conventional golf, there are 4 main championships every year for the world’s prime opponents.
One factor that makes disc golf so interesting is that it’s comparatively easy and simple to play. With only a few discs, anybody can play a disc golf course. It’s additionally far inexpensive — and fewer time-consuming — than conventional golf.
As a devoted disc golfer, I take into account myself lucky to take part in such a rewarding sport. I’m additionally inspired to see disc golf persevering with to draw bigger and bigger crowds at every year’s main tournaments.
As a result of disc golf is really easy to play — and simple to find on only a few acres — individuals preserve constructing disc golf programs. There are actually roughly 16,000 programs worldwide, together with two in Antarctica.
In an effort to provide again to a sport that has introduced me a lot enjoyment, I helped to launch a nonprofit in 2021 — the Paul McBeth Basis (PMF) — that’s bringing disc golf to creating communities worldwide. So far, PMF has constructed disc golf programs in 19 nations, together with Ukraine, Tanzania, Mexico, Bulgaria, Colombia, Kenya, Uganda, and Nicaragua.
If something, disc golf is reaching a brand new stage. This Sept. 20, disc golfers around the globe will take part in a one-day, international fundraiser. The ‘Throw for Extra’ occasion set for that day will convey collectively hundreds of disc golfers on each continent to play as many holes as potential — to lift funds for expanded disc golf entry in underserved communities.
The ‘Throw for Extra’ occasion is modeled on the walk-a-thons and endurance challenges frequent to most sports activities. Members are at the moment gathering pledges from mates and supporters. Each throw they make on Sept. 20 will assist to fund new programs, tools, and schooling efforts in areas the place disc golf has little or no presence.
We even have a novel objective. We’re hoping to interrupt the standing document of 116,000 disc golf rounds performed globally in a single day.
I do know from private expertise that disc golf has the facility to rework lives. This Sept. 20, disc golfers worldwide could have a possibility to make an actual distinction simply by doing what they love: enjoying disc golf.
Nate Heinold is chair of the Paul McBeth Basis, a non-profit group bringing disc golf to underserved communities worldwide./InsideSources.com
