Disc golf takes flight in Tega Cay

An increasingly popular sport now has a home in Tega Cay.

A nine-hole disc golf course is open, beginning at Lookout Park and accessible through the city park and trail system. There are two practice cages. Innova Disc Golf in Rock Hill designed the layout.

“So many young people are looking for more ways to enjoy their community,” said Mayor George Sheppard. “Disc golf is one more addition to the numerous recreational amenities Tega Cay offers.”

The course wasn’t installed on a whim. Two years ago the city put together a facility needs survey. Residents requested a disc golf course. City Council approved $16,500 for the project in its 2014-15 budget, from hospitality tax revenue. In nearby communities like Rock Hill, disc golf courses are a draw for tourism and an amenity for residents.

“We are excited to offer a unique recreational experience to our residents and the surrounding communities,” said Joey Blethen, parks and recreation director in Tega Cay.

Those communities are proving to be hotbeds for disc golf, a sport similar to golf, but played with plastic flying discs aimed at targets. Both Charlotte and Rock Hill have hosted national or world championships. The Professional Disc Golf Association lists Richard Wysocki of Fort Mill as fourth in the world men’s rankings, with 72 career wins earning more than $163,000.

Russell Schwarz began working with Innova 18 years ago. He helped design the new Tega Cay course, which he believes will appeal to children, seniors and “mom and dad and the stairstep kids,” along with more experienced players.

“The course at Tega Cay is the perfect place for somebody to start playing,” Schwarz said. “There’s enough challenge to make it interesting. It’s a community, family-friendly course.”

The sport has grown at a fairly consistent pace, Schwarz said, since the first course arrived in Pasadena, Calif. in 1976. Early on, players like him built a course to have their own places to play. Now most courses are in local or state parks, with no cost to play beyond a general admission fee.

“Disc golf is growing like crazy all over the country,” Schwarz said. “We’re probably pushing 6,000 courses in the U.S.”

“Courses are going in at an outrageous pace,” Schwarz added.

Cost is one reason why popularity has grown.

“It’s phenomenally inexpensive to do. Right now most disc golf is free to play. You probably already have tennis shoes and a towel.”

Anyone who checks out the Tega Cay course and wants to see more advanced players can attend the national championship event Oct. 7-10 at Winthrop University. The course there began holding the championship in 1999. For more, visit usdgc.com.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 7:31 PM with the headline "Disc golf takes flight in Tega Cay."