By Cam Srivastava 

Since its founding last school year, the Disc Golf Club at Spartanburg Day School has greatly increased its presence and is thriving with full participation. You can often see members playing the nine-hole course around campus during Midday MAC or after school, bantering with each other and occasionally walking onto the baseball field in shame to grab a disc after an errant throw. While the Day School’s course is in a convenient location and perfect for a quick round, members often additionally go to play at other, more difficult courses around the Upstate, such as Tyger River, Wofford, and The Pipeline. 

One of the club’s leading members is Zach Rawlinson, a skilled player who has won multiple PDGA backed tournament events. He highlights how he got interested in the sport and how his initial passion has led him to become a recognizable and highly ranked player around the Upstate. 

 

How did you get interested in disc golf, and why has it continued to be an integral part of your free time? 

My brother, my dad, and I learned what disc golf was in 2018, but it never became something we regularly did until COVID hit. At that point, we played basically every day, and that is when I got hooked. The reason I'm so invested in disc golf is that it provides two outlets for me. One is the competitive side, where I am not only trying to improve my game but also learning to discipline myself. By competing, I give myself something to work towards, and I get to learn who I am as a competitor and a person. The other side is the casual side. Disc golf is my way of getting exercise, clearing my mind, and also just enjoying myself. I take pride in calling disc golf my hobby and having the opportunity to share it with others.

 

How often do you play/practice? How did you get so good? 

I play disc golf in some form around 6 days a week, whether that be putting practice in the backyard, throwing in the field, or playing a full round. I spent many years playing tennis and throwing a frisbee with my dad as a kid, so the mechanics of throwing a disc came very naturally to me. It then became a matter of tweaking my form and establishing consistency, which I am still working towards. 

 

What would you say to those interested in potentially trying out the sport? 

Don't be afraid to start playing, even if you think you're bad! That is the #1 thing I hear beginners say, and that shouldn't be what holds you back. You only need a couple discs, and you'll be surprised how fun it is.

 

The club is always open to new members and is seeking recruits, as most current members are seniors. If you want to come out and give disc golf a try, you can always borrow some of the discs Mr. Lonon has in his room until you decide to buy your own. Maintaining membership in the club is based on the following requirements:  

 

“Club membership is conditional on participation in 1 club competition OR 3 club events during the school year. Club Events are defined as either practice rounds with the club or service time where the club works on the school course or teaches others about the sport. The highest ranking club member at the practice round is responsible for recording attendance if Mr. Lonon is not present. Club Competitions include tournaments here at SDS (actual play, putting, etc..) or competitive rounds outside of school, but representing SDS.”