Courtesy Disc golf is gaining popularity all over the world, and it’s easy to learn to play.

There are not very many options in the middle of the summer when it comes to sports in Texas.

Basketball, football and hockey seasons are over, and it is just too damned hot to get outside and play any of those yourself. The only thing there is to watch or play is baseball, right?

Wrong.

If the nation’s past-time doesn’t interest you, try disc golf.

Disc golf is a sport that combines the strategy and the playing style of golf with the throwing of a disc that is similar to a Frisbee. The whole point is to throw your disc toward a basket made of chains, with each throw counting as a stroke.

At the end of the course, the person with the least number of strokes wins. Simple. Now that you know about disc golf, it’s a great time to learn about a big tournament that is going to be happening in the San Antonio area.

The Live Oak Summer Open disc golf tournament is the largest disc golf event in the San Antonio area.
“This is the biggest event of the year for our club, and it only seems to be growing in popularity,” said tournament director Brian Paschal. “Disc golf is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and every year it is getting closer to making the transition from novelty to mainstream.

“New courses are being installed, and we are seeing more people playing on the ones we have.”

The beauty of disc golf is its easy playing style. Like golf, you’re not directly competing against another person. While the person with the best score wins, and that’s what the tournament is all about, amateurs can pick the sport up and just go out to try to improve their personal scores.

Skill from each end of the spectrum will be represented by players of all ages at the tournament. So everyone should feel comfortable playing, no matter what his or her skill level.

Several different divisions have been set up, including: professionals, amateurs, ladies, masters (over 40 years old) and grandmasters (over 50 years old). Entry is open to the public, but if you just feel like watching, the event is free for spectators.

Sam Carroll | 210SA contributor