EXPERIENCE THE UNITED STATES DISC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP IN ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA
For the 26th year, the United States Disc Golf Championship will be held at Winthrop Lake in Rock Hill, South Carolina, from October 10th to 13th. They are also excited to host the Throw Pink Women’s Disc Golf Championship (TPWDGC) and The Fresh & Now evening concert series. If you’re not entrenched in the disc golf community, this is like the Masters of the disc golf world. The sport has become popular in the past decade, with thousands of people attending the USDGC. Rock Hill is also home to the East Coast Warehouse for Innova Discs, an American disc golf brand and manufacturing company that was among the first to produce equipment specifically for disc golf. Various vendors and food trucks will be on-site in the Championship Village, located in the heart of the course. The USDGC will have a souvenir spot with apparel and disc golf equipment commemorating both Championship events.
Credit: Chad LeFevre
Schedule
Each day of the championship features new experiences for both the local community and disc golf enthusiasts, with it all free after 5.
● October 10: Fan Appreciation Day—Kick off the festivities with discounted day passes, free entry for kids and military, and a live performance by Treehouse in the evening. It’s a day dedicated to celebrating fans!
● October 11: Throw Pink Women’s Day—Women enjoy free admission, a lively mimosa party, and an evening performance by Karina Rykman, followed by a dance party with DJ Rivka Ruth. In partnership with The Blood Connection, attendees can donate blood from 11:30 to 7:30.
● October 12: Family Adventure Day—This event is fun for all ages, with a kids’ zone featuring corn hole, mini golf, and one-wheel demos. The day will conclude with a live performance by Perpetual Groove & Friends.
● October 13: Championship Sunday – Witness the crowning of the US Disc Golf Champion, see players throw across Winthrop Lake in the Distance Championship, and enjoy a live performance by Clayon Q following the awards ceremony.
The Fresh & Now Music Festival
For the 2nd year in a row, the championship will include an evening jam band concert series at Winthrop Lake.
When: 6 pm to 7:30 pm (10/10-10/12). 6:30 pm (10/13)
Where: Championship Village Main Stage
10/10: Treehouse will kick off the festivities.
10/11: Karina Rykman with Rivka Ruth will light up the stage.
10/12: Perpetual Groove & Friends will keep the energy high.
10/13: Clayton Q will bring the house down on the final night.
Best Places to Watch While You’re There
The Winthrop Arena Course is a fan favorite because of its easy accessibility and spectatorship. Unlike other courses, the arena is open and not heavily wooded, lending itself to easy site lines. Below are a few of the best holes to post up at:
Hole 1 (near the shack)
- The party starts at Hole 1, where Disc Golf Network will be live-streaming the championship.
Hole 5 (road by the lake)
- Watch the big par 5, where players repeatedly test the water.
Hole 7 (across from Championship Village)
- This world-renowned hole attracts visitors from around the world who want to try to pass the narrow bamboo fence.
- Kick your feet up and relax in comfy seats in tents surrounding the hole, sponsored by ZÜCA, Inc.
Hole 17 (by the lake)
- The most dramatic hole on the course is the one on which more tournaments are won or lost.
- Plays down at the lake, can rest your legs on the hillside, and watch the drama unfold.
Championship Village
- Located directly behind the tee of the famous Hole 7 aka the “Bamboo Hole”. There are more than 30 vendors, food trucks, games, prizes, and a free 9-hole “Ace Place” course that is fun for all ages and skill levels.
Fun Facts About Disc Golf
Credit: Chad LeFevre
- In the United States, disc golf has been the fourth fastest-growing sport over the past few years.
- With more courses being open to the public and many places being free to play, it’s no surprise that many are picking up disc golf right now. It’s always fun playing with others, so grab someone new and introduce them to discing, or even join a club or team!
- Disc golf was invented in the early 1900s by a group of elementary school friends.
- Ronald Cain and his friends began playing a game in which they would throw lids into circles drawn into the sand. This is the first known idea of disc golf, and the first known game happened in Canada in 1926.
- According to the UDISC growth report, there are more disc golf courses than Dunkin’ Donuts in the United States.
- There are over 9,465 disc golf courses in the US, but only 8,500 Dunkin’ Donuts shops.
- 90% of disc golf courses are free to play.
- Disc golf is one of the most economical sports, with most courses not charging for playtime or membership and most discs costing less than $50.
Where You Can Play Disc Golf in York County
Winthrop Lake
This beautiful disc golf course is set around a lake on a college campus environment. It’s long and mostly open and as you would assume, water comes into play on many holes. There are several picturesque holes. This course was used for the 1997 World Championships. Many holes have water come into play. #4 has a Mando to protect the parking lot (you must go right around the first tree).
Boyd Hill Recreational Park
Boyd Hill’s lovely park setting offers recreational professionals an enjoyable yet challenging disc golf experience. 18 holes beginning with some open ones and then upping the challenge by moving into the woods. Beautiful rolling terrain makes this a very popular course. You can follow the arrows on the bottom of each basket to the next tee, otherwise, you might end up getting lost!
Camp Canaan
Camp Canaan Disc Golf Adventures includes sixty holes on two Innova Disc Golf-designed courses. The Sandhills Disc Golf Course has 20 holes and the Riverbend Disc Golf Course has 20 holes with two sets of tees.
Course Details
Both PDGA Disc Golf Courses are open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays. Players may purchase a single Day Pass or a Year Membership. A Day Pass includes free parking and all-day access to all 60 holes. Players may tee off from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Tee-off times are first-come, first-served, and all rounds must be finished by 5:00 PM. Players are encouraged to register online in advance for a faster check-in time.
Pricing
- Day Pass – $6
- Membership – $75
- Hole Sponsorship (includes 1-year membership) – $150
Fewell Park
Fewell Park is probably one of the smallest disc golf courses in the world, but don’t let that turn you off. Instead, it is a great place to hone your short game or to introduce a beginner to the sport. Bring a couple of discs and see how many holes you can play in an hour, or play skins with a friend. See how many birdies you can sink in a row. Fewell Park is also an Aceplace course, one of Innova’s brands that build short, beginner-friendly 9-hole courses.
Join a Disc Golf League
Rock Hill Women’s Disc Golf League plays every Wednesday at Fewell Park from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. It’s free to play, and prizes donated by Throw Pink are given away at the end! Rock Hill Disc Golf usually plays on Tuesdays around 6:00 PM, switches courses weekly, and does a putting league every Thursday night at Slow Play Brewing!
