The SAU Buzz

Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Katie Voelliger Matt Schlabach throws while Andrew Caruso waches

There's a sport gaining popularity by taking over the Quad Cities. Combine Frisbee discs, tee-boxes, metal baskets and someone will end up with disc golf. It's similar to golf - in course layout and comparable to throwing a Frisbee back and forth with a friend. However, serious disc golf players will tell otherwise.

"Junior year in high school is when I started to build my disc golf collection and now I have over 100 discs," student Matt Schlabach said. "Since then I have been playing it everyday its nice out. I have only played in one PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) sanctioned tournament."

Schlabach isn't sure when he first started playing, but he thinks it was back in eighth grade. His friend's brother, who is a professional, took him to a course in Geneseo. He has won several world championships and is wife is a three time women's world champion in the sport.

Student Edward "Buster" Owens likes the sport because people can play as they please.

"It can be as laid back or as competitive as you want," Owens said. "There are so many different courses to explore. Unlike soccer or any other traditional sport that's played on a standard field or pitch, disc golf courses can vary drastically from place to place."

"Disc golf allows me to clear my head, so I am able to relieve stress that builds up," student Andrew Caruso said, who has been playing for a little more than three years.

"Some benefits of playing disc golf are getting in shape and just having a great time with friends."

There are three main types of disc: drivers, midrange and putters. Within each of those categories, there are many different types. Some discs are faster than others and some glide more than others. Some go left, some go right and some stay straight.

This sport isn't only for men either. They have seen more women on the courses lately and now, more are playing without men.

"Before, most girls were there just because their boyfriend or guy friend invited them, but that's starting to change," Schlabach said.

Caruso, who has participated in four tournaments, says the main differences between men and women are throwing power and popularity.

Continued...

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