Students golf with frisbee, basket

One West Virginia University club provides students with an interesting take on a traditional game of golf through the sport of disc golf.

Instead of a golf ball and club, disc golf is played with a Frisbee and a basket, said Kevin Anderson, vice president of WVU's disc golf club.

The object of the game is to toss the disc into the basket in the least amount of possible tries, he said. The scoring system is similar to the par system used in golf.

"Disc golf is a pretty fast-growing sport," Anderson said. "Especially at the collegiate level, more and more teams are being started."

This is the second year the disc golf club has been at WVU, he said.

John Benyak, president of the disc golf club, said he started the organization because there was no formal club and he thought it would be a good idea to teach more students about the sport.

The main goal of the club, which currently has about 20 members, is to have fun, Benyak said.

"If you're not having fun while playing the game, then (participants) won't come back again to play," he said.

Although the team has not participated in any competitions this year, they hope to have a tournament next spring, Anderson said.

The club has been in contact with other college teams in the area, such as The Pennsylvania State University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he said.

They are also attending meetings to become a part of the Sports Club Federation, which will allow the club to be an official team, Benyak said.

Coached by Dylan Behrens, a former professional disc golfer, the team also hopes to attend the National Collegiate Disc Golf Championships in Augusta, Ga., Anderson said.

"Disc golf is a great opportunity to get outside and meet new people," he said. "It's a good way to get involved in a sport that not many people at WVU know about."

The club members also get involved in the community by volunteering at Westwood Middle School and have also taught disc golf to elementary students during an after school program, Benyak said.

Students interested in the disc golf club can contact wvu wvudiskgolf@gmail.com or visit http://discgolf.studentorgs.wvu.edu.