At its inception nine years ago, the Alabama disc golf team consisted of UA students and Tuscaloosa residents with a passion for the sport. Now, the team consists of nine students.
The team’s home course is at Bowers Park and is considered one of the state’s most elite courses. The team has two formal practices each week. On Sundays, the team is involved in a doubles league that is open to the community. The team encourages anyone interested in the sport to attend.
It wasn’t until May 2007, when Pete May founded the National Collegiate Disc Golf Union, that the team had the ability to play against other schools.
Alabama was one of the founding schools for disc golf in the Southeastern Conference, and this will be the first year the team will compete against other SEC schools. The Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee presidents have worked together to put a competitive series together. LSU and Auburn are currently the only SEC universities without a team.
With many teams now competing for the national title, only 25 teams will have entrance to compete. The Alabama team is the only university to compete in the national championship the past four years and has also placed in the top four each year.
Since disc golf is such a new and upcoming sport, there was not a set schedule developed for this year. In fall 2011, the new disc golf series will begin. The team is looking to rebuild the team after losing players that graduated. The team’s practices are mandatory, and each player is required to play in additional individual tournaments.
“We need to improve on getting more experience,” President Conor Bentley said. “A lot of guys haven’t played, and we need teamwork and to get out and play.”
Bentley grew up in Michigan and has been playing since ninth grade. When he learned that students on Alabama’s campus played, he immediately pursued getting involved.
Though the University provides the team’s travel expenses, they must maintain specific volunteer hours and present to the University a presentation that the club team puts together in order to remain a club sport.
“I would like to see the team foster growth in the sport and to try and help them to develop into better golfers and for them to enjoy the sport,” said local professional disc golfer Jay Woodrough.
Woodrough helped start the disc golf course at Bowers Park and travels competitively throughout the year to play in tournaments.
“I’d like to see us develop more team leadership and bonding events,” said Vice President Conrad Crandall. “I’m excited about the new talent.”
The disc golf team will be in action Nov. 6-7 in the SEC Championship at the world renowned FlyBoy course in Whitesboro, Ga. Eighteen SEC schools will compete for a seed into the national championship but only five schools will advance.
On Nov. 21, the Tuscaloosa Disc Golf Club and the Alabama team will host a mini tournament at Bowers Park that is open to the public.
The team will also reach out to the community Feb. 19 when it hosts its Second Annual Alabama Slammer tournament. This tournament will advance a sixth SEC team that will be seeded into the national championship.
