Winthrop University hosting disc golf championships this week. What to know
Winthrop University will host the United States Disc Golf Tournament Oct. 5-8. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the tournament.
There will be more for visitors to do than simply watch the tournament.
The Fresh & Now, an evening concert series, will take place each night at Winthrop Lake after the final round.
On Oct. 5, Empire Strikes Brass, a brass funk rock ensemble playing beats with thumping rhythm and a rich horn section, will perform live. The Tan & Sober Gentleman, which plays Irish pub music with a hillbilly twist, will perform Oct. 6. Big Something, a combination of rock, reggae and funk, which has played at Bonnaroo and Electric Forest, takes the stage on Oct. 7. And to round the festivities out, Josh Daniel, a local bluegrass singer/songwriter will perform on Oct. 8.
Fans also can try new food at the local food trucks, which will be on site. The group of trucks include Cibi Cibi, Jam Rock Jerk Spot, and King of Fire. There also will be vendors, including John McDaniel Tye Dyes and Orbital Creations.
All about disc golf
The main action will take place on Winthrop’s disc golf course.
The university has hosted this event since its debut in 1999. The course is considered one of the tougher places to play, with narrow fairways, out-of-bounds areas, elevated baskets and water hazards.
More than 100 players are expected to compete. That includes 40 in the Throw Pink Women’s Disc Golf Championship.
Gannon Buhr, last year’s champion, will return.
A game primer
Disc golf is somewhat different from traditional golf.
Obviously, players will use a frisbee and throw it with their hands. Players aim for a chain-linked basket.
One throw (stroke) is counted each time the disc is thrown or when a penalty is called. The goal is to play each hole with the least possible strokes. Whoever has the lowest score wins.
What to know about the tournament
Each day of the tournament will start at 10:15 a.m. and conclude between 5:30-7 p.m.
The first day of the Throw Pink Women’s Championship will start at 7:50 a.m. and go until 2 p.m. Day 2 starts at 8:30 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. Days 3 and 4 go from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There also will be a spectator appreciation day at hole 7 Monday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Winthrop Arena Course.
Tickets are available online at https://discgolfunited.com/usdgc/passes.html. Day passes are $25 and VIP passes are $100. Winthrop students, faculty and staff get in free with a Winthrop ID, including to The Fresh & Now concerts.
For those who cannot attend, the tournament will be available to watch on the Disc Golf Network.
