Putting Into Popularity

Hunt, McMahan, and Fairbanks Share Their Grasp on Disc Golf

Syra Lundergan, Writer/Managing Editor

February 27, 2024

Senior Jeffery McMahan advancing on the Freeman Lake disc golf course. This is a standard disc golf basket that is considered a “hole.” Photo courtesy of Jeffery McMahan.

On any given day after school, seniors Talon Hunt and Jeffery McMahan are headed straight to Freeman Lake Park; not to fish, bike, or boat, but rather to throw a few rounds of disc golf.

Disc golf became an organized sport just 50 years ago in 1974. The game started with individuals shooting frisbees, aiming them at targets made up of trees, trash cans, light poles, buckets, or pipes. The rules are akin to those of standard golf accompanied by similar slang such as par, hole, tee box, and putting.

While senior Talon Hunt partakes in disc golf competitively, it is also a great source of quality time with his family and girlfriend. Photo courtesy of Talon Hunt.

With a grand total of 163 in Kentucky alone, Hardin County has three 18-hole public disc golf courses: Freeman Lake Park, Radcliff City Park, and Muldraugh Disc Golf Course. However, many churches in the area, such as Severns Valley, have scaled-down paths for practicing.

“There are a few courses within an hour of Elizabethtown. One of my favorite courses is Otter Creek near Muldraugh. I normally just play at Freeman Lake because it’s an 18-hole course with many different style holes,” Hunt said.

Weather permitting, it is standard for tournaments of every level to be hosted weekly from early spring to late fall. The majority of these are organized into A, B, and C-Tier events. There are higher tiers, but they’re reserved for disc golf professionals. C-Tier events are likely to be the most comfortable for amateur players. Additionally, the college scene has begun to recognize disc golf as a competitive sport by organizing clubs on campuses and establishing a collegiate league.

Hunt and McMahan have each been playing for a couple of years. Hunt credits the friendly environment for fostering his love of the sport, while McMahan tributes his step dad for kindling the new hobby.

Senior Jeffery McMahan played a frosty game of disc golf this winter which resulted in a shot made from on top of Freeman Lake. Photo courtesy of Jeffery McMahan.

“Honestly I just feel like a lot more people should play, it’s really underestimated. Once you get the hang of it it’s a lot of fun,” McMahan said.

Now being experienced players, Hunt and McMahan are both sponsored by Lone Star Disc, a disc manufacturing company operating out of Conroe, Texas.

“Our Tournament Team is comprised of high rated individuals that attend multiple tournaments throughout the year and promote both themselves and Lone Star Disc in a respectful manner on and off the course,” www.lonestardiscs.com published.

Additionally, disc golf seems to be touching people of all generations in the Bruin community. Science teacher Jonathan Fairbanks shared how his family came across disc golf by chance.

“The first time we [the Fairbanks family] saw it, we had no idea what it was. We were just at a park, hanging out, and we saw disc golf going on. I was just like I want to try it,” Fairbanks said.

Fairbanks lucked out and purchased a few beginner disc golf sets at Academy Sports that were on clearance to try it out.

“We do it just as fun for the family and to get outside, get some steps in, and be a little bit competitive,” Fairbanks said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re good or if you’re bad, just going with a big group of people is kind of fun.”

With that being said, The Central Times encourages you to take advantage of the 60 degree weather we’ve been blessed with this February and pick up a frisbee or two.

For more information on all things disc golf, visit https://www.pdga.com/.