Oklahoma Christian adds disc golf to club sports roster

Disc golf will become the sixth and newest club sport at Oklahoma Christian University, as announced on Jan. 13. 

Club Sports Director, James Hayes, said disc golf will help build connection between the club sports program and university as a whole. 

“Disc golf is a rapidly growing sport that can be enjoyed by everyone,” Hayes said. “It was really a no-brainer, as we feel disc golf is a great opportunity to include the main student body as well as the community.”

Calvin Ryan was named head coach for the team on Jan. 13. Ryan grew up playing disc golf, and he met Hayes at a bowling alley when he heard about the job.

“I’ve been at the course my entire life,” Ryan said. “My dad would drag me to the course since I can remember and I have played consistently ever since.”

Before graduating from Oklahoma State University in December 2021, Ryan met Hayes and heard about the opportunity. 

“The timing with me meeting James and graduating just worked out so perfectly,” Ryan said. “An opportunity like this is a dream come true.”

The program is being built from the ground up, with no current commitments or signees from players. Ryan said he is not worried about roster building because interest in the sport is higher than ever.

“A lot of high school kids are realizing that the sport is becoming legit,” Ryan said. “I really just hit the ground running a week ago, but recruiting and talking to players getting them interested hasn’t been hard.”   

Collegiate disc golf features a circuit of regional tournaments, and teams must qualify for a national tournament. The season is year-round according to Ryan, with the national tournament in April. Oklahoma Christian plans to begin competing in regional tournaments in Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas in fall 2022.
“Keep an eye out as we plan to be in full swing by the fall,” Hayes said.

The Oklahoma Christian program will be one of the first scholarship disc golf programs to date. Ryan said this program marks another milestone in the growth of disc golf across the country.

“To start a scholarship program is unheard of at this point, but necessary for the sport to grow,” Ryan said. “Oklahoma Christian giving out scholarships is a huge stepping stone in legitimizing the sport.”

Changes are also being made to the on-campus course. The 11-pin course will be expanded to a full 18, and the existing pins will be made more difficult. 

“It’s going to be really challenging and good for the players,” Ryan said.

The course will remain open for students and the public. 

“We have plans to host events for all students and the community as well,” Hayes said.

Ryan said having a collegiate-level course available will pose an advantage for the team.

“When you live on a course you have no excuse to not practice,” Ryan said. “When you have a course at your doorstep there is inherently an advantage.”

The sport of disc golf has boomed due to its accessibility.

“At the end of the day, anybody can pick up a frisbee and throw it,” Ryan said. “It is very technical at a high level, but it is easy to pick up and have fun which is the primary reason for the recent growth.”