Isabel Hetherington
Sports Editor
Driving along South Avenue, New Canaan residents are used to the familiar sightings of Saxe middle school, the YMCA, and the Waveny Park entrance. However, few notice the entrance to the disc golf course in Waveny, one of the many courses established in the Fairfield county area. Even upon hearing the words “disc golf,” many are still left confused. “The club fair was the first time I had even heard of the sport,” junior Christina Donovan said. “I wasn’t even aware that we had a course.”
Disc golf, a combination of golf and frisbee, was formalized in the 1970s and has spread quickly throughout the United States. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), “The popularity of disc golf grew with unparalleled rapidity. Each new course spawned more courses in nearby towns and cities.”
Helping to stimulate the growth of this new sport in New Canaan are sophomores Riley O’Neill Charlie Sosnick, and Steven Windas. With Charlie’s idea to establish a disc golf club, the boys launched the club at September Club Fair. “We were playing it amongst ourselves and thought why not?” Steven said, “We also wanted to help the public.” “We decided to create the club because it was the best way to get people to know about it.”
With Principal Bryan Luizzi serving as the club’s advisor, the boys not only look to him for help with logistics but also for another player on the field. “Dr. Luizzi helps us organize some things,” Riley said, “He gets out there when he can, but we hope to play some games with him when he’s free.”
For Dr. Luizzi, he hopes the club will give students an opportunity to try something new. “What I’m looking to see happen is that all interested students can try it,” he said. “The club provides exposure to something new.”
One factor that makes this sport appealing is that it applies to a wide variety of people. “It’s a sport that people of all ages and abilities can do and something that people will see after high school,” Dr. Luizzi said.
Additionally, it’s easy for people to take part in. “It’s inexpensive and local.”
Overall, the boys are just looking at the sport as a way enjoy themselves and play with friends. “We just want to go out there and have fun.” Steven said, “We want to bring the game to as many people as possible.”
Currently, the club meets every weekend at the Waveny Park disc golf course, where the boys play in a lax manner. Eventually hope to take their club to the next level. “The next step after the club would be the eventually make a team,” Steven said. “We are interested in going to some competitions and are looking to expand.”
