Area high schools add pandemic-safe disc golf programs for students

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GERMANTOWN — One of the nation’s fastest growing sports is starting to gain some steam in the Miami Valley as several local high schools have added or are considering adding disc golf teams as a pandemic-friendly way to get kids active.

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Valley View High School was one of the first in the area to start a program with Northmont, West Carrollton, Centerville, and Miamisburg all planning to start as well.

Chad Evans, who runs the Valley View program said the sport is a great, safe way for kids to get outside safely and stay active.

“It’s a good way to get outside, it’s a good way to stay socially distanced while playing and it’s good exercise. They’re able to interact with each other and they didn’t have to do it through a Google meet or a Zoom,” Evans told News Center 7′s Kayla Courvell.

And since the pandemic started last year, the sport has seen an increase in interest and participants. At Valley View’s first practice this week, 13 students showed up to play.

Disc golf is scored similarly to golf, with par set for each hole. Players throw discs towards targets and try to stay at or under par and its played on either 9 or 18 holes.

Zachary Payton, founder of the National Disc Gold League High School Program added the sport is welcoming to people of all abilities.

“I think getting the kids involved when video games have taken over, it’s super important to get kids off the couch and into nature, you can get out into nature and don’t have to be an athlete to compete,” he said.

Back at Valley View, Evans said he’s looking forward to the other schools adding programs.

“In the future it would be nice to play other schools just for some competition,” he said.