Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Youngsters try their hand at throwing a disc during the Nov. 19 disc golf clinic in Williston.
Disc Golf Ambassador Jake Key directs aspiring athlete, Zoe, on her throw.
A player throws for the basket at the Williston Disc Golf Club’s free kids clinic on November 19.
Avid disc golfer Grayson Moody makes a shot in effort to teach the younger athletes by example.
Williston Disc Golf Club treasurer Keith Augustine teaches throwing techniques to a clinic participant.
Luke Deering preps for a throw at the Williston Disc Golf Club’s free kids clinic on November 19.
Williston Disc Golf Club founder Hal Mundy shows an emerging athlete the dynamics of throwing.
One of the 16 aspiring youngsters who attended the Nov. 19 kids disc golf clinic in Williston.
Williston Disc Golf Club founder Dalton Mundy helps a student learn how to throw a disc at the club’s free kids clinic.
A youngster practices his throwing technique at the Nov. 19 disc golf clinic for children in Williston.
A disc golf clinic participant practices his throwing technique on Nov. 19.
Since a group of dedicated disc golfers started the Williston Disc Golf Club a few years ago, the sport has captivated players of all ages across Barnwell County. This was evident when 16 aspiring athletes arrived at the Williston Town Park at 9 a.m. to partake in the club’s November 19 kids clinic.
Aside from expertise from Williston Disc Golf Club founders Hal and Dalton Mundy and club treasurer Keith Augustine, professionals came to aid in guiding the aspiring athletes.
Jake Key, also known as ‘Dr. Frisbee,’ traveled from Charlotte, N.C. to participate in educating the next generation of disc golfers. Key is a professional player and is a disc golf ambassador at Innova Discs, a premiere disc company which provided discs and other gear for the clinic.
“We’re also glad that Pete May was able to make it, he is a hall of famer in disc golf,” said Dalton.
May is a household name in disc golf and his other niche sport, ping pong. He won the National TableTop Championships in the 75+ division and represented the United States in the World Veteran Table Tennis Championships.
Key and May have walked courses and shared experiences together in the past, and Key was glad to reconnect at the Williston Town Park even if it was only briefly.
The Mundys, Augustine, and Key worked together to share their disc golf knowledge with the younger generation.
One participant, Zoe, explained how she felt like a professional when walking the course alongside Key. She expressed that the clinic only made her want to play disc golf more and made her look forward to showing off her skills to her family who she frequently plays with.
The students participated in activities involving the entire group as well as traveling the course in smaller groups for more individualized practice on things like stance and throwing.
As Key walked around with three students, he encouraged them to take shots they were hesitant of and practice good sportsmanship.
“It’s all about getting the next generation involved in disc golf,” said Key, who has dedicated a decade to the sport and recruited over 10,000 players.
“I made a choice to commit my life to growing disc golf, to playing disc golf, and to hopefully leave a legacy that people can look at,” said Key.
Key was glad to have returned to the Williston Disc Golf Course to lend a hand after providing input to the Mundys when they were first establishing it years ago.
Aside from the growth of the club in the town park, the Williston Disc Golf Club is projected to grow in the Barnwell County Consolidated School District (BCCSD) as well.
According to Dalton, there have been conversations with administration over Williston-Elko Schools and Blackville-Hilda Schools to introduce disc golf as a club sport. Both Mundy and Augustine are educators at BCCSD.
The recent addition of disc golf clubs at schools in North Augusta would allow for competitions if BCCSD were to create a club in the future.
However, for now, disc golfers of any age are able to play against each other for competition or fun at the Williston Town Park.
