Students at Bates Elementary School now have the opportunity to learn a new sport on Friday evenings, disc golf.
Students at Bates Elementary School now have the opportunity to learn a new sport on Friday evenings, disc golf.
Physical education teacher Tyler Irving just finished teaching his upper elementary students a unit about disc golf who are eager to learn more about a sport that he says could be the next craze after pickleball.
“Disc Golf has been a passion of mine ever since I was exposed to and taught how to play in 6th grade,” Irving said. “Since then, I have spent time traveling to new courses, making new friends, and getting great exercise out in nature all while having a blast at the same time.”
As a first year teacher with the WBSD, Irving said he knew he wanted to provide an opportunity to show students all the positive benefits of disc golf and all the fun that comes with it. “It's hiking with a purpose, good physical exercise, and an objective at hand,” he said.
Disc Golf is played very much like traditional golf where one throw is like one stroke. The goal is to play each hole with the least amount of throws. A disc that comes to rest in the disc golf basket or suspended in the chains constitutes the successful completion of that hole.
Students will learn more and practice throwing techniques, course strategy, and
Scoring. Besides the outdoor exercise, the students will be able to engage in friendly competitions and team-building exercises that promote cooperation and sportsmanship among peers. Some of the additional benefits for students include improved hand-eye coordination, focus, and decision-making skills through the challenges of frisbee golf.
Woodhaven is fortunate to have a Disc Golf Course at the Hall Rd Park which is 9 holes. Downriver is home to seven courses: Wyandotte, Riverview, Trenton, Taylor, Woodhaven, and there are courses at Brownstown Middle School and Willow Metropark. Today there are over 7,000 disc golf courses installed throughout the world.
Ed Headrick invented the frisbee in 1966, and in 1976 invented the disc golf basket, to which he is credited as the “Father of Disc Golf.”
Irving is not only passionate about the sport, but passionate about his students learning something new and having a new channel of physical activity.
“I really feel like many students don’t play outside or get physical activity when they get home,” he said. “It’s a new outlet of physical activity, and the students see it through the school itself and make connections.”
The new club meets on Fridays at the Hall Road Park in Woodhaven, where the students will be putting into action what they have learned in class.