Gardner-Webb Disc Golf Club Competes in College Disc Golf National Championship

Senior Mason Martin Finishes 12th in Singles; Team Places 27th

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb senior Mason Martin was a freshman in 2022 when a group of upperclassmen revived the Disc Golf Club on campus. Members worked to introduce others to the game and the club has grown in size. This year, Martin and Garrison Hobbs, Ryan Kepler and William Altman decided to compete in the College Disc Golf National Championship in Rock Hill, S.C.

First, they had to qualify by competing in several conference and regional tournaments. Martin noted they chose to compete in Division III. In February, the Club sponsored a bonfire to raise money to attend the championship, which was held recently. The bonfire was also recognized as Event of the Month by the Inter-Club Council, giving them an extra $50 in club funding.

Club advisor, Neal Payne, associate minister to the University for Student Ministries, accompanied them to the national championship. The four-day event consisted of three team rounds and one singles round. “We all did very well, especially considering this was our first year competing as a team and our first year competing on a national scale,” Martin shared. “As a team, we finished tied for 27th (out of 47 teams) with a score of -17.”

The singles rounds and placements were as follows (there were a total of 181 players):

• Martin: Tied for 12th with a score of -6
• Garrison Hobbs: Tied for 29th with a score of -3
• Ryan Kepler: Tied for 125th with a score of +5
• William Altman: Tied for 136th with a score of +6

Martin, a computer science major, said the club started as a way to bring together everyone on campus who enjoys the game. “While we have grown into the competitive scene this year, we still hold to our roots and hope to be an outlet for students to learn and get plugged into the game of disc golf,” he asserted.

Martin is one of the officers serving the club, the others are Joshua Johnson, Joseph Frye, and Altman. The club recently hosted a tournament on campus open to anyone who wanted to play. Next year’s officers—Altman, Johnson, Frye and Kepler—hope to keep the club’s momentum going.

“We are always looking for people to introduce the game to and for any students interested in competing, despite their current experience, with the hope of introducing a women’s team next year as well,” Martin affirmed

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.