A sport gathering more attention in the area, disc golf is beginning to spread throughout State’s campus. There are two popular courses in the area; one course can be found on Centennial Campus and the other at Kentwood Park, the latter of which is the practice course for a growing club at N.C . State. Last semester, NCSU had its first club disc golf team in years. 

In its first year, the men’s club team competed in the National Collegiate Disc Golf Championship in North Augusta, S.C . In an impressive debut, the men’s team defeated University of South Carolina in the final round to finish 14th out of 36 teams.

“As a team, we were happy with our finish at the national championships,” David Weaver, a freshman in First Year College, said. “However, we have set new goals for this year and hope to be in contention for a national title.”

This year’s team looks to make a strong push for the national title. All five starters from last year are returning and have strong desires to win. The team has added five new players during the fall semester, including the younger brother of head coach Justin Jernigan . The team is excited about the addition of their new coach and look to gain the experience and knowledge Jernigan will bring the team.

“The team is moving in the right direction,” team president Matt Behrhorst said, “with the addition of experience coaching and influx of new young talent.”

Jernigan , with the assistance of Robert Leonard, will be coaching the team for the first time this year but knows what it takes to win. He is a former amateur disc golf world champion and is excited about the opportunities ahead.

“I am very excited to be coaching this group of talented individuals,” Jernigan said. “This year, we are setting our goals very high and going after the national title.  I feel confident we can make a very strong run.”

The team will be competing for the first time this year at the Northeastern Collegiate Championships this weekend. This semester, the team will also be competing in the Southeast Collegiate Open in Appling , Ga. along with the Alabama Slammers Tournament in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The team will also compete once again in the National Collegiate Disc Golf Championship, in North Augusta, S.C .

The team is currently planning to host a local tournament at the Kentwood Park on Kent Road to raise money and awareness for the club team. 

“The team encourages anyone interested to come out and enjoy a fun day of disc golf while supporting the team,” Weaver said. “Top finishers will be rewarded in disc golf merchandise.”

The team practices Tuesday afternoons at Kentwood Park off Kaplan Road. New members are encouraged to come out, but spots on the team are competitive.