Disc Golf Takes Root in Remote African Village

In the heart of rural Zambia lies the remote village of Macha, where a unique phenomenon has taken root. The once-unknown sport of disc golf has become an integral part of life in this small African community, thanks to the tireless efforts of a local team led by "Coach" Wilborn Munkombwe.

It all began in 2016 when Hannah and Dustin Leatherman, founders of Eagles Wings, a division of the Push the Rock global sports ministry, arrived in Macha with a vision to introduce disc golf as part of their after-school program. With the help of a PDGA Marco Polo Grant and equipment donations from Innova Champion Discs, they built the country's first disc golf course, a nine-hole beginner-friendly layout that quickly became a hit among the local youth.

The initial clinic drew over 100 kids between the ages of four and 18, who were eager to learn the basics of the game. As the sport gained popularity, so did its accessibility. Local schools began incorporating disc golf into their physical education programs, and by 2018, several Zambia staff members had attended PDGA events, including the first-ever PDGA event in Africa, the Ethiopian Open.

Fast-forward to 2019, when Eagles Wings returned to Macha for the Zambia Open, a sanctioned event that marked the beginning of an African Disc Golf Tour. The tournament drew over 50 players, including 15 junior qualifiers, and saw Wilborn Munkombwe emerge as a rising star in the disc golf community.

Under Coach Munkombwe's guidance, disc golf has become an integral part of daily life in Macha. The after-school program now includes dedicated disc golf training sessions, where kids come to practice their skills every day. The success of this initiative is evident in the growth of junior players like Mutolo, a 13-year-old phenom who shot the course record and won the junior division at the Zambia Open.

Eagles Wings' efforts have paid off, with over 31 PDGA members now part of the local community. The organization continues to support disc golf development in Macha, with plans to build a second course and introduce more advanced training programs for players.

As Esther Schultz, a volunteer who spent three months in Macha teaching disc golf to locals, observes: "I could see the best disc golfers in the world coming out of Zambia. Where else in the world are kids coming every day to be trained in disc golf?"

The future looks bright for disc golf in Macha, and it's clear that this small African village has become a hub for the sport, inspiring hope and excitement among players and organizers alike.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/zambia-disc-golf-comes-age-eagles-wings-returns