Eagles Wings Disc Golf Goes to Zambia | Professional Disc Golf Association
Date Published
**TITLE:** "Disc Golf Takes Flight in Zambia: A New Era for the Sport"
**META_TITLE:** "Disc Golf Course Installed in Macha, Zambia - A First for the Continent"
**META_DESCRIPTION:** "Eagles Wings Disc Golf and Push The Rock bring disc golf to Zambia, installing a 9-hole course and teaching locals how to play. The project marks a significant milestone for the sport's growth in Africa."
**ARTICLE:**
In a groundbreaking achievement, Eagles Wings Disc Golf and Push The Rock have successfully installed Zambia's first-ever disc golf course in Macha. This pioneering endeavor has brought the popular sport to the African continent, paving the way for its widespread adoption.
The project began as a joke four years ago, but it quickly gained momentum when Eric Thuma and his wife Corie, founders of Push The Rock, decided to make Zambia the destination for their international sports ministry. Dustin Leatherman, co-founder of Eagles Wings Disc Golf, was instrumental in making this dream a reality.
Eagles Wings Disc Golf is a division of Push The Rock, established in 2015 with the mission of promoting disc golf as a means of building relationships and spreading the gospel. To make the Zambia project possible, they secured funding from the PDGA through the Marco Polo grant, which covered materials for the course, employment costs, and equipment expenses.
Innovative solutions were necessary to overcome logistical challenges, such as shipping baskets. The team opted to hire a local welder to build the baskets using locally sourced materials. This creative approach not only saved resources but also resulted in surprisingly high-quality baskets that exceeded expectations.
The designated land for the course proved to be an ideal location, with existing walking paths and abundant natural features that added excitement to the game. Within three days of construction, nine baskets were installed, along with 18 tees, hand-painted signs, and a beautiful course sign.
The week-long trip provided ample opportunities for teaching the community about disc golf. The first official clinic was held at the Push The Rock Zambia rec center, where approximately 100 children from age four to 18 participated. Later in the week, staff members had the chance to expose these same kids to the newly built course.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the sport, an in-depth clinic was conducted with Push The Rock Zambia staff, consisting of 14 Zambians and a few volunteers. This comprehensive training empowered them to teach locals how to play, rules, and most importantly, how to instruct others.
The success of this project has far-reaching implications for disc golf's growth in Africa. Already, requests have been made for additional discs, minis, and tags to be sent with the team traveling in August. Moreover, one of the Zambian staff members will be attending an Eagles Wings PDGA-sanctioned event in the United States in October.
In closing, Dustin Leatherman expressed gratitude to the PDGA and all contributors who made this project possible: "The Marco Polo grant was a huge part of making this trip possible. We are incredibly grateful to the PDGA and all who contributed to make this dream a reality!"
As disc golf continues to take root in Africa, it's clear that Zambia has set an exciting precedent for the sport's growth on the continent.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/eagles-wings-disc-golf-goes-zambia