Seniors Unite! Disc Golfers 50+ Have New Opportunity for Competition

The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) is on a mission to provide competitive sporting venues for athletes aged 50 and above. This organization offers a wide range of sports, including track and field, swimming, basketball, archery, and golf, among others. Now, they're looking to add disc golf to their roster – but with a condition: the sport needs to prove it can attract more players.

For disc golfers aged 50+, finding opportunities to compete against peers in their own division can be a challenge. However, the National Senior Games offer a unique chance for seniors to unite and test their skills. The games are held every odd-numbered year at locations that rotate across the United States. To participate, athletes must have qualified by competing in one of the State Senior Games the previous year.

Unfortunately, disc golf has been denied full status as a sport in the National Senior Games due to low turnout. In 2016, only 14 states offered disc golf in their State Senior Games, and most events had fewer than 10 players. This lackluster participation led to disc golf being dropped from the 2017 National Senior Games.

However, there's still hope for seniors who love disc golf. By increasing the number of states that offer disc golf in their State Senior Games and attracting more participants, the sport can regain its place as a full-fledged event. This is where you come in – if you're passionate about disc golf and want to see it thrive among senior athletes.

Competing in the National Senior Games isn't without its differences from PDGA events. Entry fees are higher, with the National Senior Games entry costing over $100 per event. Players' packs are typically limited to a tee shirt, and payouts only go up to three places. Additionally, pre-registration is required for all State Senior Games and may close several months before the event.

Despite these differences, senior disc golfers get more value from participating in the National Senior Games. To make the experience even more enjoyable, some events offer parallel PDGA-sanctioned competitions with longer registration periods, players' packs, and standard payouts.

If you're interested in learning more about the National Senior Games or getting involved with disc golf in your state, visit nsga.com or contact the PDGA Senior Committee. By working together, we can make disc golf a staple among senior athletes – it's time to unite and take action!

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/help-get-disc-golf-national-senior-games