Spreading Disc Golf Fever Across the Globe

In 2011, the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) launched the Marco Polo Program to support the growth of disc golf worldwide. The program aims to introduce the sport to new countries and strengthen its presence in existing ones by providing funding for innovative international projects. One such project was led by Carlos Rio, a passionate disc golfer from Spain.

Rio's vision was to spread disc golf fever across his homeland. With the support of the Marco Polo Program, he traveled around northern Spain in 2012 to identify the perfect location for a new course. After convincing local authorities to invest in the project, Rio and his team built the Oviedo Disc Golf Course, which became the first of its kind in Spain.

What's remarkable about this story is that the Oviedo Disc Golf Club was formed before a single basket was installed on the course. The club members recognized the need to engage with local communities and developed a strategy to teach disc golf to physical education teachers in nearby schools. This grassroots approach paid off, as the sport quickly gained popularity among school kids, who in turn introduced their families to disc golf.

Thanks to the Marco Polo Program's funding, schools received a total of 255 discs, while the Oviedo club was equipped with 60 discs and two portable baskets. The program's success was evident when five new courses were constructed in Spain in 2013, and Carlos continued his mission to spread the word about disc golf.

Today, disc golf is thriving in various regions across Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Burgos, Malaga, and more. In September of this year, Carlos acted as Tournament Director for the first-ever PDGA-sanctioned event in Spain, which received widespread media attention and praise from participants. The one-year anniversary of the Oviedo Disc Golf Course was celebrated on October 22.

The Marco Polo Program has been instrumental in spreading disc golf fever across the globe. If you're interested in pursuing a grant to grow the sport in your country, visit the PDGA International page for more information.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/disc-golf-a-success-in-spain