LYNCHBURG, Va. – Students at the University of Lynchburg will soon have an opportunity to meet and learn from some of the best disc golfers in the world. On Oct. 14, professional players associated with Uplay Disc Golf will host a disc golf clinic for one of Dr. Katie Bowman’s classes.
The event will be coordinated by dining hall manager Benuel Hostetter, who is an active member of Lynchburg’s local disc golf community. Hostetter has hosted multiple disc golf clinics in the past. After running a clinic for the Governor’s School program this past summer, he partnered with Uplay Disc Golf Director Zoe Andyke to offer the same opportunity to students during the Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship in Lynchburg.
“Uplay reached out about doing a clinic while the Pro Tour is here, and it’s really exciting because this event brings the top players in the world to our city, and we will have the chance to learn directly from them,” Hostetter said.
Holyn Handley and Ella Hansen, currently two of the top-ranked female professionals in disc golf, will be leading the clinic. Students will gain hands-on experience with the fundamentals of disc golf, focusing on putting, backhand, and forehand throws.
“It’s pretty special that our students will be learning from athletes performing at the highest level since you don’t often get to see that kind of professional experience brought right onto campus,” said Hostetter.
From this clinic, Hostetter hopes to spark an interest in the growing sport within the University of Lynchburg, which he believes will lead to the formation of a club team on campus.
“We have some of the best courses in the world nearby, and the Pro Tour is coming back to Lynchburg twice in 2026,” Hostetter noted. “It is a great opportunity to build excitement for the sport.”
Looking ahead, Hostetter aims to organize clinics that are open to all students. Dr. Katie Bowman, a professor on campus, also supports the hope to increase awareness of the rising sport of disc golf to students and residents of Lynchburg in general.
“I think it is imperative for people to experience all kinds of different lifetime activities so that they can improve and maintain their overall wellness throughout their lifespan! Disc Golf is something that can be practiced individually and played with both strangers and friends,” said Bowman.
For more information on Lynchburg events and campus recreation, visit the University of Lynchburg Website.
