Disc golf pro from Calgary competes in world tournament in Kansas

Calgary's Zach Newhouse has the distinction of being one of the world's best100players in afast-growing sport you mayhave never heard about.

Disc golf is his game and he's one of a few Canadians competingin the 190-member pro-division at theworld's largest disc golf tournamentGlass Blown Open. The tournament in Emporia, Kansas,attracted 1,200 entrants this year.

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Typically, a majortournament like this would have only brought in 200 to 300 people several years ago,Newhousesays.

The 32-year-old, who got involved in the sport while living in the United States,is ranked in the top five across Canada and he could be the best in Calgary, he says.

'A lot like ball golf'

You'll hear much of thesame ball golfterminology in disc golf, which is played on an outdoorcourse. But instead of using balls and clubs, round discs, much like Frisbees,are tossed.

The object is to get the disc into raised metal cages, which arethe "holes."There are putts, tees, and lyes, water hazards, dog-legs,trees and wind to contend with, too.

And, like any major golf tournament, fans follow the player for each shot.Getting a hole-in-one is the ultimate, because just like traditional golf, the object is to get into the hole in the least amount of throws.

"It's a lot like ball golf," says Newshouse. "The best golfers in the world are very accurate and very good at putting, which is probably the hardest part of the game."

For the record, hislongest putt is 150 feet.

Though more popular in the U.S., the sport is growing in Canada. There are at least four disc golf courses in Calgary, andNewhouse's disc club has around 100 members.

The sport keeps growing for several reasons.

"Most of the courses are in apark where you can enjoy nature. It's inexpensive. It doesn't cost anything to play other than buying a Frisbee.And it's a sport for all ages, regardless of your skill level. It's just a lot of fun," he says.

With files from The Calgary Eyeopener