Adam Hassett stumbled upon disc golf by accident. Bored one day a few years ago, he walked across the street from his apartment to Newton Hill, part of Elm Park in Worcester, to explore.

“It was something to do,” he said of the free disc golf course nestled in the hills off Park Avenue. Hassett, now 32, was so hooked that a year later he opened his own business dying discs. “I became invested in the sport not only as a hobby but for my business, as well,” he said.

Disc golf is played much like regular “ball golf,” but with flying discs resembling Frisbees instead of balls and clubs. The “hole” is an elevated metal basket, and players aim to sink the disc in as few shots as possible.

“It’s the same thing as ball golf but takes more effort,” said avid disc golfer Kevin McCormack. “There is a lot of strategy and mental confidence involved.”

The sport, which began in the 1970s, has exploded in recent decades. According to Hassett, disc golf is growing at an average of 10 to 20 percent annually, and there’s an increase in events ~ instead of a couple tournaments a year, there are now a couple tournaments each weekend. One of those tournaments took place at Newton Hill in July, which was hosted by Hassett’s company, Sweet Hat! Disc Supply.

Among those playing was McCormack, one of the individuals instrumental in bringing disc golf to Worcester. “We did it to bring people up to the hill,” said McCormack, vice president of the Friends of Newton Hill, of adding the disc golf course to the park.

Friends of Newton Hill was started in 2001 by a group of locals with the mission to clean up the park. “It was overgrown, littered, and homeless people were living here,” McCormack said. “Now we have runners, walkers and people who ride their bikes along the trails.”

According to McCormack, the disc golf course, which was built by volunteers and opened in 2009, has attracted additional patrons to Newton Hill. “We can have around 100 people here on a nice Saturday afternoon,” he said. That’s not counting the family of red-tailed hawks living in the park.

McCormack, who has played at disc golf courses across the country, categorizes Newton Hill as being on the challenging side. “It is rather difficult because of the hills and trees,” he said, adding that most courses are in open fields.

But despite the physical challenges, he said the course is well-marked, user-friendly, safe and a lot of fun. And because it’s in the middle of the city, you don’t really need a car ~ perfect for local college students looking for something free and fun to do. McCormack recommends picking up a starter kit (available at local disc golf stores) and hooking up with someone who plays to show you the ropes.

“The best part of disc golf is the camaraderie and the competition,” he said. “It’s the friendliest group of people from all walks of life.”

For more information, visit friendsofnewtonhill.org

By Kimberly Dunbar | Photos by Shauna Bolton, shaunasphotographybrimfield.com