Members of Ferris State University’s Disc Golf registered student organization were
all smiles after various successes in the Great Lakes Collegiate Open, including firsts
in men’s “A” and “B” team results.
Ferris State University’s Disc Golf Team, a registered student organization, achieved broad-based team and individual success in late October at the Great Lakes Collegiate Open hosted by Great Lakes Disc in Holt, Michigan, southwest of Lansing.
Team Captain Benji Zorn, of Grand Rapids, a sophomore in Business Administration, said the “A” team of Zorn, Bryan Birdsell, of Twin Lake; Evan McConnell, of Hudsonville; and Caleb Zuverink. of Zeeland, finished as mixed amateur champions with a 30-under-par total. That finish bested a team from Illinois State University by two points. Ferris’ “B” team of Ethan Boswell, of Holmen, Wisconsin; Derek Franciosi, of Ogemaw Heights; Sam Hulet, of Sparta; and Brian Lafata, of Free Soil, came in totaled a 26-under-par score for fourth overall. That score was tops in their grouping. A Ferris “C” team of Mitchel Snarski, from Traverse City; Sam Perry, of Traverse City; and Owen Wolfsen and Aden Cummins, both of Fremont, tied Illinois State University in their grouping at 9-under-par and finished the open second after playoff competition.
“Our teams have several new players, but we have been able to build on the leadership in place and trust in our program, which helps in having confidence during competition,” Zorn said. “Our women’s team of Mikayla Ealy, of Gaylord, and Delaney Beckett, of Macomb, finished third and had a great experience.”
Zorn medaled for the Great Lakes Collegiate Open, topping a field of 144 competitors, which raised his standing to third place nationally. He spoke instead about where the disc golf program’s standing after this event as they begin off-season training.
“We are now seventh nationally, with our success in October bringing us up 25 places in the rankings,” Zorn said. “Our showing in the recent open is how we made that significant jump. Now we plan to make great use of a Student Recreation Center classroom and the all-purpose gym in the Center for Athletics Performance to continue developing our formwork and ability in putting.”
Zorn said having facilities to attempt throws of 150 yards would be optimal for their training, but they expect to be ready for upcoming events in the academic year.
“The Bluegrass Regional in Kentucky next February is being considered, and we will participate in a tournament at Liberty University over spring break,” Zorn said. “The College Disc Golf National Championship moves to Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, next April. There, we will see great teams from community colleges to those from the nation’s major universities. Our approach is to focus on good camaraderie and flow while on the course.”
Ferris’ men’s disc golf teams earned national championships in 2015, 2017, and 2019, while a women’s team was tops in the country in 2021.