USM, DGAP Launch “Flight Forward” Partnership to Elevate Disc Golf in Mindanao

The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) has officially become the first university in Mindanao to establish a dedicated partnership for disc golf development through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Disc Golf Association of the Philippines (DGAP), on January 22, 2025, at Office of the President, Admin Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.

USM President Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel and DGAP National Director Maria Luisa N. Bartolome, signed the MOA titled “Flight Forward: A Partnership for Disc Golf Development and Professional Advancement,” to formalize the collaboration in promoting disc golf as both a recreational and competitive sport.

Under the agreement, USM will develop a disc golf course within or near the campus, providing students, faculty, and the community access to professional-level facilities. The partnership also includes workshops, clinics, and certification programs aligned with DGAP and Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) standards, enabling participants to become trained coaches, officials, and advocates for the sport.

In addition, “Flight Forward” will support research in sports development, kinesiology, and community engagement, while also positioning USM to host local, regional, and national disc golf tournaments. Dr. Pimentel emphasized that the partnership exemplifies USM’s commitment to holistic student development, combining physical activity, professional growth, and community involvement. DGAP’s Bartolome added that the collaboration represents a historic milestone for disc golf in Mindanao, advancing both participation and competitive opportunities in the region.

The project was made possible through the efforts of Che Abdulshaik F. Plang, grandson of USM’s founder and current Mindanao Coordinator for Disc Golf, whose vision and initiative were instrumental in bringing the partnership to fruition.

With USM leading the way in Mindanao, “Flight Forward” promises to cultivate disc golf talent, promote active lifestyles, and elevate the sport’s presence across the Philippines.

Disc golf is an outdoor sport similar to traditional golf, but instead of hitting a ball with clubs, players throw a flying disc (Frisbee-type disc) toward a metal basket target. Each throw counts as a stroke, and the goal is to complete each hole in the fewest throws possible. Courses are usually set in parks or open spaces with trees, hills, and obstacles, making the game both physically active and mentally challenging while being affordable and easy for beginners to learn.