Clifton Park Native Wins The 2026 Junior Disc Golf World Championship

Disc Golf is a fascinating sport to me. It holds most of the rules as standard golf, but instead of hitting a ball with a club, you're throwing a frisbee.

The goal, as with golf, is to get the disc into a basket in the shortest amount of throws possible, and the new junior champion of the sport is from the Capital Region.

Ethan Hadders

Obsession can turn into greatness, and that's exactly the case for Ethan Hadders. Hadders is from Clifton Park, NY, and is entering his senior year at Mekeel Christian Academy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hadders' grandfather invited him to join him for a round of Disc Golf to get his mind off of the boredom of lockdown.

After that, he was hooked, and began practicing relentlessly to become the best in the world. Aside from Disc Golf, Hadders plays three sports for his high school, and was named Student Body President for his senior year.

Winning the Title

In July, Hadders headed to Pittsburgh for the Junior Disc Golf World Championships. He headed into the final round of the tournament one stroke below the lead, and traded that position over the course of the front nine.

Once they hit the back nine, however, luck changed in his favor. He began to pull away, and was able to capture the championship with a three stroke victory, claiming his first title of his career.

Hadders now looks to hone his skills, and hopes to begin playing with the professionals in the near future.