Emporia Reigns as Disc Golf Capital of the World with Champions Landing Improvements

Emporia, Kansas, is a great place to live for anyone who enjoys gravel biking and other outdoor recreational activities. However, it is a leading spot for disc golf, with more than a dozen courses to try and tournaments held throughout the year.

“Emporia has hosted some of the largest disc golf events in the world,” says Jeremy Rusco, Owner of Champions Landing and Founder of Dynamic Discs. “It has been the home or the host site of various World Championships since the first Amateur World Championship in 2013. Over the next decade, Emporia also hosted the Professional World Championships in 2016 and 2022, the Junior World Championships in 2018, 2019, and 2021, and the Masters World Championship in 2024. The Dynamic Discs  Open brings in some of the biggest names in disc golf.”

You don’t have to compete professionally in disc golf to enjoy this sport and the culture it creates in Emporia. Learn more about the local disc golf footprint and why it’s so beneficial.  

Rusco Started Dynamic Discs as a College Hobby eBay Business

Rusco is passionate about disc golf and has built a career around it for more than 20 years. He enjoyed playing it in college and appreciated how it helped him make friends. Eventually, he bought 100 discs from a major brand to resell.

“I had no intention of making it more than a college hobby and a way to get equipment cheaper,” he says. “But the business rapidly grew and evolved into one of the largest Disc Golf brands in the world.”

Eventually, Dynamic Discs would have 75 employees and sponsor 100 disc golfers worldwide.

As Dynamic Discs grew, so did the sport in Emporia. There were already three full disc golf courses in the area when Rusco started playing. As more disc golf events came to town, more courses were added. Today, there are fifteen disc golf courses in Emporia, between nine-hole, 18-hole, and semi-private options.
Rusco is Investing Heavily in Champions Landing

Rusco also works full-time at Champions Landing (formerly the Emporia Country Club) and is renovating the 114-year-old campus. His goal is to make it into a place where everyone is welcome, whether they are a resident of Emporia or a visitor on vacation.  

“We’re evolving Champions Landing into a disc golf destination,” says Rusco. When he first started, there was only one championship-level course at the country club, and players had to share space with traditional golfers. Now, there is a beginner-friendly nine-hole course, an intermediate 18-hole course, and they are adding an advanced level option. There will be four total courses on the property, including a Championship course that is one of the most challenging in the world.

Guests can also enjoy pickleball, concrete walking paths, fishing, and other activities. They will be able to stop in the coffee shop, bar and grill, and eventual brewery.  

Disc Golf Has a Positive Impact on Emporia Residents

Champions Landing will improve residents' quality of life. Overhauling the country club will create a gathering place and increase recreational opportunities in the region. Whether they are completing a round of disc golf or participating in an amateur pickleball league, residents can go to Champions Landing.

However, being named the Top Disc Golf Small Town in the United States has other economic benefits. The tournaments bring tourism dollars to Emporia, which support small businesses and contribute to the overall tax base. These events can also grow the population of Emporia by introducing this wonderful community to visitors.  

“We are the best place for disc golf because of the Emporians who welcome the players here every year,” says Rusco. “You don’t get that when you go to a big metropolitan area where you’re just a number. People in Emporia spot the disc golfers, make them feel at home, and appreciate the tourism dollars that come from them.”

What started as a college hobby has grown into a major economic driver for Emporia. Disc golf makes Emporia a fun place to be while supporting local hospitality and tourism jobs. 

Learn More About Life in Emporia

Emporia is a wonderful place to live with strong neighborhood connections, good schools, and opportunities to enjoy your favorite hobbies or activities. Learn more about this community and why it’s a great place to grow up or raise a family of your own.

The Emporia Regional Development Association (RDA) is committed to attracting new businesses to the area and growing existing industries while supporting the employees who call Lyon County home. This includes making Emporia a desirable place to recreate and relax outside the office.