How can I be a witness rather than win this?”

This has become third-year student Leah Don’s call to herself over her time competing on the Redeemer University disc golf team. But having often dwelled on mistakes and results, the shift from a performance-based mindset to a missional one has not occurred overnight, nor without hard work and determination.

The emergence of Redeemer’s disc golf team had a similar process, one that fourth-year student Jake Voskamp is familiar with. 

From Casual Club to a Team

Like Don and second-year student Kalan Schat, Voskamp had decided to attend Redeemer when he discovered there was an opportunity to get involved with an under-the-radar sport that he played.

Joining the casual disc golf club but still seeking greater structure and competitive opportunity, Voskamp, along with seasoned golfers Adam Beatty and Seth Brouwer, met with athletics and student life to share a vision to expand the club into a Royals varsity team. Through intentional planning and collaboration, that vision was realized, and within the first year the university sent athletes to tournaments in Pennsylvania and later in British Columbia.

Two years later, disc golf is now recognized as a Royals varsity club team, competing under the college disc golf umbrella at both regional and national championships, while fielding two men’s teams, one women’s team and a group of alternate athletes. As a varsity club, the student athletes are driven and inspired by the Royals’ Vertical Purpose mission, which places the highest value on Kingdom impact, influence, servanthood and excellence in worship.

Redeemer Rising in the Sport

“When I got to Redeemer, there were casual players but from an athletic standpoint people didn’t really appreciate disc golf,” Voskamp reflects. “They thought it was kind of silly and easy.”

Now, due in no small part  to the players’ commitment to growing the game, disc golf has gained respect and recognition from athletes and pickup players alike, resulting in an expanded campus course that fills up on nice days. 

But the team’s skill, ability and placements have also highlighted Redeemer at a national level. 

“We’re not just going to tournaments to throw frisbees around,” Schat explains. “We know we have some of the best players our age in the country.” 

This awareness fuels confidence, and many results showcase Redeemer athletes near the top of national ranking standings.

“Mannerisms, emotions, and how we carry ourselves help [us] stand out and shine a light. Sharing the gospel is important but if you’re kicking the ground five minutes later that doesn’t look good. You want people to recognize a difference.”

At the 2025 Collegiate Disc Golf Tournament, Schat finished third and was the highest ranking Canadian. Don, along with partner Joy Sikkema, finished 12th in doubles.

And though placing less favourably at the collegiate level thus far—with nine pro wins and a seventh-place finish (second Canadian) at the 2025 Innova Canadian Championship—Voskamp is well equipped to achieve his goal of winning nationals with the Redeemer team. 

Witness Opportunity

But more important than athletic success, the emergence of the disc golf team has provided Redeemer an additional opportunity for sport-driven leadership, and opened up a new group of people to witness to.

Like any athletic competition, this comes through identity as Christian athletes, not as athletes that are Christian. 

“We play with other schools,” Schat says. “We meet people, talk to them and show our love of God and our character through our actions.”

Voskamp echoes this point. “Mannerisms, emotions, and how we carry ourselves help [us] stand out and shine a light. Sharing the gospel is important but if you’re kicking the ground five minutes later that doesn’t look good. You want people to recognize a difference.”

For Don, how disc golf is played makes it “the best opportunity for outreach in athletics
Instead of a “big team competing against a big team,” in individual rounds athletes are placed in random groups and walk the entire course together for hours. This invites conversation—particularly when others notice the name Redeemer.

This opens the door to discussions about faith and meaningful questions that sometimes make Don “more invested in conversation than competition,” and lead to further connection following course completion. 

Purpose-Based Sport

Recognizing and leaning into the unique ministry opportunity they have, has allowed disc golf athletes to pursue excellence—yes, by competing hard, but more importantly by avoiding or overcoming performance pressure and focusing on more impactful purpose, spurred on by the Royals’ Vertical Purpose mission.

“We want to leave an impact that people will remember outside of wins and losses and utilize the opportunity on bigger stages to glorify God, not just play disc golf,” Voskamp articulates. 

Don delved deeper into the once-in-a-lifetime chance they have at every competition.

“We’re playing at the collegiate level for the only time in our lives. It is one of the best opportunities to represent our faith to athletes of the same age. We can’t take that for granted just because we’re competitive.”