Paul McBeth Foundation Announces Project 6.5, Bringing a New 18-Hole Disc Golf Course to Brazil

The Paul McBeth Foundation (PMF) is proud to announce Project 6.5 – Brazil, an initiative to establish a free, public 18-hole disc golf course at the University of São Paulo's Ribeirão Preto campus (USP) in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Installation is anticipated for December 2026.

Coming on the heels of Project 6.4 – Ghana, which established the first disc golf course in West Africa, PMF is turning its attention to South America to continue expanding access to the sport in underserved communities around the world.

Located approximately 300 kilometers north of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto is home to more than 700,000 residents. The project will provide a permanent disc golf course for university students, faculty, and the surrounding community, creating new opportunities to experience the sport in one of the world's most populous countries.

Despite having a population of more than 200 million people, Brazil has very limited access to disc golf, with less than a handful of courses nationwide. PMF hopes this project will help strengthen the sport's presence in the country and provide a foundation for future growth.

Unlike many communities where PMF introduces disc golf for the first time, Ribeirão Preto already has an active group of local players. Led by Oscar Hernandez (Oky) and Adriano Medola, the community has been playing on a temporary course utilizing hanging pole targets. Their continued efforts have demonstrated both an interest in the sport and the local leadership necessary to sustain it.

"One of the most encouraging things about this project is that the community is already playing disc golf," said PMF Executive Director Zachary Smith. "Oky, Adriano, and the local players have done the hard work of introducing the sport and building interest. We're excited to come alongside them and help turn their efforts into something permanent that can serve the university and surrounding community for years to come."

The project will transform the existing temporary course into a redesigned 18-hole layout featuring permanent baskets, concrete tee pads, and tee signs. The course will be free and open to the public, providing a welcoming recreational opportunity for both experienced players and those discovering disc golf for the first time.

In September 2026, PMF Board Member Jeff MacKeigan of ChainLink Disc Golf traveled to Ribeirão Preto to design the new course in collaboration with Hernandez and university representatives. The partnership brings professional course design experience together with local knowledge of the property and its existing disc golf community, helping create a layout designed for long-term enjoyment and continued growth.

Local Project Drivers Oky Hernandez and Adriano Medola will help lead the project and support its future development. Hernandez, a physical education teacher, has played a central role in establishing disc golf on campus and building relationships with university leadership. Medola has been instrumental in developing disc golf throughout Brazil, contributing to the country's existing courses through Disc Golf Brasil.

"Having a permanent disc golf course at USP will be an important step forward for our community," said Hernandez. "We have already seen the excitement that disc golf can create, even with limited equipment. With permanent baskets and a complete course, we will have the opportunity to introduce the sport to many more people and help it grow throughout Brazil."

The project is made possible through the generous support of Gold Sponsor Ledgestone, along with the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), a supporting partner. Their contributions will help provide the equipment and resources needed to establish a permanent course accessible to the broader community.

As PMF continues expanding access to disc golf throughout Latin America, Project 6.5 represents another step toward making the sport available to communities that have had few opportunities to experience it.

Installation is anticipated for December 2026, with additional project updates to be shared as preparations continue.

About the Paul McBeth Foundation

Founded in 2020 by professional disc golfer Paul McBeth, the Paul McBeth Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing sustainable disc golf experiences to underserved communities around the world. Through course installations, equipment, education, and partnerships with local leaders, the foundation works to create lasting opportunities for people to experience and enjoy disc golf.