CHARLOTTE, NC-- What started out as something fun to do on the weekends has become a serious sport to Mark Chaney. "I'm an amateur, still improving my game but I've got a long way to go, but as you see yourself improve that's inspiration," said Chaney.

Motivation he hopes to cash in on come July when the World Championship Disc Golf Tournament comes to Charlotte. "It is a big deal, it'll be the biggest assembly of pro and amateur disc golfers that you can put together," said Jim Banbury.

More than a thousand players from as many as ten countries are expected to compete for $100 thousand dollars in cash prizes. "It's enough to pay rent now instead of just going out an buying new shoes," said Chaney.

With 15 courses in Mecklenburg County and construction almost complete on one more, the Charlotte area is becoming a destination for disc golfers around the country. Peter Lunstead moved here from Rochester, New York for the challenging courses and year long play. "I loved the Rochester area, but I get down here and I realized it's a completely, it's a meca down here," said Lunstead.

"It's just great fun, anyone that can throw a Frisbee can do it, you don't have to be super athletic and can have a great time doing it," said Banbury. It's cheap too, there are no charges for courses in the Charlotte area and starter Frisbees will cost you around $10 or 20 bucks.