Disc Golfer's Business Evolves Into New Berkeley Store

BERKELEY, NJ — Something strange happened during the pandemic: the popularity of disc golf exploded, and so did the disc golf industry. Now Berkeley has a store completely dedicated to the sport: Bria Disc Golf.

The store opens Friday at 769 Atlantic City Blvd., Unit 10. Bill Ganley, the founder of the company, promises it's New Jersey's only disc golf-specific retail experience.

Disc golf is like traditional golf, but players use a flying disc instead of a ball and a club. Maybe you've never played, but perhaps you've seen the targets in some parks. Here's what the sport looks like in action:

Ganley got Bria Disc Golf started in 2018 by selling products at tournaments. Then he created an online business. His three-year plan involved opening a brick and mortar store for the sport.

He almost did so a few months ago. Then the coronavirus lockdowns started.

"I was ready to open up the store," Ganley said. "The week everything shut down, I had planned on opening the week before. I’ve been sitting and waiting for the opportunity to get started, which will happen on Friday."

Now that the state has allowed limited indoor retail shopping, Bria Disc Golf is opening. All customers must wear face masks, and only three customers are allowed in at once.

Ganley began playing disc golf in 2013. His brother picked up the sport in New Hampshire, at a ski slope that had a disc golf course in the summer. At the time, Ganley golfed — the other kind of golf — every weekend. When his brother recommended disc golf, Ganley thought he was crazy.

Then they played 18 holes at the Ocean County Disc Golf Course in Lakewood, and his interest grew from there.

"You throw and you don’t know what you’re doing, but you get a little bit better, a little bit better," Ganley said.

Back then, the Ocean Township resident only had two courses within a half hour of his home. Then a couple nine-hole courses popped up within 15 minutes of his home. Now they're 18-hole courses, and Ganley says about six courses are within his vicinity.

Ganley played a lot of tournaments. Each time, new groups of people arrived who wanted to try the sport. It's easy to pick up. A disc costs as little as a couple dollars, he says. Then you just have to go to a park with a course. Not to mention, the sports has an inclusive environment, according to Ganley.

During the pandemic, disc golf's popularity spiked, Ganley says. Although many people lost their jobs during the pandemic, some picked up the sport as a cheap activity and an excuse to get outside.

"The vendors I work with all saw the same thing, that sales went through the roof," Ganley said. "Parks that were open were seeing record amounts of foot traffic. It was a crazy phenomenon for a bit."

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