WEXFORD — The Year of the Flying Disc has arrived.

Moraine State Park, Slippery Rock University, Knob Hill Community Park and Deer Lakes Park will host the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) World Championship Tournament Aug. 1-8 of this year.

The top 400 point-getters from the 2014 season — points accumulated through participation and performance in PDGA tournaments throughout the year — will be competing in the 2015 world championships.

“There’s a lot of information to compile,” J. Gary Dropcho, co-director of the tournament, said. “We’ll get the official registration going in early May and the field will be set in late July.”

Preparations have been ongoing. Dropcho said improvements are being made to all of the courses.

“Concrete tee pads are being put in on all of the holes at Moraine, along with clear signs,” he said. “Brush is being cut from the courses ... They’re getting a fresh haircut, you might say.

“We’re also working on providing better sight lines for video purposes and spectators.”

Dropcho anticipates plenty of interested onlookers making their way to the tournament.

“This event has been growing in that regard,” he said. “At the last world championship in Portland (Oregon), galleries were five or six people deep at the tees and along the fairways.”

The PDGA has been growing at an alarming rate itself.

Mike Downes, events manager for the PDGA, which is based in Georgia, said its membership has doubled since 2006.

“We’re at about 70,000 members now and there are 2,100 PDGA tournaments held annually around the world,” Downes said. “That covers about 34 countries.”

He added that landing a world tournament isn’t easy.

“The quality courses have to be there, naturally, and they have to be spread out enough to accommodate all of the activities,” Downes said. “Ample parking and hotel space need to be there as well.”

The Butler County area officially landed this event two years ago. According to studies, this tournament may bring up to $1.5 million in revenue to the area.

Besides the actual competition, the PDGA will be offering clinics, demonstrations and lessons in disc golf during the week.

A “fly” market will also be set up, with vendors offering rare, collectible flying discs along with basic equipment used in the sport.

“It’s a great venue to promote flying disc golf,” Downes said of the world championship event. “It’s rare to find anyone who hasn’t tossed a frisbee at some time in his or her life.

“Its a fun game that anybody can do — and the sport can last a lifetime.”

The PDGA World Championships feature age divisions, including a 60-over seniors division and a 70-over legends division.

The top four in each age division will compete in the championship finals Aug. 8 that will be hosted by SRU. Six rounds of disc golf will be played during the week, leading up to the finals.

Numerous volunteers will be needed to work the tournament.

“We’re looking to form a welcoming committee, we need people to work the registration, spotters on the course ... There will be plenty to do,” Dropcho said.

Anyone interested in volunteering may call 724-933-6969.