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Disc golf course set to open Saturday at North Putnam
ROACHDALE — Given its blessing by the North Putnam School Board in January, a new disc golf course is officially opening at the North Putnam Middle/High School campus.
The course’s opening will be marked by an inaugural tournament on Saturday, to which enthusiasts and the community at large are being invited to participate in.
In an open letter to parents and supporters at North Putnam, teachers Vince Brooks and Curtis Lawrence appealed that having the course will have a positive impact on the community.
“Disc golf is a growing sport that combines elements of traditional golf with Frisbee throwing, and it is a great way for our community members to engage our beautiful property with a physical activity,” the letter stated.
Disc golf is played like regular golf, except players throw a disc. The object being to complete each hole in the fewest throws, discs are thrown from a tee area to an elevated metal basket, each consecutive throw being made from where previous ones landed.
“It’s been a little bit of a whirlwind,” Brooks told the Banner Graphic about having the idea for a course finally come to fruition.
The course has been built on areas of the school’s property which Brooks and Lawrence advocated were being underutilized. It will have 22 holes, with only one not finished at this time.
Brooks noted that nearly all of the holes have been sponsored. This is notwithstanding the time that volunteers have given toward the initiative.
Being regular platers themselves, the project was kind of a passion one for Brooks and Lawrence. After bringing it up with Principal Jason Chew, they designed the course and brought the proposal to the school board.
“Most of all, I’m extremely grateful for the generosity of quite a few businesses and individuals,” Brooks said about support for the project. “It could not have come together and would not have been possible without their help.”
Part of the impetus is for the course to be a community gathering place. As such, it will be available as such after school hours and on weekends. A new disc golf club for both the high school and middle school now meets every Wednesday after school.
Brooks noted that the course has been visited by serious enthusiasts, who will travel across the state to different ones. Not including casual golfers, he said 70 rounds have already been played, per data logged on a specialized app.
“It’s pretty exciting to see that we’re already getting lots of travelers coming in from all over the place,” Brooks said, adding that reviews on the app have been positive about its potential.
Saturday’s tournament, dubbed the Cougar Open, will get under way at 10:45 a.m., with the opening ceremony preceding at 10:30 a.m. Free clinics and a pro shop will also be offered beginning at 9 a.m.
Rounds will occur with trophies being awarded to the first-place golfer in youth, novice, intermediate, advanced and pro divisions. Fees are $15 for the first three, with regular discs provided, and $25 for advanced and pro with premium discs provided.
Checks to support the new club and the course’s upkeep may be made out to North Putnam High School, with “Disc Golf Course” written in the memo.