Disc Golf Wanaka Growing Popularity
14 Aug 2020
Disc golf is a flying disc sport in which players throw a disc at a target; it is played using rules similar to golf and typically played on a course with 9 or 18 holes. Disc golf retains all the mental and physical challenges of ball golf, but dispenses with the club, the expense, and to a large degree, the ecological impact.
Disc golf participation in Wanaka continues to grow rapidly. The growing lakeside township has two dedicated courses. An 18-basket course at Lismore Park and a smaller 9-basket course at Eely Point.
Otago Community Trust was pleased to award a $4,000 grant to Disc Golf Wanaka at the start of this year to support the upgrade of tee pads and signage at both Lismore Park as well as Eely Point.
Disc Golf Wanaka have reported back that the larger tee pads now in place are significantly safer for players, they have been built with the future of the sport in mind with a lifespan of lasting at least 20 years. The tee signs have also improved safety and provide first time players the information they need to navigate the course.
It is wonderful to note the vision for Disc Golf Wanaka is to continue the 'grow the sport' campaign into 2021. Typically, the club's busiest part of the season is winter, coinciding with the New Zealand Winter Games. However, anecdotally the club firmly believe that despite the decrease in international players there has been a large increase in local player numbers since the COVID-19 lockdown.
Disc Golf Wanaka have permission pending for their next course in Albert Town. With the Lake Hawea course nearly complete and the course in Luggate awaiting consent, they hope to have a course in each settlement in the Upper Clutha basin.
To learn more about the sport and what is on offer in Wanaka visit the Disc Gold Wanaka website