Several people have already tried out Mission’s first disc golf course, which is officially opening this weekend.
The course has been up for three weeks now, said Brad Henderson, who along with Mark Klassen, has been promoting the sport in Mission for years.
“Centennial Park is well treed with rolling hills,” explained Henderson, who helped design the course. “Some holes have a low canopy to make it more challenging.”
Players begin throwing off a tee pad and mark their disc along the way until it is in the chain basket.
There are nine holes in the course that range from 200 to 400 feet. The first hole is located near the tennis courts. The course is a par 27 course, with each hole being par three. The best score recorded so far is two-under, according to Henderson, who admitted his best score is par. The first hole-in-one was achieved this past weekend by Hatzic’s Derek Field on hole six.
The sport is inexpensive and fun to play, said Henderson. The only thing needed to play is a disc.
“Discs range from 150 to 180 grams, and there are all types of companies that make them,” said Henderson. “You carry a bag and a selection of discs as you play.”
Discs have different flight characteristics. Some are designed to curve, while others are simply for distance.
Mission’s course can be completed in less than two hours.
To help increase membership for the Fraser Valley Disc Golf Club, this Saturday’s opening will include a fundraising tournament with several categories.
“I hesitate to call it a tournament because tournaments are more geared towards professionals,” explained Henderson. “I just want people to play it. I want to keep it very simple and don’t want people to be intimidated.”
There are two rounds of 18 to choose from. The first tee off is at 10:30 a.m., and the second is at 1:30 p.m. The divisions are open, advanced, amateur, novice, and kids 10 and under. There will be prizes for each category.
Entry fee is $35 per round and players must check in 30 minutes prior to the start of the competition. Players registered will received a players pack, which includes a membership to the club and a commemorative disc for the Centennial Park disc golf course.
The ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the course begins at 10 a.m.
Henderson, who began playing the sport in the 1983, estimates there are more than 30 active disc golfers in Mission, and hopes there will be more when the new course opens.
Centennial Park is located at 11 Avenue and Taulbut Street.
For more information, or to register, e-mail intheairsports@msn.com.
