A new Par 58, 18 basket course has been installed at Asessippi Beach and Campground, and is now ready for disc golfers to explore.
鈥淲e had been looking at how we might enhance the recreation opportunities at the campground for a while when we first came across disc golf and thought it might be a good fit, but we weren鈥檛 just sure how we might go about it,鈥� said site owner Rick Goraluk.
鈥淭hen as sometime happens, things just fell into place. Calvin Daniels contacted us. He has been actively promoting the sport across the region, and he agreed to help us.鈥�
Daniels is an avid disc golfer who has helped several communities and park areas start courses.
鈥淚 was introduced to the sport when the course was officially opened in Yorkton several years ago, and I quickly picked up some discs, fell in love with the sport, and the next thing I knew I was promoting the sport, and that included contacting the Goraluks,鈥� he said.
Earlier this year Daniels visited the campground.
鈥淚t was pretty obvious right from the start we could design a course,鈥� he said.
From there Goraluk got to work.
鈥淚 saw a homemade golf basket online made out of a plastic barrel and decided 鈥榟ey I can do that鈥�,鈥� he said, adding it was a lower cost way to introduce the sport. 鈥淚t took a lot more chain than I expected, I think I went back to the hardware section three times, but they weren鈥檛 really that hard to make, and the 18 baskets look pretty darned good if I may say so myself.鈥�
Daniels, who is also interim-chair of the new formed Parkland Association of Disc Golf, and his golf bud Trevor Lyons were back at the campground the last week of April.
鈥淲e were invited to design a course for the campground, and while we aren鈥檛 pros, we鈥檝e done a few designs, and were more than happy to lend a hand,鈥� said Daniels. 鈥淚t鈥檚 certainly a picturesque course, you walk beside the Shell River on one part of the course, and can then relax at a picnic table near a tee that overlooks the valley on another section of the course.鈥�
Goraluk said it was an interesting experience being involved in the design.
鈥淭hey had me going all over the property, and while I haven鈥檛 played a round yet, it sure looks like it will be a fun course,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was pretty excited by the time they left to get the tees and baskets installed.鈥�
The course covers 4,873-feet and while be accessible to golf carts for those wanting some luxury on a round.
For those unfamiliar with disc golf the game plays much like ball golf.
There are marked tees, players throw within eight-feet of the right of the tee-post, usually throwing a driver disc. As might be expected drivers, which can be thrown forehand or backhand, are designed to fly farther than other discs.
A midrange disc is thrown from the fairway. You simply throw again from behind the position where your driver landed.
Once close to the tonal target/basket you choose a putter. Throw it so it hits the target and you have completed the 鈥榟ole鈥�.
However, unlike ball golf, where clubs and course fees can both be quite expensive, disc golf is low cost for players making it ideal for family involvement, and it can be played by families with young children, to those past 55.
A basic three-disc starter set of driver/mid-range/putter, more about the specific discs later, is $30 - $40. The best discs available are about $40 each.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great outdoor exercise, but not so strenuous that it limits who can play,鈥� said Daniels. 鈥淲e see families out on local courses, and there are lots of players with greying temples like myself too.鈥�
Goraluk said he plans to host at least one 鈥榣earn-to-play鈥� evening at the course for anyone in the Roblin, Inglis and Russell area.
鈥淎nd we will be contacting area schools. We are really excited to get youth involved,鈥� he said.
To further promote the course, and sport, the Asessippi Campground Course, (www.asessippibeach.com), will host a 鈥楥anada Day Tournament鈥�.
鈥淚t seemed like an ideal day to have an event,鈥� said Goraluk.
The tournament will be part of a new PADG Tournament Series.
鈥淎 tourney series was part of the reason for creating the regional association last November,鈥� said Lyons who it the PDGA Tournament Chair.
鈥淎nd we are more than pleased the Goraluks have agreed to an event on our country鈥檚 birthday.鈥�
The winners at the Asessippi Tournament will not only earn prizes that day, but will be invited to participate in a 鈥楥hampions Challenge Tournament鈥� in October.
鈥淚t should be a great event to wrap up the PADG series,鈥� said Lyons.
鈥淎nd of course we hope someone from our Canada Day event captures the champion鈥檚 jacket,鈥� added Goraluk.
Details of the Asessippi tournament will be released soon, but people can follow all PADG by searching the Association on Facebook, or for more information they can email [email protected] or the campground at [email protected]
