An expansion to the disc golfing opportunities in Yorkton is planned for the early spring.
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen a steady growth in interest in the sport in the city and region,鈥� said acting Parkland Association of Disc Golf president Calvin Daniels. 鈥淚n the city the nine basket course at Patrick Park has served that growth well, especially with the addition of alternate tees a few years ago to allow 18-basket play.鈥�
However, Daniels said there was always a desire to see nine more baskets added to create a fully functional 18-basket course.
While the PADG represents more than 20 courses in the region, and therefore couldn鈥檛 spearhead any initiative to expand the Yorkton course, Daniels said the organization was supportive when a small group of Yorkton disc golfers began planning for an expansion.
鈥淲e met with the City first with an idea to add nine baskets in and around the water tower and then across the street at Rodney Ridge,鈥� explained Trevor Lyons. 鈥淭he location was close enough for golfers to walk from one nine to the other, and the elevation changes of Rodney Ridge were a new challenge for golfers.鈥�
The City said yes, and work began in earnest last fall.
鈥淭he City was on-side with the location, but the onus was on local disc golfers to raise the money for the baskets,鈥� said Lyons.
Avid disc golfer Quinn Haider stepped up to lead the search for donations.
鈥淎s our little group expected local businesses and service clubs were quick to step up once asked,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e found nine basket sponsors quite quickly.鈥�
With donations in, the baskets were ordered and are now in storage locally, awaiting spring to be installed.
But which business would get their name on which tee placard on the new nine?
Again Haider stepped forward having a Grade 7 math class he teaches at St. Paul鈥檚 School help him out.
鈥淲e had to cover probabilities in class, and using a draw system to determine who would sponsor which basket was a great hands-on way to show students what I was talking about,鈥� he said.
To add a little bit to the in-class draw, another avid disc golf Aaron Kienle was in class Thursday helping Haider and his students do the draw.
鈥淚t was great to see the students involved, and hopefully it will get a few of them out at the course this summer too,鈥� offered Kienle.
As for the expanded course, Lyons said he鈥檚 excited to see it in play.
鈥淭here will be shots up hill and down, not to mention the longest tee to basket throw. It will offer something quite different from the existing nine,鈥� he said.
Daniels said he鈥檚 just proud of the growth of the sport.
鈥淲e just keep seeing growth regionally. Last year we saw new basket courses installed in Churchbridge and Sun Hills Resort, and Asessippi Beach and Campground and Sandy Beach on Good Spirit Lake upgraded their courses from tonals to baskets. The new nine in the city is just another big step for the sport,鈥� he said.
