Saskatoon in line for a second disc golf course

The City of Saskatoon has conditionally approved the development and installation of a second disc-golf course in Saskatoon.

Currently, Saskatoon's only disc golf course is located at Diefenbaker Park in the city's Exhibition neighbourhood. The course was installed in 2005.

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Since 2014, having noticed the increasing popularity of disc golf in the city, Saskatoon's Ultimate Disc-Sport Society (SUDS) started talking to city hall about the possibility of setting up a second course in Saskatoon.

"It's very popular to the point that it's fairly obvious we could use a second course in town," said SUDS executive director Aaron Chubb. "It's a great way to use park space that's underused and make it a safer place because there's more people at the park."

After extensive planning, walking and mapping, Donna L. Birkmaier District Park in Briarwood has been chosen for the next course.

Abrief presentation was madeto the Briarwood Community Association this week, and now the proposal is well on its way to becoming reality in the near future.

Chubb said the new course will be 18 holes and he hopes to have baskets and temporary tee pads installed this summer.

"The end goal is to have a disc golf course with proper tee pads and it would get to the point of having proper signs on each hole, but for now it's about getting the baskets into the ground," Chubb said, adding a signage and a map will be posted at the park as the course develops. Permanent tee pads will likely have to be installed in 2017.

Chubb said installation takes about a day, and it would have minimal impact on the park as a whole. The course has been conditionally approved, subject to a completed and approved design.

"We're pleased to have the space where we can put another disc golf course and we're open to making adjustments as needed," he said.

Disc golf is played like traditional golf but with flying discs instead of balls and clubs. One stroke is counted each time the disc is thrown and the goal is to play each hole in the fewest possible strokes.