Rattle them chains: New disc golf course installed in Saskatoon

By the end of Sunday disc-golfers can fling Frisbees at a new nine-hole course in Saskatoon.

This weekend, members of Gophertown Disc Golf spent Saturday auguring basket locations and pouring cement into the ground at Donna L. Birkmaier and District Park in Saskatoon's Briarwood neighbourhood.

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On Sunday afternoon the group assembled the chain baskets and stuck them into the ground for year-round disc-golf.

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.The round is scored with bogeys, pars, birdies and eagles.

For the past few years Saskatoon has seen the sport's popularity blossom at Diefenbaker Park, an 18-hole course in Saskatoon's Exhibition neighbourhood. It opened in 2005.

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.

The city is aware that the sport is growing and the numbers on the courses are getting bigger.- James Lawson, Gophertown Disc Golf president

Gophertown president James Lawson told CBC News the new installation is a pint-sized version of the original plan for an 18-hole course. This,after a summer tournament held at the park came back with safety concerns ove some of thesuggested pin locations,

"The biggest concern for 18 was close proximity to the baseball diamonds and the soccer fields running parallel with it," Lawson said. "It's too small of a park to squeeze 18 holes in and we found that out with our fundraiser tournament we hosted."

So, a couple of holes were shortened making for a more forgiving course. Lawson added the city is holding off on cement tee pads for now to see how much activity the course attracts.

Disc golf overall in Saskatoon is booming and the city is capitalizing on the trendy sport.

"The city is aware that the sport is growing and the numbers on the courses are getting bigger so the city knows it's a popular sport and people are wanting to play so they are looking for opportunities," Lawson said. "Things are looking very promising for the sport in Saskatoon."

Discs range in pricefrom $15 to $30.Once players have discs, the sport is free to play.

The baskets at the new location were paid for by SUDS.

Lawson said he's in continuing discussions with the city's parks department in locating other locations for disc golf in Saskatoon.

Gophertown Disc Golf is currently working on a websiteto create a one-stop shop forSaskatoon disc golf activities including tournaments, information on theThursday night league at Diefenbaker Park, as well as events and information from other locations across the province.

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The organization also hasa Facebookgroup called Saskatoon Disc Golf.