Disc golf center tackles new projects

Though completion of a third course is being pushed off until cooler weather arrives this fall, officials at the International Disc Golf Center at Wildwood Park say they have had plenty of projects keeping them busy since opening a few months ago.

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The departure of course superintendent Matt Gillis and the hot summer months pushed back completion of a third course and skills range, said Brian Graham, the executive director of the Professional Disc Golf Association. The PDGA is still looking for a new superintendent in hopes of completing the course and range this fall.

Graham, whose organization manages the center, said tour officials are busy preparing for the sport's world amateur and professional championships in Wisconsin, and planning the first major championship for Columbia County in the spring.

"We are in the early planning (stages) for a major championship for our sport which will be here" at the disc golf center, Graham said. "We look for it to bring a lot of exposure to the facility and a lot of people to the area."

Graham said he expects the planned PDGA Championship will bring 200 amateurs and 200 professional players to Wildwood Park during the course of two weekends.

But the center is already popular.

"People are coming from all over the country to play on their vacation, or just passing through the area are stopping to play the courses," he said.

For those looking to learn more about the sport, the PDGA also is creating an archive, including disc golf magazines, course directories and video and television footage. Graham said tour officials hope to expand educational efforts about the sport into Columbia County schools and to play host to summer camps and clinics with tour professionals.

The potential is out there, he said, to start a high school disc golf sports program.

"We're excited about the future," he said. "The sport is growing by leaps and bounds."