New disc golf course opens in Collar City
TROY, N.Y. » The city of Troy has a new game in town. It’s called disc golf. The game has gained popularity in recent years around Capital Region golf courses. One of the bigger tournaments is the annual Battle of Saratoga tournament at Hyzer Creek.
Its origins believed to date back to 1926, the game is cheaper and easier than hitting a small white ball off a tee, and it allows people to get outside and have some fun.
“[It’s] a game that’s got a low entry point. You can buy a couple of discs and be out here playing the same day. It’s a fun sport for everybody, great terrain up here in Prospect Park, we’d love to see you come up here,” Troy Mayor Patrick Madden remarked on the sport.
“I’d like to thank the city of Troy and Mayor Madden for letting us put in this disc golf course. Please come out and give it a try,” Kenji Cline, President of DisCap, remarked.
“If you’re new to the sport, please reach out to us at discap. net, there’s contact information, we’re happy to teach the game to anyone who wants to learn. It’s available to all ages from three to 90-years- old, low cost, and a great recreational activity,” Cline noted.
Similar to regular golf, players begin on a tee pad, tossing the disc as far and accurately as possible. The first disc or driver is normally larger and heavier. Players can also use mid-range discs additionally. When nearing the “hole” (a metal basket attached to a steel pole) players use different discs as putters.
The courses are laid out like a normal golf course, save for holes that are measured in feet. Each hole has a par as well with different feet determining the par for each hole.
Scores are tallied by the number of attempts to throw a disc in a chained basket on each hole.
“It’s an additional activity that people can do in a socially distancing manner now,” Troy Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development, Steve Strichman commented.
“We’re really excited about in the not too distant future having an additional nine holes at this course as well. I’ve already seen people out here golfing here and really excited about the fact that they have this right here in their own backyard,” Strichman added.