Branchwood grand opening draws a crowd
Branchwood drew a crowd for its grand opening last Saturday, Sept. 29.
“It’s fun to see so many people out here,” chief operating officer Tom Judson said.
Judson said he’s pleased with the work that went into the facility.
Among the features on display were pickleball and disc golf, with players on hand to show off their respective sports.
Disc golf pro Ray Moore, sponsored by Innova Disc Golf, gave a presentation and a demonstration, fielding questions and discussing the game with attendees.
He was also involved with the construction of Branchwood’s 18-hole course, he said, and he’s very happy with how it turned out.
A top concern in construction was safety, he said, and the course is designed to provide excellent visibility along the walking trail to avoid accidents. Disc golfers always give pedestrians the right-of-way, he said.
The game is played with discs, he said, that have different weights and construction styles for different uses.
“The fun, frustrating part of the game is learning how to play it,” he said.
The sport is an affordable alternative to ball golf, he said, with discs coming in at less than standard golf equipment and with no charge for rounds.
“You can just come out and jump on the course and play,” Moore said.
Among those watching his demo was George Osburn, who tried his hand at launching a disc.
Osburn said he had to give up regular golf, but this looks like a cheaper, faster alternative that he’s interested in trying.
“I’m going to try to get involved with it,” he said.
A bit further down, Ken and Sandy Fink provided a look at pickleball.
Ken Fink explained it’s not terribly different from tennis, but players use paddles and lightweight balls. The equipment is fairly affordable, he said.
The game also uses a smaller section of the court, he said — meaning there isn’t as much running.
“Most people, once they start playing it, they love it,” Fink said.