Council tees off for opening of first Redlands Coast disc golf course

Plastic discs will be flying in Alexandra Hills on Sunday 14 March with the official opening of the first Redlands Coast disc golf course.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the construction of the nine-hole course at Valantine Park was part of Council’s commitment to add exciting and active elements to the city’s suburban open spaces.

“Disc golf, which is sometimes referred to as frisbee golf, is played much like traditional golf with tees and fairways, and Valantine Park’s trees and terrain make it the ideal location for a course,” Cr Williams said.

“The community park is big enough to accommodate a range of recreational activities, and recently-installed public amenities allow visitors to stay and play longer.

“As disc golf is free to play and is designed to be enjoyed by all ages, it’s an exciting new addition to this popular park and offers an extra incentive for families and visitors to get out and enjoy our naturally wonderful open spaces.”

Division 8 Councillor Tracey Huges said she was thrilled Valantine Park had been chosen for the city’s first disc golf course, and funded the project through her divisional Community Infrastructure Program.

“I saw a mini version at a school fete and it was so much fun,” Cr Huges said.

“In disc golf, a disc replaces the ball, a person’s arm replaces the club and a target, such as a metal basket, replaces the hole.

“The aim is to complete each hole in the fewest number of throws.

“There will be plenty of challenges and, no doubt, plenty of excitement and frustrations just like in traditional golf – whether it’s making a long basket straight off the tee or hitting a tree halfway down the fairway.

“A course map will be installed to guide players, so you just need to bring your discs.”

Redlands Coast disc golf fan Dale McFarlane said he was pleased to have a course just a few minutes’ drive from home.

“Prior to this course being approved by Council, Redlands Coast players were required to drive upwards of 30 minutes in order to play, so you can only imagine the excitement surrounding the news of this new course,” Mr McFarlane said.

“Although disc golf is new and relatively unknown in Redlands Coast, the recent success of other new courses nearby shows that it is only a matter of time until plenty of people will be hooked on the game.”

Council will monitor the success of the Valantine Park disc golf course to determine whether the concept might suit other Redlands Coast parks.

The course includes nine tee areas and baskets traversing the length of the park. The first tee and basket, along with a ‘how to play’ sign, are located in the southern end near Mackay Court.

EVENT DETAILS:

What: Official opening of Disc Golf Course

Where: Mackay Court entrance of Valantine Park, Alexandra Hills

When: 3-5pm on Sunday 14 March 2021

Activities: Exhibition game will tee off at 3.30pm, which visitors can join, followed by a BBQ. There will be 50 Council-sponsored discs for people to borrow. Specialist discs will also be available to purchase from Redlands Coast Disc Golf Club; for information on the club email [email protected] or follow them on Facebook.