Sports
BPRD hosts first Disc Golf Scramble
Tuesday, 19 March 2013 by Matthew Girard
The alternative sport of disc golf might soon be coming to Belton.
Last Saturday more than 50 disc golf enthusiasts, young and old, braved the chilly temperatures and windy conditions at Heritage Park to not only participate in the City of Belton's first Disc Golf Scramble, but to also gauge the sport's popularity in the community.
The scramble featured a 9-hole course along the Leon River with mobile holes.
BPRD Recreation Coordinator Matt Bates said Saturday's turnout was a positive sign that Belton could have a permanent course.
"It was a little chilly to start off with, but it was a great day," Bates said. "We know there is interest because it's in our strategic master plan that folks in Belton would like a disc golf course. The turnout today reaffirmed that and it's something we can pass on to those who make those decisions."
A majority of the players were members of the Temple Disc Golf Association and came out to support a permanent course.
"I figured I would come out and check out the new course. It would be nice if they would put one up because it's close to my house," said Apollo Martinez, who played in the Pro Division of the scramble. "A lot of people come from Waco and Austin just to play in Temple with us and I think if we would have one in Belton, we would draw a big crowd."
Players bundled up to endure the chilly temperatures on Saturday during the Parks and Recs first Disc Golf Scramble. Casey Van Schoik brought her son Ashton and family friend Alex to the scramble to get out and get some exercise and to support the BPRD.
"We like to participate in anything that the community offers and we love things that involve family," Van Schoik said. "Anything the Parks and Rec department does, we really try to support it because our community really needs that."
The participants were split into four-member groups with two Pro Division players being teamed with two Rec Division players.
"There were all kinds of people there to learn from, especially the professional people that have been doing this a long time," Van Schoik said.
Bates said Heritage Park was a great location for a permanent disc golf course, but the City will look for other locations as well.
"Heritage Park has a lot of technical areas with elevation changes, playing along the Leon River and a lot of trees to maneuver around," Bates said. "This is a definite possibility for a destination, but there are other places that we will look at."
For more information about Disc Golf, contact the Belton Parks and Rec Department at (254) 933-5861 or visit www.beltontexas.gov/parksandrec.
