ARLINGTON – Warning: Expect flying saucer sightings to increase in Twin Rivers County Park next year, possibly in the spring.
That’s when Arlington city officials hope to open a new 18-hole disc golf course at the county park, which the city manages.
The new course would add a fifth option for disc golfers in the Snohomish County area. Along with one in Lake Stevens, there’s a nine-hole course with shorter fairways in Snohomish. Mountlake Terrace also has two courses.
The idea was originally floated by Virginia Hatch, a member of Arlington’s Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission. Craig Webster, a disc golf fan who lives near Tulalip, heard about it through a mutual friend and offered to help.
Soon, Webster was asked to help design the course.
“They gave me an aerial picture of the property,” Webster said. “I started walking through the trails to see where we could put fairways.”
| Discs weigh between 150 and 180 grams, denser yet smaller than a large Frisbee, and cost between $8 and $20 new at sporting goods or hardware stores.
Other local courses: Lake Stevens has 18 holes at Catherine Creek Park, 13000 20th St. NE near Pilchuck Elementary School. Host club is the Lake Stevens Mulligan Disc Golf Club. See links at www.dolf.com. Mountlake Terrace has two courses: 18 holes at Terrace Creek Park at 48th Street and 244th Street SW and nine holes at Bicentennial Park, 222nd Street SW and 39th Avenue W. For more information on the Terrace Creek course, go to www.4nets.com/terrace. Snohomish has a small pitch and putt nine-hole course at Ferguson Park, 1330 Ferguson Park Road. For a scorecard and map, go to www.ci.snohomish.wa.us/ParkFerguson.htm. For more information about how to help with Arlingtons course, call 360-403-3448. For rules, tournaments and a nationwide course directory, visit www.pdga.com. |
With the help of Bill Blake, the city’s natural resources coordinator, plans for the course took shape. The layout is mostly in the second-growth forest along the South Fork Stillaguamish River, but it won’t require trees to be cut.
The fairways will follow already-established paths in Twin Rivers County Park. Blackberry bushes will be removed to open some space. The trees will be incorporated into the course, some as doglegs, others as disc-blocking hazards to be avoided.
“Trees are our sand traps,” Webster said. “They’re our water obstacles.”
Webster said he likes disc golf because it appeals to a range of people, from pros to families.
Much like golf, the disc version of the sport can become a maddening addiction.
Pro golfers (yes, there’s a Professional Disc Golf Association) carry large bags with several or even dozens of discs.
Even Webster, who is more of an avid amateur, carries seven.
“I have three discs for my drivers, three discs for my approach and one for my putter,” Webster said.
Drivers are denser and flatter for longer flights, while other discs have deeper cups to hold air for shorter, more deliberate throws.
They’re all sturdier than the Wham-O Frisbees of the beach.
“These discs will hit something and not split,” Webster said.
Disc golfers expand on golf lingo, with throws such as “U.D.” (upside down), “heisers” (curves up right, drops left) and “anheisers” (curves up left, drops right),Webster said.
Webster added, though, that many people play just for fun, without the competitive edge.
For him, getting to design Arlington’s new course has been a dream. He figures he has volunteered between 60 and 80 hours so far.
Disc golf fans who want to pitch in will get the chance. The city is asking people to sponsor the holes. Each hole’s basket costs about $300, said Sarah Hegge, the city’s recreation coordinator.
The city’s parks commission probably will sponsor one hole, as will the City Council, Hegge said. Webster said he plans to sponsor a hole, too.
If people want to contribute less than the full amount to pay for a hole, they can, Hegge said. The city will need help clearing blackberries and setting up the course, as well.
Relying on volunteers and donations should keep costs to the city to a minimum, because there’s not a lot to install besides the tees and the baskets, Hegge said.
Reporter Scott Morris: 425-339-3292 or smorris@ heraldnet.com.
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