PORT ANGELES — Disc golfers threw a party Saturday to celebrate the opening of the first nine holes of a course at Lincoln Park.
They also taught a few people how to play the game.
“We’re letting them know about disc golf, letting them try it for free,” with discs available without charge, said Ryan Klock of the Port Angeles Disc Golf Association.
The course always is available for free. It is open from dawn to dusk, open all hours that the park in the 1500 block of West Lauridsen Boulevard is open.
It’s the discs that cost usually money — anywhere from $8 to $20.
And it was free discs that association members provided Saturday in an effort to generate enthusiasm for the game.
Players throw discs into baskets, which are attached to freestanding poles, Klock said.
“It’s a target game,” he said.
“The rules are just like traditional golf.”
It even has drivers and putters, specialized discs that can be played for various “holes” along with mid-range discs.
It’s possible to play with only one disc, Klock said. It’s just that some players prefer using a variety of sizes.
The disc golf course at Lincoln Park received approval from the Port Angeles parks commission a little more than a year ago, Klock said.
Since then, the 25 or so members of the disc golf association have raised money and gone to work to clear brush, erect the poles and create the course.
“It was all done with private donations and fundraisers,” and volunteer labor, Klock said, estimating the group has spent about $4,000.
Each basket costs $460, he said; the group has 11 baskets so far, but has cleared a course of only nine.
Eventually, the course will have 18 holes, just like a regular golf course.
“The back nine will take another $3,000 to finish and about 200 hours of work,” Klock said.
Saturday’s grand opening included a ribbon cutting ceremony, putting clinics and free hotdogs.
Sponsors included Port Angeles Parks and Recreation, Olympic Vineyards and the Christian Fellowship.
Although anyone can play on the course at any hour that it is open, those who want to compete can participate in tournaments on Tuesdays and Thursday if they each ante up $7, Klock said.
For more information about the association, phone 360-775-4191.