ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s a sport that has risen in popularity over the last few years and is fairly easy to get into as long as you have a few frisbees and a disc golf course to play on. In its latest push to expand the sport, city officials are bringing more courses to Albuquerque.
“I think it’s awesome,” said Patrick Harrington, a novice disc golfer.
“It’s a big draw right now,” added another disc golfer, Iain Jaramillo.
Story continues below
Investigation: DWI scandal: APD officers resigning rather than talking
Community: What’s happening around New Mexico March 29-April 4
Trending: ‘Stranger Things’ home in Albuquerque up for sale
Crime: VIDEO: Pint-sized porch pirate steals package from North Valley home
It comes after the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division announced funding for several projects across the state with Albuquerque making the list. The city is expected to receive about $130,000 from the state, which would go toward building two new courses in Albuquerque and improving one other. “We’re super excited for more courses for sure,” Harrington said.
One of those courses is expected to be built at Westgate Park in the South Valley and will have 12 holes. City officials also are looking into adding a brand-new 20-hole championship course at the Puerto del Sol Golf Course. The city says it hopes to host regional and national tournaments there.
The championship course would have a fee, unlike other parks in the city, to help maintain the course. The city also wants to improve parks already in play, like the Brent Baca Memorial Disc Golf Course. Those familiar with the sport say it gained a lot of traction during COVID-19 and has slowly been growing since.
“Since there was all those restrictions, people found more ways to get out and enjoy themselves during COVID and so that’s what contributed to disc golf exploding out here,” said Sam Kent, President of the Albuquerque Disc Golf Association.
Enthusiasts and city officials also say the sport is easy to take up and is relatively cheap. “It’s an outdoor exercise,” explained Kent. ” I don’t care if you’re two years old, or 80 years old, anybody can get out here and enjoy disc golf.”
The Westgate Park course is expected to be free to the public. It’s unclear at this time how much fees for the championship course will cost. However, the city anticipates to earn about $8,000 to $10,000 in revenue from the course each year.
“We use the courses that we’ve got for championships and tournaments, but having an actual championship course would be pretty cool,” Jaramillo added. “I think it would be a big draw for the city.”
Albuquerque’s Parks and Recreation Department stated Friday, “We look forward to growing disc golf in our community and are grateful for the state’s support.”
