A GRANT from the New South Wales State Government’s Local Sport Grant Program has gone towards expanding playing opportunities for local and visiting disc golfers.
The more than $9600 grant was recently awarded to Central West Disc Golf, with the money going towards portable equipment and transport with the aim of expanding nine-hole courses in the region.
“We have a permanent 18-hole course at Molong, a permanent nine-hole course at Orange, and a permanent nine-hole course in Macquarie Woods,” said Kevin Costa, president of Central West Disc Golf.
“If we run a big event, we need an 18-hole layout. What this grant has allowed us to do is buy nine heavy duty portable baskets.
“They’re baskets we can move into position to turn one of those nine-hole courses into an 18-hole course.
“Likewise, if we’ve got a park that has no course in it, or we want to do a beginner’s day or an event for a community group, or a school or something like that, we can go to that space and we can put up our nine portable baskets.
“The grant covered the portable baskets and the trailer.”
With the trailer ready to go, the baskets should arrive next month and while Molong has hosted big tournaments in the past, the addition of the portable equipment is set to expand that opportunity across the region.
“In October, we’re holding the Australian Masters Championships at Macquarie Woods,” Mr Costa said.
“We’re extending out through the pine forest into a championship level 18-hole course.
“It immediately opens up the ability to run events wherever they may be needed.
“At the moment we’re pretty much restricted to where there’s an existing course in the ground, but this grant certainly means we can essentially cover the whole of the central west.”
To mark the funding announcement, Mr Costa and Orange MP Phil Donato were at the home of disc golf in the region last week, Molong Golf Course.
Mr Donato said the ability to host more disc golf events in the region would have benefits beyond just the club members.
“I’m not sure of the ratio but I’m pretty sure the return on investment is greater than one-to-one which is usually the minimum that governments look for,” he said.
“But I think this is money well spent. It’s going to attract people to the region, and grow the sport.
“It encourages community participation and gets people out and about and active which is really important.”
Mr Costa agreed.
“In terms of economic benefits for a big event, you’re talking in the tens of thousands of dollars immediately for the region and the surrounding area,” he said.
While at Molong Disc Golf Course last Wednesday, Mr Donato took the opportunity to have a go at the sport.
He said that it was accessible and fun, even though he was still learning how to play.
“I wasn’t much good at it,” he joked.
“It’s well suited to people who have the biomechanics of being able to throw but anyone can play regardless of age and it’s a lot of fun.”