Disc Golf Course Coming To Whaleback Mountain in the Fall of 2022
Apr 08, 2022 01:06PM ● By Virginia Dean
According to local reports, the Upper Valley Disc Golf Association is partnering with Whaleback Mountain in Enfield, NH, to build a disc golf course at the ski area with tentative plans to break ground this spring when the ground thaws.
The course, which received official approval from the Enfield ski area in December, would officially open in the fall of 2022. UVDGA president Dan Walsh expressed his enthusiasm about the plan, stating that the association had been working on it all year. The project was propelled by the success of the Disc Golf Community Day at Whaleback in October, Walsh said. About $5,000 was raised at that event, with about 150 people who attended. The positive turnout indicated that community members are enthusiastic about disc golf.
Whaleback Mountain executive director Jon Hunt is equally excited about the new course and gave credit to the UVDGDA for bringing the idea of capitalizing on the mountain’s space outside of the ski season.
“They brought it to us, and they kept harping on me,” said Walsh. “It’s not something that’s a huge investment for us financially. But it’ll bring people to the mountain during the summer and engage folks when they’re generally not thinking about skiing.” The plan is to break ground in the spring and to have the 18-hole course ready for play in the summer or fall. Walsh said he wants to ensure that the course is in place by October. He envisions making the Disc Golf Community Day an annual event. An actual competitive tournament might be attached to it as the project develops.
Initially, the exact location of the course will have to be determined. Whaleback has indicated that the course would not interfere with ski and snowboard operations. The UVDGA is funding the project primarily through fundraising. There are a few grants, but donations will make up most of the payments. Walsh estimated that the course could cost between $10-15,000, so they’re aiming to raise closer to $20,000 to create a better course. The extra money could go toward better-made baskets, more complex course designs, and signage around the course directing newer players where to go. Walsh noted that course upgrades, clearing fairways, implementing manual labor, and having ample resources are all part of reaching a successful opening.
The course, which received official approval from the Enfield ski area in December, would officially open in the fall of 2022. UVDGA president Dan Walsh expressed his enthusiasm about the plan, stating that the association had been working on it all year. The project was propelled by the success of the Disc Golf Community Day at Whaleback in October, Walsh said. About $5,000 was raised at that event, with about 150 people who attended. The positive turnout indicated that community members are enthusiastic about disc golf.
Whaleback Mountain executive director Jon Hunt is equally excited about the new course and gave credit to the UVDGDA for bringing the idea of capitalizing on the mountain’s space outside of the ski season.
“They brought it to us, and they kept harping on me,” said Walsh. “It’s not something that’s a huge investment for us financially. But it’ll bring people to the mountain during the summer and engage folks when they’re generally not thinking about skiing.” The plan is to break ground in the spring and to have the 18-hole course ready for play in the summer or fall. Walsh said he wants to ensure that the course is in place by October. He envisions making the Disc Golf Community Day an annual event. An actual competitive tournament might be attached to it as the project develops.
Initially, the exact location of the course will have to be determined. Whaleback has indicated that the course would not interfere with ski and snowboard operations. The UVDGA is funding the project primarily through fundraising. There are a few grants, but donations will make up most of the payments. Walsh estimated that the course could cost between $10-15,000, so they’re aiming to raise closer to $20,000 to create a better course. The extra money could go toward better-made baskets, more complex course designs, and signage around the course directing newer players where to go. Walsh noted that course upgrades, clearing fairways, implementing manual labor, and having ample resources are all part of reaching a successful opening.
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