Support for Kaiapoi disc golf proposal

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By local democracy reporter David Hill:

Disc golf could be coming to Kaiapoi.

Advocates of the sport say they could have a nine-hole course set up in the Kaiapoi Domain within months, if they get the go ahead.

Brothers Glen, Royce and Blake Whelan, who were born and bred in Ohoka, have been playing disc golf for several years, and were keen to have a local course.

Ryan Moleta, of Ashley, fell in love with the game after playing it at Twizel as a youngster.

The players have been travelling into Christchurch each week to play disc golf at Queenspark Reserve, and other courses around the city.

The idea for a disc golf course in the Kaiapoi Domain came during lockdown when Blake Whelan was out getting some exercise.

‘‘I went past the domain and thought it would be fun to have a disc golf course there,’’ he said.

Glen Whelan said the course would cater to everyone.

‘‘You can play it as casual as you like, whereas we tend to have a bit of rivalry.’’

‘‘We are just excited at the prospect of bringing disc golf to Kaiapoi,’’ Royce Whelan said.

‘‘Because it is such a popular sport worldwide and during Covid people were watching it on YouTube.’’

The Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board will consider a report at its February or March meeting, after the council completed a community survey earlier this month.

The survey attracted 143 respondents, with 90% supporting the establishment of a disc golf course in the Kaiapoi Domain.

Of the remaining 10%, the main objections included concerns for the trees in the domain and a preference for a site in the former red zone.

The disc golf players were due to meet with council greenspace staff this week to map out a proposed course which avoided heritage trees.

Moleta said having disc golf would make the domain safer for other users.

‘‘Safety is a big part of it.

‘‘We find that where there is disc golf it activates green spaces, littering and graffiti go down and people feel safer because there are people there all the time.’’

Disc golf players had a code of etiquette which included looking out for and giving way to other park users.

Any type of frisbee could be used, with the semi-professional players using ‘‘drivers’’, ‘‘putters’’ and ‘‘mid-range’’ discs (wedges), just like golfers, Moleta said.

‘‘You can get high speed discs, low flying discs, pretty ones which look cool and glow in the dark discs to play at night.’’

Should the nine-hole course prove popular, the players were keen to explore the idea of developing an 18-hole international course on former red zone land.

There was not expected to be any cost to the council, with advocates set to fundraise to pay for nine baskets, 18 sleeves and nine tee pads at a cost of around $9000.

Moleta and Blake Whelan were landscapers and planned to do most of the layout work themselves to reduce costs.