By Jay Stephenson
Valley City Times-Record

The pars haven’t been put in place yet, but disc golf enthusiasts have already been playing on the new course built at City  Park in Valley City.
“We actually just installed the disc catchers last Friday, and already people were playing that day,” said Tyler Jacobson, director of Valley City’s Park District.
“We have a nine-hole recreational golf course; it’s a shorter course,” Jacobson said.  “But with the trees and other obstacles,  it makes things a little more challenging.”
Jacobson says disc golf, which is commonly known by its street name frisbee golf, is a growing trend in North Dakota and was time Valley City had a course of its own.  
“Jamestown started out with I believe nine holes, and now they’ve added 27 competition holes,” Jacobson said.  “So we decided to put a course in and utilize the park more.”
The course was built over the summer using the expertise of Darrell Nodland, a professional disc golfer, and state coordinator for the Professional Disc Golf Association.  Nodland’s plan was  a recreational course that would be fun for everyone, but with a level of difficulty even a professional could enjoy.
Nodland, who has played professional disc golf all over the United States, says Jamestown’s course is one of the most difficult courses in the country.  However, he says the course in Valley City is an ideal recreational course that should beckon players from nearby Valley City State University.
“There’s a lot of universities that have their own courses on their property,” Nodland said.  “So I think you’ll see a lot of the college kids coming out to play.”
Nodland estimates there are 25 disc golf courses in the state of North Dakota, and that 90 percent of the courses are on federal or state owned land.  He says Valley City’s course is different from others  because it is right next to the Sheyenne River and features an abundance of trees.
“It is one of the more beautiful courses compared to the other parks I’ve put in North Dakota,” he said.
Disc golf began in the 1970s in California, but may have been played informally since the early 1900s.  The rules are similar to ball golf, but players must play around trees, hills or tight lines in the woods rather than the mostly flat surface ball golf provides.
“I kind of think of it as a poor man’s golf game,” Nodland said.  “About 90 percent of the courses are free, and it only costs about $10 for  a disc, and three or four people can play nine holes in 20 minutes.”
The course is located downtown, in City Park, and the only cost is the price of the disc, although the sport can be played with any common frisbee.  
Those interested in the rules of the game can go to the Professional Disc Golf Association’s website at www.pdga.com for more information.