Disc golf course considered

Local officials met with a member of the Professional Disc Golf Association Friday to discuss the possibility of building a course at the Five Mile Park to attract tournaments to the area.

"While at a conference at the Sipapu resort, I encountered 200 people that attended a disc golf tournament there," said Robert Lumpkin, District 4 city commissioner.

Officials met with Jeff Lewis, PDGA member, disc golf player, Friday to gain perspective on what kind of disc golf course would appeal to pros.

Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc or Frisbee. A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target, which is the basket. The object is to complete each throw with the fewest strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest throws).

Lumpkin said there was a wide range of people attending the tournament. He said the group was committed to competing at the tournament, and Tucumcari could benefit from drawing disc golf players and enthusiast to the area.

An area of 30 acres or more with 18 baskets would be the most desirable to be sanctioned as a professional course, according to Lewis.

Lodger's Tax Advisory Board President David Brenner asked if there is a difference between a pro course and recreational course and what are the advantages or disadvantages of having one instead of the other?

Lewis said serious tournament players will not commit to coming to Tucumcari to play on a recreational course, adding that the difficulty of the course is another factor that attracts serious players.

Lewis said the 18-basket course would benefit from having natural obstacles like trees and terrain. He said the different launching platforms for the baskets present unique challenges for the players. The baskets could also be placed at different locations to create a new course for different tournaments.

He said the price of individual baskets would cost $300 a piece and would require a concrete base. He said the baskets are sturdy and will last 15 to 20 years.

Brenner said there is a concern about vandalism out at the park. He said that may be reduced with an increased presence on players and course staff.

Lumpkin said there is a lot of potential for making Tucumcari a destination for the disc golf enthusiast, and eventually hosting a tournament. He said the local businesses could also sponsor the different baskets at the course, adding that the players at Sipapu frequented the local businesses, who supported the course and event.

There is also the possibility of making a disc golf tournament the new signature event for the Tucumcari Rotary Club, said Patrick Vanderpool, rotary member and Greater Tucumcari Economic Development Corp. director.

Lumpkin said starting the discussion about the possibility of a disc golf course is the first step. He said he looks forward to working with the various city officials and departments to seeing this project through.