Sand Springs Parks Department unveils latest plans for new disc golf course, seeks community input

The Sand Springs Parks Department has released the latest plans for a new disc golf course redesign and is asking for community feedback.

The new layout will be located in the same general area as the existing course, but will add increased hole-length, professional signage, new tee pads, and will utilize the wooded areas under the Highway 97 bridge among other changes. The course is being designed by 2009 PDGA World Champion Avery Jenkins.

Disc Golf first came to Case Community Park (then dubbed River City Park) in 2012 after existing baskets were relocated from a nine-hole course at Ray Brown Park. The new course used two alternate natural tees per basket to create an 18-hole layout that was often crowded since two groups could be playing towards the same basket at the same time. The course was located along the creek at the entrance to the park.

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During a $6 million remodel of the park in 2017, a roadway, parking lot, and splash pad were constructed in the middle of the existing course, and the baskets were relocated to the deepest part of the grounds near the BMX track. The current course features a full 18 holes with few overlapping fairways and professional concrete tees. There are, however, several holes that throw across the walking trail, and the new course will aim to eliminate those safety issues.

The new proposed course design was created by DiscGolfPark, a multi-national corporation headquartered in Tampere, Finland. The Sand Springs course will be the first DiscGolfPark in Oklahoma and the fourth layout designed by Jenkins, who is a touring member of Team Discmania. Jenkins previously designed Shady Rest DiscGolfPark in Mammoth Lakes, California, LHC DiscGolfPark in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and co-designed The Sanctuary DiscGolfPark in Delta, Ohio. He is a transplant to Oklahoma, and currently lives in Pawhuska where he manages The Lodge at Taylor Ranch disc golf courses. Jenkins’s course designs average a 4.2 out of 5 rating on U-Disc, the official score app of the PDGA.

DiscGolfPark uses several unique concepts, including a turf tee pad. Most Oklahoma courses utilize concrete tees, but the turf pads are well reviewed by touring professionals like Paul McBeth and Simon Lizotte who praise the natural look and feel. The tees are also safer than concrete tees, which are easy for an inattentive player to trip over.

The new course will come with all new baskets and will also include a large Info Board showing the course layout, rules and guidelines. All of the new equipment will come with warranties.

The proposed Sand Springs layout will feature 18 tees with two permanent basket placements per hole. Unlike some area courses, which alternate baskets between long and short placements, the Sand Springs course will have short and long baskets at the same time. This creative layout will allow more experienced players to play alongside their lesser-experienced friends, or for players to play a full 36 holes.

The shorter “White” layout will be a par 54 at a total of 4690 feet, with holes ranging from 205 to 460. For comparison, the current layout is a par 54 at a total of 4212 feet, with holes ranging from 142 to 349. The longer “Blue” layout will be a par 56 at a total of 6226 feet, with holes ranging from 225 to 635.

The newest layout design isn’t final, as the department is still seeking input from local players. Parks staff plan on marking tee and basket locations within the next week, weather permitting, so that players can walk the course and get a feel for the changes.

Case Community Park is the flagship of the Sand Springs Parks Department, located at 2500 South River City Park Road along the Arkansas River. The 100-acre grounds include baseball, softball, soccer, and BMX complexes, a Community Center, a splash pad, four playgrounds, a skate park, a trail system, an amphitheater, horseshoe pits, basketball and volleyball courts, and more.

The playgrounds and sports courts are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the disc golf course, walking trails, and green space are still open, though patrons are encouraged to remain ten feet apart at all times. Parks staff have been periodically disinfecting the golf baskets throughout the day.

A new roadway is also planned that will allow visitors to cross over the river levee that surrounds the park. This will create a park entrance from the Sheffield Crossing development near the disc golf course and softball/BMX complexes. A paved parking lot is also planned.