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Disc golf course gaining attention

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One recreational activity at Nichols Park is gaining in popularity even though many local residents don't know it exists.
Disc golf, the Frisbee-like version of regular golf has been a part of the park area for the past eight years.
Course designer Joshua Craig told city council members the course has been visited by players from 11 states and even three different countries.
joshua-craig Nichols Park has something no other course in four states has, rolling hills, trees and rocks.
"Usually the courses are flat and on open land."
"We are taking it from a temporary course to a full, two-course professional level course," he said Tuesday night.
Craig, who is from Dewar and now lives in Muskogee, said he has been developing the course with his own funds.
He started out with the course baskets but vandalism caused him to install "tone poles" that are set in concrete.
"Oklahoma is the fastest growing state in the sport for professional players and courses," he said. There are two courses in McAlester, one in Okmulgee and several in Tulsa.
The first hole on the course starts out at the bath house parking lot then winds around throw the east side of the park. It covers 18 holes spanning 5,675 feet.
Craig said he has been working on the course on his own time using his own equipment. "I ruined two riding lawnmowers in the past." He praised current efforts at the park for making the area look more attractive.
To help in developing the course, Craig said he has been selling hole sponsors. Currently there are ten out of the 18 potential sponsorships already committed.
Nationwide, some 70,000 people are registered players.
The Henryetta course is included in the map on the Professional Disc Golf Association website.