WHISTLER’S
BEND, Ore. (KMTR) – Labor Day is often considered that “unofficial end of summer.” And for many, it’s coming a little too soon with such a late end to all of
Oregon’s wet weather.
Over at Whistler’s Bend recreation area east of Roseburg, plenty of campers took to the grounds Labor Day weekend. But one of the most popular attractions is disc golf.
Whistler’s Bend Disc Golf course is considered one best disc golf courses in the state by Oregon’s players. Groups from Portland, Grants Pass and Springfield played the course today.
Two of those players, Bob Chard & Ralph Huntoon have helped put together courses and tournaments across Oregon.
Both come back to the Whistler’s Bend course annually, calling it one of their favorites.
“It's just well laid out, they did a good job when they put this course in,” says Chard.
“It's also got one of the best holes in all of the course: Top of the World,” says Huntoon. “You get to throw roughly about 585-600 feet… something like that, down a hill.”
With the difficulty and the terrain, Bob and Ralph say Whistler’s Bend is one of the best in a sport that’s growing tremendously.
Bob has been playing disc golf since the early 90’s. He says the sport has been growing about 15% a year since he started. Bob predicts that soon enough, there will be more disc golfers out there than club golfers.
In tough economic times, the sport is relatively cheap as well, according to Chard. Discs run about 10 dollars each and most course are free to play.
The Douglas County / Roseburg area has several courses, including the Whistler’s Bend course east of Roseburg. Another course runs around the Roseburg VA campus and Stewart Park. Out south of Roseburg near Canyonville, crews are working on a course at Lawson’s Bar.
