Disc Golf Course Proposed For Paso Robles

Sponsored by Michael Gill Cellars - Outstanding Paso Robles Syrah

A group of disc golf players are proposing to build new course on the east side of town on 60-acres of open land between Highway 46 and Kleck Road.

Disc golf is played like traditional golf, but instead of a ball and clubs, players use a flying disk or Frisbee and a metal basket called a pole hole.

The Cencal Renegades Disc Golf Club recently submitted their proposal for a 27-hole championship course to the Paso Robles Parks and Recreation Department.

Members of the Cencal Renegades walked door-to-door Saturday visiting residents in the vicinity of the proposed course. The neighbors “seemed overwhelmingly supportive of our proposal,” says Wayne Nielsen, founder of the club.

“If the feedback is overwhelmingly good about wanting a disc golf course in the area, the Parks Department will propose it to the Paso Robles City Council,” he says. “If the proposal is approved by the City Council we will begin construction.”

Most courses start with placement of the baskets and then followed by concrete tee pads, tee signs, benches, trash cans and a information kiosk near hole number 1. Each hole will have multiple basket placements which will be steel sleeves set in concrete for the basket to fit into.

The average expense of a complete 18 hole course ranges anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000.

“We have the initial setup of the course complete, once approved we will be placing a call to professional disc golf players to come visit and give us feedback on our setup and make changes from there before installation begins,” Nielsen says. “The course is designed around the trees and bushes in the area so no extensive cutting will be needed.”

Parking would be along Kleck Road and there are no permanent structures on the course. “We will install signs directing visitors of the course to park on the opposite side of the street from any houses,” Nielsen says.

Hole number 1 and 18 are designed near the street to help comply to ADA rules about disc golf courses. “Our proposal is for a total of 27 holes, creating a championship course,” he says. “Our first phase would be 18 and then once that is complete and approved by they city, we will install the final 9 holes.”

The club of 12 members currently hosts weekly tournaments in Atascadero at Heilmann Regional Park as well as four annual tournaments. “We plan on holding Professional Disc Golf Association sanctioned tournaments in the future, including multiple day tournaments.”

Nielsen says the course will be good for the town: “A course in Paso will bring visitors in for the day to play the course and in turn they will spend money at local food establishments as well as convenience stores. If or when the course is approved, and finished, it will allow us to hold multiple day tournaments, which will bring people into the hotel establishments and hopefully in turn they will visit wineries and other businesses in the Paso Robles area.”