October 4, 2017 - (Flier) Shelby County can now look forward to an increase in flying saucers (non-UFO) as Timpson is the first city in the county to feature a Disc (Frisbee) Golf course.
This new attraction swooping into Timpson's SoSo Park has a strong following across the country and has already increased traffic to the park in the past couple of weeks.
Paul Smith, Timpson Area Chamber of Commerce President, explained the idea of having Disc Golf in the park originated with Timpson City Councilman Kyle Allen and the constructor as well as designer of the course, Craig Lewis.
The course has 18 holes and rounds its way through the wooded 11 acre park with a basket at each location as well as cement platforms which are the tees. According to Lewis, the course should take around two hours to complete, and on fast play could possibly be completed in an hour and a half.
Smith said when Allen first took office on the council he suggested doing something with the park, such as offering Disc Golf.
"I remembered seeing it in Nacogdoches and I immediately said, 'that's a great idea, I love it,'" said Smith. "So, anyway we've been working on it ever since."
Smith said it may have appeared to the public the project came together quickly; however, it actually has been in the planning stages for quite some time. He was pleased to have seen over 40 people in the park on Sunday, September 24 using the course.
"Most of them were coming from Nacogdoches, people that I know, there's also a club there," said Lewis. "We announced it at the club, we have events every week, three events every week. Mini tournaments."
Smith and Lewis agreed there are some players already in Timpson which include Allen and his son and Rick Hightower to name a few.
Lewis related the game to traditional golf and explained the rules are very much identical with the variation of the player using a disc rather than a club.
"Every throw is a stroke, it's like a swing, and you've got to get it in the chains or the basket. On top doesn't count," said Lewis.
Allen and Lewis commented the game is something people can do at any age and is another option to draw people to outside activities.
Smith said a piece of land owned by the chamber of commerce is a thicker four acre wooded area and is included in the course to provide an added challenge.
"A while back they come in and tried to put some trails in there, but it just didn't stick. So, we actually used some of that four acres too to make it a little more challenging part," said Smith.
Sponsors for each of the holes are being sought and they range from $250 to $1,000. A sponsorship will include signage at the tee to indicate what business has sponsored the hole, also included at each hole will be a map of the course.
"With there being 18 holes that puts us being able to support a tournament for a regular tournament with people from out of town," said Smith.
Providing this course not only provides people with another activity in the area, Smith said the reason and added benefit for the chamber of commerce in participating with the project is to increase sales tax in Timpson, because those coming for tournaments and events will dine in Timpson, purchase fuel and visit the local stores.
"I'm really excited because a lot of towns, and I don't want to misrepresent anybody because I'm not sure Timpson might have liquor on the ballot also, but instead of just looking at that alone Timpson's trying to come out and create some sales tax money from other places not just a tax base from making a town wet," said Smith.
Smith expressed great appreciation to Lewis for assisting the city in getting the project completed.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the course may read more about it by clicking this link.
