Diamond Valley will soon be Alberta's next disc golf destination.
The town's first-ever disc golf course is slated to be developed on the northwest side of the Sheep River between Black Diamond and Turner Valley, with minimal work and investment required to make it a reality.
The proposal was put forward by Ian Penhalagan, who will be covering the cost of signage, at a Town of Diamond Valley council meeting on Feb. 5.
The chosen area, located near the Field of Dreams baseball diamond, is already equipped with restroom facilities, picnic tables, parking spots and garbage cans, meaning the work and investment required to create and maintain the course is minimal. Maintenance will largely be handled by volunteers.
A precise timeline has not been provided, though disc golf baskets have been ordered and are expected to be installed once the ground thaws. The price of the baskets, just under $10,000, is expected to be recouped through sponsorships and other funding sources.
The course will be mix of beginner to advanced holes to draw players of all skill levels, with an emphasis on being beginner-friendly.
Disc golf is played like traditional golf but using discs instead of balls and clubs. One throw, or stroke, is counted each time the disc is thrown and when a penalty is incurred. The goal of the game is to play each hole in the fewest strokes possible — the hole is completed when the disc comes to rest in the basket.
Once completed, the disc golf course is expected to become a tourist attraction in Diamond Valley, potentially acting as an economic driver by boosting local commerce.
The sport has been growing in popularity worldwide, and according to disc golf app UDisc, there are over 16,000 disc golf courses across the globe in 91 countries. Over 1,100 disc golf courses were added in 2024, marking the fifth consecutive year in which over 1,000 courses have been installed.
A nine-hole disc golf course came to Okotoks in 2020, with an expansion to 18 holes completed in 2023. The Riverside Disc Golf Course most recently made headlines when a cougar was filmed at the site in late 2024.
