MONTGOMERY COUNTY, CITY OF AMSTERDAM ANNOUNCE INSTALLATION OF A NEW DISC GOLF COURSE AT SASSAFRASS PARK

New Facility Will Be Montgomery County’s Second Disc Golf Course, County’s Investment is Part of a Larger Tourism Effort

(AMSTERDAM, NY) – One of the nation’s fastest growing sports, disc golf has surged in popularity in just a few short years with over 19 million player rounds logged on the popular app UDisc in 2022. With the county already home to one of the area’s most popular courses, Burbine Forest Disc Golf Course, investing in a new course in Amsterdam was a natural fit to help continue attracting new disc golfers to the community.

“Dove Creek Disc Golf Course at Sassafrass Hollow,” will traverse the woods of Sassafrass Park in the City of Amsterdam, incorporating unique and challenging features to attract competitors. The 18-hole course is expected to be complete by August of 2024. Nine baskets are estimated to be installed by August 2023.

“Disc golf’s popularity has gone through the roof”

“Disc golf’s popularity has gone through the roof and Montgomery County is quickly becoming recognized as a destination for great courses and welcoming people,” said Montgomery County Executive Matthew Ossenfort. “Since we made our initial investments in the Burbine Forest Disc Golf Course, the response has been overwhelmingly positive from people across the region and beyond. I’m confident that disc golfers will soon find that same hospitality and excitement here at this new course.”

According to a report from UDisc, 87% of players who used the app traveled 20 or more miles to play a round in 2022, with more than half of players taking a trip specifically for disc golf. Development of a nine-hole course also aligns with a larger trend in the industry, which saw almost 800 nine-hole courses built in 2022.

The course is the vision of Terry Hudson and Shawn Collins, local disc golf enthusiasts who approached the city and the county about developing a new course after seeing the popularity of Burbine and other local courses. To support the development of Dove Creek Disc Golf Course, Montgomery County has provided $15,000 in seed funding from tourism designated bed tax revenue to get the project underway.

“When Terry approached me about building this course, I was eager to bring everything we’ve learned and loved about the course in Charleston to Amsterdam. Disc golf is becoming big business and it’s the perfect sport for Montgomery County to capitalize on, because it comes with relatively low start-up and recurring costs. What’s especially notable is that disc golfers travel far and wide to play new courses and this investment aligns and enhances our larger tourism program, which prominently features disc golf. My hats off to everyone who is helping to make this course a reality,” Ossenfort added.

“This is going to be a free outdoor activity with a minimal barrier of entry”

“This is going to be a free outdoor activity with a minimal barrier of entry,” said Terry Hudson, who spearheaded the course’s design and construction. “I think it will be really great for kids and adults alike, to have tournaments, and also bring people from outside the area and support local businesses.”

“Adding this beautiful disc golf venue to the City of Amsterdam‘s growing menu of recreational assets wouldn’t be happening without the passionate advocacy and hard work of Terry Hudson and Shawn Collins; the critical funding support provided by Matt Ossenfort, Bob Purtell and Montgomery County; the generosity of various area sponsors and the ingenuity and hard work of volunteers like Boy Scout Troop 48! Our City owes them all a very special thank you,” said City of Amsterdam Mayor Michael Cinquanti.

Construction of the new course is being done collaboratively with local Amsterdam volunteers Will Cable, Vic Disalvi, Nathan Farley, volunteers from the nonprofit DisCap, a 501(c) 3 organization that promotes the growth of the sport in the Capital Region, members of Boy Scout Troop 48 of Amsterdam and several other volunteers.

Scouts from Troop 48 recently completed construction of a bridge that will be utilized by golfers on the 8th hole. The service project helped scouts earn the Paul Bunyan Award and other merit badges. It was dedicated in memory to former Cubmaster of Pack 101 Matthew J. Odendahl who passed away in 2017.