Disc golf could be coming to St. Martinville

Magnolia park will be the site of a new disc golf course if District 1 Councilman Mike Fuselier’s proposal is accepted. At the April 6 City Council meeting, Fuselier discussed the plan with council members, all of whom seemed receptive to the idea.
The proposed course will wind its way around the eastern part of the park between the ball fields and the bayou. The 18-hole course would mostly be funded by donations and sponsorships from local businesses and other organizations. The city would cover any shortages in the estimated $9,000 cost.
In other area parks, disc golf has been very popular, with some reporting 400 players per week. Tournaments are well-attended and can attract 150 to 170 players. Fuselier said that the course would be laid out by designers from the national organization in such a way that all “drives” would be directed away from the walking path.
Installation of a disc golf course, he said, does not spoil the space for other uses. The courses require basically no extra maintenance and no attendants, so players would pay little or nothing for access to the course.
All players need is a regulation set of three contest discs. The set consists of a driver, approach and putter disk and costs less than $20, so the sport is very affordable.
The council addressed a developing problem of rotten and leaning power line poles on private property in the city. Poles that fall can obviously cause damage and risks not limited to the property. As Mayor Thomas Nelson pointed out, poles on private property are the responsibility of the property owner, and plans are being formulated to enforce needed replacement.
Helen James Bourda requested and received permission to use city facilities for the well-regarded Adam Carlson Summer Enrichment Program.