Bittner Park is quietly becoming a big deal in the world of disc golf as it is evolving into a premiere stop on the professional disc golf tour. The course was designed by a disc golf professional and some recent upgrades are improving the course for amateurs and pros alike and now, according to the Park & Recreation Department, is set to host another professional tournament at the end of the month.

Park & Recreation Director Rick Maynard (for whom the course is named) said he and his crew and a group of volunteers have been steadily working on the course between the weather to upgrade the site for the coming tournament. The crews have been removing smaller trees and brush, but one of the unique features of disc golf is that most courses leave the trees standing rather than cutting them down, in keeping both with environmental concerns and a desire for a challenging activity.

“What makes it so interesting is that you are really undertaking a hike through the trees as you play. The course is so beautiful to play,” Maynard said. “It is really a fun and unique experience for every level of player. My crew has been up there working on it and there have been two or three volunteer work parties who have helped drag some of the brush away.”

According to Maynard, the recent anonymous donation that will help fund the new splash pad at Jacobs Beach also provided $14,000 for upkeep and improvements for the course.

“This just kind of came out of the sky for both projects. Obviously for the splash pad it was huge and allowed us to get that project done well before the season starts. And this money for the course is a huge benefit as well,” Maynard said.

New tee pads are currently under revamping that will allow for flexibility for every level of experience. According to Maynard, members of the U.S. Coast Guard who live in the area became so enamored of the course they are helping with the new tee pad construction.

“The ones there now are four feet by eight feet and I think [course designer] Craig [Smolin] wants to expand those to be 8 feet by 12 feet to accommodate some of the playing styles because some people like to take a running start to throw,” said Maynard.

The course being lengthened will make it more attractive to the pro element while allowing newcomers to still use the shorter tee-off spots as well and play to their ability. Maynard also said artificial turf covering the tee pads was recycled from the Guilford High School athletic field renovation and is expected to keep these heavy-use sections of the course from being eroded as they can be susceptible to water damage and puddling.

“Some disc golf courses are natural with just the ground, but what happens is that wears out, gets a bit of divot; it rains and then you have mud. So, the turf is a great feature to have on these areas that get high usage,” said Maynard. “Eventually the carpet may wear out, but it lasted for 14 years at the high school so we will be able to replace that as needed.”

Smolin, a disc golf pro himself and the director of the pro tournament coming Saturday, April 30, was hired by the town in 2017 to design the course with the intention of cultivating the sport’s popularity. Smolin said the current improvements will make the course even more challenging for both recreation and for the pros.

“It was great to be part of this project as it allowed a perfect confluence of my environmental consulting background and my disc golf background,” Smollin said. “Bittner is the first course I designed on my own. I tried to do it in a way that would meet the town’s initial desire for an entry level course, beginners, families, as an active recreation activity, rather than something passive like hiking.

“There was always the intent to expand the course for higher skilled players, but the original design was for the beginning player in mind to make it fun but challenging and to that extent it has been well received,” he added.

According to Smollin, there has actually been a professional disc golf organization since the late 1970s, but the sport has exploded in the last few years bringing in all levels and ages of players. Smolin said the differing tee-off spots will allow for every level of play.

“This is something more courses are starting to incorporate in order to meet the demand of new players and well-experienced players,” Smolin said. “From my perspective, I always loved the game of golf, even though I never really played, because for me it was yourself versus the course. I always loved that concept. But aesthetically traditional golf never really appealed to me.

“Disc golf has always kind of appealed to my romantic side, so to speak. It appeals to my analytical nature, but you’re in nature. You’re not clear cutting the forest down. You’re hiking,” he continued. “It’s an awesome feeling to see a Frisbee fly through the trees.”

According to Maynard, Smolin’s design and work has been a benefit to the town and recommends residents come out and watch the pros play.

“He did such an excellent job creating this course. He has run several tournaments up there and has been integral to the new layout. He goes out there quite a bit from what I know and is constantly keeping a good eye on it,” said Maynard. “I saw the tournament last year, and I have to say my draw dropped at how some of these guys are. These guys can really throw. It’s amazing how good they are, and how much skill they have.”

Bittner Park Pro Open

The public is invited to come out and watch the Bittner Park Pro Open professional tournament to be held on Saturday, April 30 at 8:45 a.m. The amateur tournament will be held the next day on Sunday, May 1. Last year the available spots filled up within minutes so the Park & Recreation Department recommends keeping an eye on its website www.guilfordparkrec.com for notice of the sign up opening. Guilford vendor Deli Unlimited, Inc., will have a food truck at the events.