Disc golf tournament

This golf course has “holes,” but it’s nothing like the movie “Caddyshack.” Flying discs take the place of both expensive metal clubs and soaring golf balls in the game.
The sport is called disc or Frisbee golf and is a growing pastime in Odessa and across the coun-try. On Saturday and Sunday, the third annual disc golf tournament is scheduled for the city’s course in Comanche Trails Park.
“There’s no golf carts here. You have to walk,” tournament director Justin Cartwright said.
He’s a former Odessan who now lives in San Angelo, but he has a passion for the game in his former city.
“The course is getting progressively better and better, and it’s just a great game for people to take part in that can involve whole families,” he said.
Part of the appeal comes from the expense required for the game. Cartwright said discs can cost anywhere from $5 to $15 and bags can cost from $10 to $20, and aside from tournaments, playing disc golf is normally free. The discs themselves come in ranges for putter, midrange and driver sizes.
“It’s a lot cheaper than regular golf, and you can have just three discs and play well,” he said.
Cartwright said the Odessa tournament started in 2007 when the city course had a full 18-basket “hole” course. The course started in 2001 with nine holes and now boasts 21.
That’s 21 holes you have to walk through.
Odessan Chad Smith helps run the tournament and helped bring the original course to Odessa. He said the game’s popularity is growing as people in bigger cities like Austin and Dallas enjoy the game on as many as 20 courses.
Though disc golf is different from regular golf, Smith said some things are similar, particularly the goal of having the lowest number of throws and dealing with challenges presented by obstacles.
“Distance makes it more challenging, and you have to know multiple shots to win,” Smith said.
He said the game is growing in Odessa, and he hopes to gradually expand to get more baskets and even start a new course elsewhere.
“Comanche Trails is on the edge of town. We would love something more in the public’s eye,” Smith said.
Cartwright said the team will have a recreational division for walk-ups costing $20 and including a free lunch and T-shirt. He hopes the tournament will get more involved, even if not profession-ally.
“It’s fun,” he said.

TOURNAMENT
>> The Odessa disc golf tournament is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in Comanche Trails Park, 301 W. Interstate 20. The event is scheduled for an 8 a.m. start Saturday, with a players meeting at 9 a.m. and tee time at 10 a.m. Tee time will stay the same on Sunday.
>> The tournament includes 11 divisions ranging from amateur to professional level. For information, call Justin Cartwright at 325-277-6350.