Press Release
July 28, 1998
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Brian Vattimo
518/486-1868
PARKS COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES OPENING OF DISC GOLF COURSE AT EVANGOLA STATE PARK
(Albany, New York July 28, 1998 ...) New York State Commissioner Bernadette Castro today announced a public-private partnership to open a disc golf course at Evangola State Park in Irving, Erie County.
Disc golf combines the rules of golf with the flight of a frisbee. Players throw a disc from a tee and then throw the disc from where it comes to rest. The hole is completed when the player throws the disc into a basket, commonly known as a pole hole.
The Western New York Disc Golf Club, assisted by Evangola State Park Manager Jim Manning and his crew, installed an 18-hole disc golf course on 15-acres of unused parkland, located along the shores of Lake Erie, 15 miles south of Buffalo.
"The disc golf course is an innovative use of land that may not have been used in any other capacity," said Commissioner Castro. "Equally important is that people have yet another reason to enjoy the outdoors. This successful public-private partnership offers more activities for park patrons.
The WNY Disc Golf Club paid nearly $9,000 for the course by raising money from local and national sponsors, as well as area golfers. There are more than 700 disc golf courses in the U.S. and Canada.
"We expect this course to draw hundreds of local players along with disc golfers from the northeast and Canada on a regular basis," said Commissioner Castro. "The course overlooks Lake Erie and is situated in an outstanding state park that offers a world class beach, overnight camping and other recreational activities for all to enjoy."
Evangola is the second state park in Western New York with a disc golf course. Joseph Davis State Park in Lewiston opened a disc golf course in 1980.
Commissioner Castro said future plans include a disc golf course at Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island.