Couples, friends and families from around town come to this course to toss a disc at a chained target, with players of all experience levels gathering together for the love of the game.
The goal of disc golf is to throw a disc from different distances and around obstacles to make it into a basket-target. Players use rules similar to the game of golf and take turns until they make it into the basket.
CORNWALL PARK
Cornwall Park is one of the few disc golf courses left in Whatcom County and it has become the most active. Though there have been a few disc golf courses throughout the area, most are now closed.
Some players are attracted to Cornwall because of its easy-to-access location in Bellingham. At this course, players also have the challenge of playing through and around trees.
“I like the challenge of the trees,” Bob Johnson of Ferndale said.
The park houses a nine-hole course, along with numerous other amenities. Johnson said he considers this park very user friendly.
VANDERYACHT PARK
The other known course in Whatcom County is VanderYacht Park in Ferndale, just north of Bellingham. This course is set up alongside the Nooksack River, and has many open spaces. The target-baskets are far more spread out, with minimal obstacles in the way.
VanderYacht Park is located less than 15 minutes north of Bellingham off of the Portal Way exit. Wide open fields, barbecues and a pond and river are some of the features found at this park, and it generally has less disc golfers than Cornwall.
WHERE TO GET GEAR
Many disc golf stores throughout Bellingham carry beginner sets of discs. A set or two can likely be found at Yeager’s Sporting Goods, off of Northwest Avenue. However, when players on the course are asked about their favorite place to get gear, most refer to Cosmic Comics, which is located off of Cornwall, near
Bellingham High School.Cosmic Comics, located at 1905 Cornwall Ave., provides a wide variety of discs, from putters, to mid range discs to drivers.
Brothers Alex Allan, 21, and Blake Allan, 23, said they both enjoy shopping for their discs at Cosmic Comics.
“That’s pretty much where we go every time,” Alex Allan said.
HOW TO START PLAYING
Most people like to play the sport with a few friends or in large groups, depending on experience levels and preference. These are common ways for aspiring disc golfers to become active within the game.
Two disc golf clubs are also nearby to help get avid disc golf players and fans involved: Meridian Disc Golf is, “a new company focusing on promoting the sport of disc golf and keep it growing strong and healthy in our community. With this as our commitment, we are connecting players through running events, leagues, tournaments and promoting & developing new disc golf courses in Bellingham Washington & Whatcom County,” according to their website.
The Whatcom Disc Golf Club, is an organization dedicated to the “expansion of the sport,” according to their Facebook page. They are pushing for awareness throughout the community and hope to reopen Mossyrock Park and renovate other two active parks.
