Disc Golf in Colorado

Matt James

WHILE ACCOUNTS OF PEOPLE PLAYING GOLF WITH A FLYING DISC GO BACK A LONG WAY (ACCORDING TO SOME ACCOUNTS AS FAR BACK AS THE 1920’s), AS AN ORGANIZED SPORT IT IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO HAVE COME INTO EXISTENCE IN THE 1960’S IN CALIFORNIA. AND COLORADO WASN’T FAR BEHIND.

Colorado was lucky enough to receive two of the earliest disc golf courses in the country. In fact, last year Pueblo’s City Park course celebrated its 40th (yes, you read that right) anniversary. The other course installed that same year, 1978, was Ken Caryl Ranch course which is probably the easiest course in the state.

From just a few clubs scattered throughout the state, today there are about 100 local clubs taking care of over 200 courses - with around 75 of those being West of 105. And, Colorado boasts the highest course in the world with the course on top of Aspen Mountain sitting pretty at 11,212 feet! This course also plays host to the bi-annual Colorado classic tournament ‘Kiss The Sky.’ This year it will be held on July 26-28.

Alyssa Van Lanen

And, Colorado produces some of the world’s best disc golfers including the 2018 Women Professional World Champion Paige Bjerkaas who grew up playing tournaments here, while Boulder is home to one of the top 10 disc golfers on the planet, Eagle McMahon (pictured below). Another disc golf legend who now calls Colorado home is John Bird who used to travel the country doing Frisbee demonstrations in the late 70’s. He continues to install new courses and run events. And Fort Collins is where Bill Wright lives. He was one third of the World famous freestyle Frisbee team called the Coloradicals in the early 1980’s. His store ‘The Wright Life’ is one of the most supportive organizations when it comes to disc events throughout the state.

There are courses all over the state, from Alamosa to Fruita - and all points in between -as well as several of the ski resorts, including Arapahoe Basin, Crested Butte, Kendall Mountain, Steamboat Resort, Sunlight Mountain, Telluride and Winter Park.

And, Discmania, one of the major international disc manufacturers, just moved to Wellington, Colorado.