Disc Golf Alive And Well In Madison
MADISON- The sport of disc golf is alive and well in Madison. There is an average of six new courses opening to the public per day on a national level and Madison is not immune to that exciting fact as its newest course layout at Sunshine Oaks Park will soon be open for play while others remain open for the fun sport that anyone can play.
“Sunshine Oaks is a pro-level course, but designed to also appeal to recreational-level players as nine of the 18 holes layout will feature permanent short targets,” said Lavone Wolfe, longtime Madison resident and disc golf course designer. “The course has generated quite a buzz because it is Madison’s first full 18-hole course that will attract players of all levels as a destination and offer local promoters the facilities to host large tournaments.”
Sunshine Oaks, located on Mose Chapel Road, is adjacent to one of Madison’s Greenways. If played to the long positions, the course is a good test for advanced and pro level players. It will have shots not found at other local area courses. Construction is still ongoing with pavilions, rest rooms and other amenities still part of the work in progress.
Wolfe, a former World Champion disc player, member of the Professional Disc Golf Association and designer of numerous disc golf courses, was one of the trailblazers who introduced the sport to this area along with Disc Golf Hall of Famer Tom Monroe, who passed away in February. Wolfe is one of only 10 in the world certified master designers with 60-plus projects to his credit, has over 100 wins as a professional including world championships and state titles. He was inducted into the Disc Golf Hall of Fame in 1994. A resident of the immediate Huntsville area for 60 years, he has a BS degree from the University of North Alabama and a master’s degree from the University of Alabama.
Wolfe’s courses attract players and competitors regionally, nationally and internationally, and while the courses are praised by the world’s top professionals, those layouts are also favored by players who play disc golf for fun and recreation.
“I designed and installed each of the courses in Madison with each course having its own distinct characteristics and each receiving a lot of play from the huge local cadre of disc golfers,” said Wolfe.
Here’s a look at the current courses in Madison:
Indian Creek Course in Creekwood Park, 335 Harvestwood Ct. Madison, AL– Located in Creekwood Park, the course plays along the greenway. The course is another Lavone Wolfe design and is also an advanced to pro level challenge.
Asbury Church Gillespie Rd. Madison, AL– Located on a church campus but it is open to the public. This course has become a favorite of Madison residents in the past few years. While it is only a nine-hole course it is a Lavone Wolfe design and offers shot shaping usually found on larger and more advanced courses. Most players will play several rounds to complete 18 or more holes.
Other smaller but fun courses include Dublin Memorial Park and Stavemill Parks in Madison.
North Alabama was already a hub for the sport in the South and home to national and world champions and Hall of Fame members,” said Wolfe. “However, like the rest of the country, the sport exploded during Covid because it’s a great outdoor activity. Many players now have ambitions of making the Pro Tour where a number have contracts exceeding a million dollars.”
