Friends of Buttery Brook Park and others join to official open the Buttery Brook disc golf course at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Photo credit: Jeromie Whalen
SOUTH HADLEY — South Hadley hosted a grand opening for its new nine-hole disc golf course at Buttery Brook Park, 123 Willimansett St., on July 18.
Friends of Buttery Brook Park President and Disc Golf and Pickleball Coordinator Kim Prough and volunteer Maddy Venancio discussed the project with Reminder Publishing.
Although his unofficial title is volunteer, Pough said Venancio is more than a volunteer and has “really helped shape the direction of the disc golf course. He’s really the primary driver to get the disc golf to where it is today.”
Venancio explained the course is nine holes compared to the usual 18 holes course and plays around the perimeter of Buttery Brook Park.
There are no tee times and it’s free for anybody to check out. There is also a practice basket located by the playgrounds where people can practice throwing as well.
One of the unique things about the course is there is a par 4 and par 5, which Venancio said, “you don’t really see for many nine-hole courses.”
Most nine-hole disc golf courses are typically par 4 and beginner-friendly, but according to Venancio, the Buttery Brook disc golf course is more intermediate with a few advance shots on certain holes.
There are plans to create nine short tee pads that will use the same baskets to make the holes more beginner- and family-friendly.
Prough said the hope is those shorter tee pads will be installed this summer and plan to open at the beginning of September, with events tailored to families who want to learn how to play.
She also said the town will have discs set for people to rent at the South Hadley Library and South Hadley Senior Center.
Those looking to check out the course can download the UDisc app to keep score and check the layout of any course. It is a free account that Prough and Venancio recommended people sign up for.
Venancio said it felt great to have the course open to the public and he has heard nothing but positive feedback.
He said the course currently is rated 4.5 out of 5 on the UDisc app, which has led people from all over to check out the course, including a couple from Kansas City, Missouri, who he said saw the high rating of the course on the app and decided to check it out.
Venancio talked about how the new course is a fun and great form of exercise.
He said, “I think it’s going to benefit the community because they have a lot of health benefits, it’s great exercise, it’s a good hike, you use your whole body, your whole core when you’re throwing. I think as more people get comfortable going out there, I think they’ll get hooked like I did 14 years ago.”
South Hadley Town Administrator Lisa Wong talked about what the new disc golf course can bring to the community.
She said, “The new nine-hole disc golf course at Buttery Brook Park is an exciting addition to the park’s amenities, offering fun, inexpensive and accessible recreation for all ages and skill levels. Disc golf, played solo or with others, is a great way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors. We’re proud to expand Buttery Brook Park’s offerings for the community.”
The new disc golf course is one of several improvements to the park that were announced at a groundbreaking event on April 8.
Besides the nine-hole disc golf course, planned improvements include four new pickleball courts, ADA-accessible playground features, a new bandshell for performances and events, and a half-mile walking loop and the planting of 200 new trees.
The improvements will also include repaving the basketball courts, parking lot improvements and Wi-Fi.
Prough said people have told her that Buttery Brook Park is the best park in Western Massachusetts because of all it has to offer.
Besides the disc golf adding another option for residents to partake in outdoor activity and exercise in the community, Prough explained that she thinks the park can be a great economic benefit to the town.
“I mean, there’s really something for everybody,” Prough said, “This really just adds another element of offering to the community; just not South Hadley, but people come in from all over to play disc golf like they do pickleball. It’s another opportunity to bring people to Buttery Brook Park into South Hadley,” Prough said.
