Media release – Otago Polytechnic

For immediate release, Wednesday 24 September

Otago Polytechnic supports new Dunedin disc golf course

It’s like golf, but with a frisbee and the Dunedin public will have the opportunity to play the increasingly popular game on a trial course at Chingford Park this Sunday, 28 September.

Designed by Otago Polytechnic Creative Studies Lecturer and disc golf enthusiast, Hannah Joynt, along with co-designer Scott Pluver, the new course will be open to the public to trail, with the hopes it will become a permanent recreational fixture in Dunedin.

Originating in Canada and spearheaded in America, disc golf is fast becoming a mainstream sport in New Zealand. Queenstown has had its own course for over 20 years and Wanaka has two.

“My mum originally got me into disc golf and I loved it instantly,” says Ms Joynt. “I travel around New Zealand playing tournaments and thought Dunedin should be able to enjoy this wonderful game as well.”

With some financial backing from Otago Polytechnic, Ms Joynt proposed designing a course at Chingford Park, recruiting help from third-year Design (Communications) student, Hannah Poole.

“This has become a massive design project,” says Ms Joynt. “We had to design a recreational space that didn’t impact the other users of the park, the playground, archery ground, soccer fields and allowed the space to still be a functional park.”

The course has been designed for beginners to intermediates, with the aim players will improve their game because of the technical challenges presented by the course.

“We’ve played the course many, many times and redesigned it over thirty times to make each hole unique. A good course has flow, and equally favours both left and right-handed players. We’ve also had to take into consideration effective way-finding and communication so the public can understand how the game works.”

Otago Polytechnic Design and Hospitality Head of School Caroline Terpstra says supporting this project was a “no brainer.”

“Not only is it a wonderful community-orientated project that will greatly benefit Dunedin, but it has created opportunities for design collaboration between our staff and students. It’s a fantastic and unique learning experience,” says Mrs Terpstra.

As a part of the process of the project, Ms Joynt and Mr Pluver have established Dunedin’s first disc golf club – Disc Golf Dunedin Incorporated. New members will be able to sign up on the open day.

With the project costs in the vicinity of $10,000, the three-man team have approval from the Dunedin City Council and sponsorship from Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin Rotary Club, The Valley Project and Inch Bar. They are still actively recruiting sponsorship to support the community project.

“Organisations can sponsor a basket or help fund some materials to build tee boxes. Every little bit will help get this course up and running for the public,” says Ms Joynt.

She hopes the new feature will attract more people to Dunedin and ultimately, open up the opportunity to host a New Zealand Disc Golf Tournament.

“It’s about throwing a disc, being social and having a great time. To have a tournament in Dunedin would be the icing on the cake.”

-ENDS-

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