Tuscaloosa PARA to Remove Disc Golf Course at Ol’ Colony, Reinstall At Sokol Park

The Tuscaloosa Park and Recreation Authority will remove one of Tuscaloosa's full-sized 18-hole disc golf courses and reinstall it in a new format in a nearby park.

The Druid City is home to four public disc golf courses and one privately owned, making it one of the state's largest hubs for the sport, which follows the same general rules as golf.

Players are trying to throw frisbees into baskets lined with chains to catch the discs in flight, rather than hitting balls with clubs. Each "hole" on a course features its own unique challenges and a par score to beat.

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Tuscaloosa's four public disc golf courses are all in area parks, with 18-holers at Bowers Park, Palmore Park, the Hangar at Cardinal Park at the Tuscaloosa National Airport and another at Ol' Colony Golf Complex in north Tuscaloosa.

It's that course, the Ol' Colony setup, which will be removed by PARA and reinstalled somewhere in Munny Sokol Park on the other side of Union Chapel Road.

"Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority (PARA) is committed to providing safe, enjoyable, and high-quality recreational experiences for our community. As part of our ongoing efforts to improve safety, maintenance, and playability, PARA is exploring plans to relocate the disc golf course currently located at Ol’ Colony Golf Complex," a spokesperson said in a statement to the Thread.

Rumors of the move sparked worries in the Tuscaloosa Disc Golf Club, but PARA said plans about the future course at Sokol Park was received with gratitude and excitement.

Problems at the Ol' Colony course include a lack of restroom facilities, limited parking on busy days for the golf facility, and the risk of errantly thrown discs striking and dinging vehicles.

"The new Sokol Park location will allow for safer play, better amenities, and an improved overall experience," the organization said. "PARA Park Operations has agreed to relocate the baskets, and we are proud to support the disc golf community by facilitating the transfer of baskets and fittings that players have invested in over the years."

Leadership at PARA said they are committed to not removing any asset from the disc golf community without a plan to replace or upgrade it, as with all local hobbyists in the region.

"PARA exists to serve — not work against — the residents of Tuscaloosa County. Since I joined this organization two and a half years ago, our team, along with dedicated partners that support our mission, has worked tirelessly to help bring new opportunities to life: from introducing all-girl flag football, building brand-new outdoor pickleball courts, and expanding the Tuscaloosa Tennis Center, to launching free community events like the Easter EGGstravaganza and developing a state-of-the-art indoor golf facility," PARA CEO Brian Davis told the Thread. "This is a new era for PARA. Our commitment is to continue improving our parks, programs, facilities, and events so that families across the community can enjoy first-class recreational experiences close to home. The PARA team is made up of Tuscaloosa residents and parents just like you — we care deeply about this community, and together we are creating a better today and an even brighter tomorrow."

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