Get Ready to Tee Off!

McCook's New Disc Golf Course at Barnett Park is Almost Here!

McCook Neb.-Fore! Get your discs ready, McCook, because the long-awaited disc golf course at Barnett Park is about to drop! Organizers are buzzing with excitement, aiming for a July grand opening for this awesome new addition to our community's outdoor scene.

Leading the charge are local disc golf gurus David Brewster and Kaleb Taylor, who already brought us the nationally recognized Kelley Park course. But don't think this new course is a redo—it's a whole new game!

What's the Buzz?

Brewster recently shared an update on the progress at Barnett Park:

• Baskets are IN! All 18 shining new baskets are ready for your perfect putts.

• Fairways are Flowing! Trees have been expertly trimmed, giving you clear shots and epic lines.

• Signposts are Standing Tall! All the guides are in place, and the cool new signs are just about to roll off the presses.

The Final Stretch:

Concrete and Community!

There's just one last hurdle: pouring the 28 concrete teepads. But don't worry, negotiations are flying faster than a perfectly thrown disc, and the organizers are optimistic for a summer finish!

In the meantime, don't just stand there, play! Brewster and the team decided to open the course right away, even without the fancy teepads. And folks are certainly taking advantage! During signpost installation, a count revealed 23 people playing over the course of six hours. Talk about instant popularity!

Why a Second Course? It's All About YOU!

So, why build another course when Kelley Park is already a legend (consistently ranked 2nd/3rd best in Nebraska!)? Brewster explained that while Kelley Park has a fantastic reputation, its challenging nature and muddy conditions could be discouraging for beginners.

Enter Barnett Park, designed with everyone in mind! Every single hole offers multiple teepad positions:

• Short tees: Perfect for new players, kids, and seniors.

• Long tees: For the seasoned pros and tournament titans.

This design means they can effectively double their capacity for future tournaments while achieving their primary goal—building a course that is accessible to everyone in the community. Genius!

McCook: A Disc Golf Tournament Hotspot?

This isn't just about casual play; it's about putting McCook on the map! We already host four annual tournaments, including a massive spring event that fills all 180 player slots (and currently spills over to Cambridge for a round). With Barnett Park in the mix, McCook can now welcome a whopping 270 players! This could even bump our tournaments up to A-tier status—the highest level outside of the professional tour! Right now, only Lincoln hosts one of those in Nebraska. Imagine McCook, a top-tier disc golf destination!

Community Spirit: A Winning Drive!

This project has been a true community effort, with support pouring in from every direction:

• City Power: The McCook City Council and Parks Board gave a unanimous thumbs-up, and city staff like Nate Schneider, Kyle Potthoff, and Ron Marris worked hand-in-hand with Brewster.

• Local Champions: All 18 holes are sponsored by incredible McCook businesses and organizations! Huge shout-outs go to early and critical supporters like Community Hospital, the McCook Visitors Bureau, Ace Hardware, and Game On. Brewster noted the overwhelming support from the community.

• Hospital Heroes: Brewster also credits Community Hospital's "Communities of Excellence" initiative for sparking the whole idea, seeing it as a fantastic way to boost family recreation and healthy living. Their generous donation even helped fund the initial design!

The Future Looks Bright (and Full of Flying Discs)!

With discs already soaring even before it's "officially" finished, Brewster expects Barnett Park to be a major hit. If Kelley Park's course is any indication—averaging around 1,000 rounds per month (even with underreported data!)—McCook is about to become home to one of Nebraska's most popular disc golf havens!

Catch some local disc golf action at the upcoming Summer Slam Adult Disc Golf Tournament, hosted by the Ed Thomas YMCA, happening Saturday, June 14, at Kelley Park. While the new course won't be in play yet, the excitement is palpable! Registration is open and limited to 40 players. YMCA Sports Director James Mockry emphasized that the new course will allow McCook to "continue growing the sport of disc golf in the community and surrounding areas."

So get ready, McCook! With two full courses, our town is set to become an unlikely but undeniable disc golf powerhouse in Nebraska!