New Cobden disc golf course opens Saturday; 10 players compete in venue's first tournament
Cobden’s new disc golf course formally opened last Saturday morning.
A ceremony was held to commemorate the opening of the course, which is located at the Cobden Community Park.
The new course also hosted its first tournament: an 18-hole, random draw doubles competition.
The opening ceremony and tournament were held in the midst of a rainy downpour and strong, blowing winds.
The ceremony was held in a shelter at the park. Tournament players then ventured out into the rain and wind.
Teams were drawn at random following the opening ceremony.
Guest speakers included Cobden Mayor Paul Zee Tomazzoli, Cobden Village Board member David Stewart and John Wingate, who spearheaded the development of the disc golf course and coordinated last Saturday’s tournament.
The mayor recognized the work which Wingate has done on the project. He also announced that the course would be named in honor of Wingate. A sign recognizing Wingate’s work will be displayed at the course.
The sign reads: “Cobden Disc Golf Course. Established 2019. In appreciation of the financial contributions from the community and to John Wingate whose many volunteer hours made the Cobden Disc Golf Course a reality.”
Wingate also was presented with a certificate and a gift card.
(Wingate also is working to establish a disc golf course at the Anna City Park.)
The players who participated in the first disc golf tournament in Cobden included:
David Webb, Cobden; Tim Green, Du Quoin; Nick DiMauro, Anna; John Wingate, Anna; Bruce Macey, Carbondale; Mike Eddings, Anna; Cyrus Lingle, Jonesboro; Clint Brashear, Anna; Patrick McDonald, Carterville; and Budd Wilson-Leigh, Carbondale.
The team of McDonald and Wilson-Leigh won the debut tournament. Both members of the winning team received an MVP Blackhole Precision portable disc golf basket.
Just before the tournament began, Wingate addressed the weather conditions and the desire of the players to compete.
“Disc golfers are diehards,” he said, adding that they would see the weather as a challenge.
All of the funds generated by the tournament will go to support the new course in Cobden.