Tosa home to county's first wheelchair-accessible disc golf course

enlarge photo

Peter Zuzga

Steve Garbe of New Berlin throws his disk during the Spring Fling Disc Golf clinic.

Peter Zuzga

Steve Garbe of New Berlin throws his disk during the Spring Fling Disc Golf clinic.

Close

A new wheelchair-friendly disc golf course, the first of its kind in the state, was unveiled Saturday during the Spring Fling Disc Golf event at Wil-O-Way Underwood, 10602 Underwood Parkway in Wauwatosa.

Nearly 50 people came to check out the new three-hole course designed specifically for people with disabilities. It features a paved walkway and markers that make the course accessible by wheelchair. The course also offers shorter distances and a less challenging terrain, making it a great course for people with disabilities, as well as newcomers to the sport.

"We're hoping this will be a small satellite to something bigger," said Mike Bonk, disabilities recreation manager at the Milwaukee County Office of Persons with Disabilities. "We hope this will take off and become a bigger thing."

The Underwood course is one of two courses designed for people with disabilities. There is a second three-hole disc golf course located at Wil-O-Way Grant, 207 Lake Drive, South Milwaukee. However, that course is not as wheelchair accessible.

Both courses were developed so residents with disabilities can be more active.

Saturday's event, hosted jointly by the county and Easter Seals, gave families the opportunity to learn more about the sport and to get tips from pros from the Great Lakes Disc Golf Association.

Jane Garbe of New Berlin attended with her sons, Tim and Steve, who both have cognitive disabilities. They enjoyed learning about the sport, which she said was an easy and inexpensive way to keep active.

"It's really very fun," she said. "It's something you can do anywhere. If you can toss (the disc), you can play disc golf."

Jeff Bzdawka of Cudahy attended the event with his son, Scott, who has special needs. Jeff said disc golf is a great option to help diversify his son's activities, which right now are centered around Special Olympics.

"It's nice to get the kids out doing different activities," he said. "You don't need a lot of equipment. It's a good thing for special needs people to do."

Both the Underwood and Grant courses are free to the public, but players must bring their own discs.

Learn more about the courses at County.Milwaukee.Gov/WilOWayDiscGolf.

Get up and play

WHAT: Easter Seals will hold disc golf classes for people with disabilities.

WHERE: Wll-O-Way Underwood, 10602 Underwood Parkway, Wauwatosa

WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday nights June 11 through Aug. 13

COST: $35

REGISTER: via the Easter Seals registration booklet being mailed out this week; to get on the mailing list ontact Dan Anderson at (414) 482-0133, Ext. 2302, or dana@eastersealswise.com

WHAT: Easter Seals will sponsor disc golf tournaments.

WHEN: June 27, July 25, Aug. 15

WHERE: Wil-O-Way Underwood

PARTICIPATION FEE: $10

REGISTER: via the Easter Seals registration booklet