UDisc, the official app of the Professional Disc Golf Association, announced McKinney’s first disc golf course as the No. 1 disc golf course in Texas and No. 2 in the nation for most rounds played in 2020.
Kowski said the accessibility of disc golf could be a reason why McKinney residents love the sport.
“It's something you can do at the drop of a dime,” he said. “If you have an hour free and if you wanted to stop halfway through, you can.”
Kowski added that Alex Clark Memorial Disc Golf Course is an ideal course for players of all skill levels.
McKinney has two city-run disc golf courses. The second one, Towne Lake Disc Golf Course, is “perfect for more seasoned players accustomed to challenging courses,” according to the city website.
Both courses received new baskets around the time that the Alex Clark Memorial Disc Golf Course gained national recognition. Members of the McKinney-based Chain Bombers Disc Golf Association volunteered to install baskets paid for by the city’s parks department.
In addition to the handful of tournaments the city hosts each year, the Chain Bombers organization hosts the annual McKinney Classic tournament every September. The two-day event draws about 300 players from across the country, Chain Bombers Board Member Nick Fisher said.
Kowski said that disc golf tournaments give the city a significant economic boost.
“People are flying in and spending a day or two here,” Kowski said. “That's hotel stay, that's restaurants, even traveling, [and] it's gasoline—all those add up. I'm a firm believer that parks and recreation has an important role in economic development. This is one way we do it.”
Both Kowski and Fisher said they enjoy seeing new disc golf players out on the courses. The Chain Bombers group hosts weekly learning days across the metroplex for people who have never played to get a friendly introduction to the sport.
“It's just one of those things that we would love to get more people to appreciate how fun the sport is,” Kowski said. “You could be a 5-year-old or an 80-year-old and be out there and have some fun.”
