A makeover for Cape disc golf course

Who knew? The disc golf course at Cape Henlopen State Park may be one of the very first courses in the world, and it was designed by one of the pioneers of the sport in the United States.

For decades, not much was done to upgrade the course. That all changed when Miguel Garces retired from south New Jersey to Milton and started a mission to improve the course.

In collaboration with the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, state park staff and local area disc golfers, the course has received a major upgrade this year.

The course, located between the McBride Beach Bathhouse and the Seaside Nature Center, was designed in 1978 by Ed Headrick, one of the founders of the sport. “The course is one of the most unique in the country since it is located on sand dunes,” Garces said.

In the last few years, park staff has constructed and helped to install all new white tee pads, the most commonly played of three tees for most holes. New signage has also been installed.

This past year, the Cape Henlopen Disc Golf Club and Delaware Disc Golf began to raise funds to purchase new disc golf baskets for the course. “The existing baskets have been slowly rusting over the years and badly needed to be replaced,” Garces said.

The Friends became aware of the project and offered to match the funds raised by the clubs. Garces said due to the generosity of the Friends, the fundraising allowed the park to purchase new baskets by the end of 2021.

Garces led the effort to install the baskets with help from local area disc golf volunteers and park staff. Additionally, new mats for the tee pads were also installed, making for a major refurbishment of the course.

“Disc golf is a fun sport for the family and easy to play, yet challenging. The sport provides a unique recreational…