When you think of golf in 108 Mile Ranch, the image likely leans toward lush fairways, traditional clubs, and slow, serene rounds on the 108 Resort’s course. But there is another version of “golf” flying into local consciousness—one that replaces clubs with plastic, balls with discs, and bunkers with trees: disc golf.

Thanks to local resident and disc golf enthusiast Tara Dzenis, a commitment and labour courtesy of the CRD Green Belt, and a donation from West Fraser, we now have a disc golf course. The 108 Ranch course is set up at the West Beach, on the corner of Kallum and Kitwanga.

Here’s a look at the origins of the game, its growth in British Columbia’s interior, and why 108 Mile Ranch is joining the movement.

Origins & Growth of Disc Golf

Disc golf, sometimes called frisbee golf, uses rules similar to ball golf. Players throw flying discs toward baskets, aiming to complete each hole in as few throws as possible. Modern disc golf has roots in the early 1960s when people spontaneously began using frisbees to target trees, lamp posts, and trash cans.

“Steady Ed” Headrick is one of the key figures: he invented the disc-pole hole target (the basket with chains to catch discs), formalized rules, and helped found the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) in the 1970s.

Over the decades, the sport has grown steadily worldwide.

Advantages: low infrastructure cost (just baskets, tees, sometimes concrete pads), ability to use natural landscape, wide appeal across age, skill level, and financial means. During the COVID-19 pandemic, especially, interest surged because people wanted outdoor, socially distanced recreation.

Disc Golf in the Cariboo & Interior BC

In British Columbia, the disc golf scene has been expanding.

Williams Lake opened its 18-hole “Boitanio Disc Golf Course” in October 2022. It offers beginner and advanced tee boxes, is free to use, and was designed by a local pro

The Cariboo Disc Golf Club has been active in Williams Lake. They host local tournaments (for example, their “Halloween Huckfest”) and have seen growing participation.

Quesnel has had proposals to build new courses, including an 18-hole one, using city land (West Fraser Timber Park, Fuel Management Trail property) and volunteer clubs.

So, while 108 Mile Ranch doesn’t yet appear to have a public disc golf course (based on available news), the region is showing strong momentum. The local community is increasingly recognizing disc golf as a valuable, accessible recreational option.

The 108 Mile Disc Golf Course is a beginner-level tonal course. The fairways are mostly short and narrow, winding through the aspen grove. Tee pad areas are currently marked with brightly coloured whiskers planted deep into the ground. Players of all ages are welcome.

This fall, Tara and Betuzzi will reconvene to work on installing tee pad signs, improving fairways and getting the course on UDisc, which is the go-to app for course information and keeping score during your rounds.

The following is taken from the official release from 108 Greenbelt Committee member, Chris Betuzzi.

“The 108 Greenbelt is pleased to announce that, working with local disc golf enthusiast Tara Dzenis, we have opened a nine-hole disc golf course a two-minute walk from the west beach parking lot. Follow the attached map for some great exercise and fun. Anyone can play. Bring your own disc or Frisbee. Rules are similar to golf. Each hole starts at a tee-off area. Then you throw your disc towards the red cylinder on a stand.  Each throw is one stroke. The object is to hit the cylinder or tonal. Then you total your throws for that hole. Then you complete eight more for your total score. Par is three for each hole or 27 for the nine holes.”