A small but fast-growing sport is taking off across the country, and the small but fast-growing town of Molong is cementing its position as one of the country's capitals of the sport after being awarded hosting rights to the NSW Disc Golf Open for 2020.
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After holding the tournament last year, Central West Disc Golf will again host the state titles, becoming the first venue in the sport's short history to hold the open twice - something which has delighted president Kevin Costa.
"They came back specifically because the town got so involved as a whole, but also because of the scale of it," Costa said.
"So many people got involved, there was so much media attention, it was great."
He said the "scale of growth" of the sport in Molong was another factor which proved a positive for the association.
It could be one of the first events of the year.
- Central West Disc Golf's Kevin Costa
That growth has held steady despite coronavirus shutting down nearly all sporting endeavours across the country, with players touching their frisbee - known as a disc - and virtually nothing else.
While 50 or 60 people were regularly playing each week in Molong before coronavirus hit, those numbers haven't been sent back to nothing.
The Molong Golf Club hasn't been closed like some courses in public spaces across the country, and Costa said numbers had been holding steady, especially with the advent of the club's online competition.
The club has been running a challenge where competitors video them "putting" - throws from short distances - and putting them on social media, with a leaderboard keeping people engaged with the sport from home.
Costa is hoping by the time NSW emerges from coronavirus restrictions, more people might jump onboard with disc golf - especially with many other sports waiting for words on crowd numbers.
The crowd factor will have an impact on the NSW Open, with the disc golf championships potentially one of the first major events to be held in the region.
"We're still waiting for official word, if it's still limiting the numbers at gatherings," Costa said.
"It could be one of the first events of the year."
The NSW Open attracted many international travellers last year, and while Costa said they may miss out on those visitors, plenty of overseas players were still in the country as permanent residents.
Last year's champion Todd Newark fits into that category, while plenty of Estonians in Australia play, with disc golf the country's most popular sport for under 30s.
However, Costa said with numbers in Molong as strong as they are, there's a chance to have up to 30 competitors from the town on their own course.
Molong Golf Club vice-president Scott Oates said the disc golf was a good change to get people to the club more often.
"It's really good some people have been really engaged by it. People can com around and have a hit," he said.
Women's captain Kerry Oates said she loved the sport.
"It's fantastic, I prefer it to ball golf now."
The October long weekend, which is when the open is scheduled, is October 5-7.
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