In mid-2022, Waimate 2gether invited Vortica to consider Knottingley Park for a second disc golf course in Waimate. This south Canterbury town already had a small 9-basket course in Victoria Park, capably designed by Haydn Shore. Waimate 2gether knew the benefits disc golf brings, and Knottingley Park seemed an ideal location for a full 18-basket course that would attract visitors to the town.

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Chris and Martin spent three full days, and walked 175 kilometres to complete the complex “Destination Course” design. Play at Knottingley has already exceeded the expectations of the Waimate council, as more players visit, stay a while, and play a while. 

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The 18-baskets only use half the available space in Knottingley Park, and this is intentional. The arboretum started life with plantings beginning in 1867. And this explains the absolutely massive scale of the giant redwoods, and macrocarpa trees, which are staggering to stand beneath.

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The course is designed to challenge the best players in the world, while still allowing relative newcomers to the game to enjoy themselves on what feels like a private DGC, as all the fairways are regularly mown, and each tee has its own sign.

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Martin Galley, Vortica, and Disc Golf Wanaka hold the Knottingley Giants NZDG Tour Event there annually, commencing in 2023. To support the instant and incredible demand for tournament places, for each event, Vortica installs another 18-basket course in the spare space at Knottingley Park, and the event is considered one of the best in the country, with top golfers vying for glory in every division - both professional and amateur.

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Many players consider this to be the best course in the country, and people regularly make trips to Waimate specifically to play this challenging and rewarding design. Installed in December 2022 by Vortica, it has already captured the hearts and minds of many southern disc golfers. Not to be missed!