ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — At first Walker Avenue resident Alan McElroy wasn’t sure he wanted to live across the street from a disc golf course.

Some of the holes, or baskets, were too close to the houses along the street and some long-flying discs were causing a little bit of a stir.

“Some of the targets were a little close to Walker Avenue and for certain throwers some errant discs were going into the road,” City Administrator Ken Grimes said. “By Monday we had gotten enough feedback that we relocated five of the targets.

“I have spoken to just about everybody personally who lives on Walker Avenue and I think they are happy with the adjustments. We feel like that’s a positive.”

McElroy was convinced and addressed the City Council June 25 on the matter.

“Mayor, we appreciate the city being a good neighbor and we’re trying to do also,” also McElroy said. “Ken came out there yesterday, the Frisbee golf was moved and I don’t think we’re going to have any more trouble. Ken came out and watched them and I think everything’s going to be all right.”

In fact, McElroy is thinking of starting a new business for himself.

“Can I get permission to sell beer and cold drinks out of my wife’s van?” he deadpanned.

But that need may already be addressed. Pleasure Island Tiki at Sportsman Marina is a short disc throw from the course as well and is a place for hot and thirsty golfers to get a cold drink.

“It coincides with the Tiki Bar opening, which is extremely successful,” Grimes said. “A lot of people are going to the Tiki Bar that like disc golf.”

As soon as the baskets were up patrons were out on the course on June 20. By the next Monday the baskets were relocated and it’s been seeing steady traffic since.

“People started playing it that day,” Grimes said. “Since Thursday Sean (Brumley) made a Facebook page, Orange Beach Disc Golf, and it now has 226 likes with no advertising. The goal is to have an amenity that people can enjoy for free.”

And, Grimes said, in the future it could grow into an attraction that could bring lucrative disc golf tournaments to town.

“If you give us a couple of years, we believe by the time we get a true layout somewhere, maybe near the Sportsplex, when we get a true 18-hole professional type course, we’ll be able to attract thousands to tournaments that normally would go somewhere else,” he said. “We have a plan.

“The Sports Commission is more excited than you know because this at least gets us on the map. They’ve got people knocking on the door to bring tournaments that would spend their money on hotels and eat in restaurants.”

Beth Gendler, vice president of sales for the Sports Commission and for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism, said introducing the sport will be a draw.

“With the addition of the new course, it allows us to pursue these exciting sporting events,” she said. “We are always excited to see the cities develop new facilities for sporting events. It’s a great way to bring new people to the area.”

The course is located on city property that has waterfront on Terry Cove. On the north end of the parcel is the city’s dog park and the disc course is on the south end.

It’s a prime piece of property with a view of Perdido Pass that could someday be put to use in other ways.

“Everybody knows, like the dog park, when a better use of the property comes along we will relocate and what we’ll try to do is accommodate,” Grimes said.

To see a gallery of pictures from the course: http://www.gulfcoastnewstoday.com/area_news/collection_72b7a0be-df58-11e2-aaeb-0019bb2963f4.html