A scenic stretch along Poke Bayou is now home to Batesville Arkansas’ newest outdoor attraction as city leaders officially opened The Rocks Disc Golf Course at Poke Bayou Park.
The ribbon cutting, hosted by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, marked the city’s first public disc golf course and highlighted the rapid growth of outdoor recreation in the region.
“This is such an exciting day for Batesville,” said Amanda Roberts with the Chamber. “We’re thrilled to welcome families and visitors to experience one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.”
Disc golf continues to surge in popularity, with more than 16,000 courses worldwide and participation increasing more than 70% over the past 5 years. Local leaders say The Rocks positions Batesville Arkansas as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Located near White Drive and Barnett Drive, the course winds through natural terrain along Poke Bayou, offering scenic views and a challenging layout for players of all skill levels.
Damien Deloach of the Disc Golf Batesville Club, along with designer Kyle Downs and local volunteers, helped bring the course to life through countless hours of work clearing land and designing the layout.
Batesville Parks and Recreation Director Lowen Lermitte praised the collaboration behind the project, calling it a true community effort.
The course also honors the vision of former parks director Jeff Owens and is supported by local sponsors including First Community Bank, Atlas Asphalt, White River Materials, Citizens Bank, Custom CNC Machining, Lyon College, White River Health, and Poke Bayou Outfitters.
Officials say outdoor recreation contributes more than $7 billion annually to Arkansas’ economy and supports over 68,000 jobs statewide.
Mayor Rick Elumbaugh said the new course reflects Batesville’s commitment to expanding quality outdoor experiences for residents and visitors.
With the first disc officially thrown, The Rocks Disc Golf Course is now open to the public, offering a new destination for recreation, tourism, and family fun in Batesville Arkansas.
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