Driftwood Golf & Fitness Club in Clearwater is now the new home of Airborn Disc Golf Preserve, featuring two world class disc golf courses designed by owner Cale Leiviska, a professional course designer and pro disc golfer currently ranked 21st in the world.

The sport of disc golf is played much like traditional golf, but instead of clubs and balls, players use a flying disc, like a Frisbee. Like golf, the object of disc golf is to complete each hole in the fewest throws.

Leiviska purchased the property and proceeded to design and build two professional quality 18-hole disc golf courses on it, opening them to the public this spring. The first, Timberwolf, is a championship level, par 61 course with five different bodies of water and raised and terraced greens. Its currently rated 4.8 out of 5 stars.

The second course, Lynx, although still challenging, is the easier of the two courses, featuring a mix of open and wooden throws. A par 57 course, it’s currently rated 4.7 out of 5 stars. Both courses offer a restroom and are dog and cart friendly. Although professional quality, players of all abilities are welcome.

Leiviska is a Prodigy Disc Golf Course Designer and has previously designed 19 other disc golf courses around the state and Canada.

Along with the two disc golf courses, The Preserve offers an on-site full service Pro Shop, open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday through Sunday. There’s even a lost and found for players missing items to check out on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Holes at both courses are sponsored by businesses and individuals, including local Clearwater businesses and retired Minnesota Twins player Joe Mauer.

The new courses are already seeing tournament action. Over the 4th of July weekend, The Preserve hosted the PDGA’s (Professional Disc Gold Association) Elite Series fourth stop of the 2020 Disc Golf Pro Tour – The Preserve Championship, with Leiviska as asst. tournament director. Leiviska himself came in 12th out of 104 players with -32 par.

The Preserve is a pay-to-play course, daily fee is $10. Its Tuesday disc golf league is open to everyone no matter their skill level; players can begin at any time from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and either find a group to throw with or come with their own.

Along with the opportunity to improve their game and learn from other players of different skill levels, there are also cash and prizes to aim for.

Located along the banks of the Mississippi River, The Preserve is touted as “more than just a disc golf course, it is a disc golf and wildlife sanctuary,” and is already the #1 rated course in Minnesota. Leiviska was a degree in conservation biology and a background in forest management and designed The Preserve to also feature a walking path for people who just enjoy nature and being outside.

Airborn Disc Golf Preserve is located at 1 Eagle Dr. in Clearwater. For more information visit www.airbornpreserve.com.