KALAHEO — Aside from being “Santa in Paradise,” Kalaheo resident Phil Worwa has worked toward introducing disc golf to Kauai for at least the past year and a half. “I needed to do this. I had a feeling that this
KALAHEO — Aside from being “Santa in Paradise,” Kalaheo resident Phil Worwa has worked toward introducing disc golf to Kauai for at least the past year and a half.
“I needed to do this. I had a feeling that this was really important to me,” Worwa said. “Disc golf really is a passion of mine. I have discs in my bag that are 30 years old. I just felt that it needed to be done here.”
That dream may soon turn into reality. Worwa and long-time friend John Rivera have always talked about creating such a course. Things became serious about a month ago when Rivera told Worwa about a possible 10-acre site in Kalaheo.
Rivera is the steward of the property but said he’s in the process of purchasing it. He hopes to own the land within the next six months.
“We’re in the infant stage. It’s an idea. I have a place and he has the time … This could be awesome,” Rivera said. “I think we can make it something special. Something memorable for visitors … this gem of a place in the middle of a residential area and it would be the most fun thing. That’s what I’m going for.
“At the very least, it’s going to happen anyway. We can make a course for family and friends, but ideally it would be a commercial thing,” he added.
The property is forested and would have to be cleared. Worwa said he’s willing to do the physical labor himself but will need help.
“Let’s just sit down and get an elective of people … a landscaper guy or an irrigation guy or a farmer guy. Let’s see what this property can do and make it a cool thing where people think, ‘Wow. This has really been thought out,’” Worwa said. “I start talking disc golf, everybody would jump up at you (and say), ‘You’re kidding me. That’s a great idea. We need to have something like that.’ I think there’s enough interested people that would want to do that.”
Worwa added several ideas of other possibilities are floating around. The land could also have room for other activities including agriculture and parkour. A concession stand is also possible, he said.
“I kind of think out of the box sometimes,” Worwa said.
Worwa said his interest in the sport started years ago when he lived in San Diego.
“It was very reasonable, very cheap and it was easy to take ladies with you,” he said. “Eighteen holes only takes you an hour and 45 minutes. You just have to carry a couple of discs … People just hang out and it was really cool.”
Rivera said he shares Worwa’s enthusiasm for the sport because disc golf was prevalent at Humboldt State University in California, where he attended from 1997 through 2001.
“Disc golf there is everywhere,” he said. “I think it’d be perfect … now we’re going to do it.”
Contact Worwa at 619-417-0050 for information.
