Pastor of Faith Community Church in Penn Hills building disc golf course for community

After playing disc golf last April with friends during quarantine, a church pastor in Penn Hills is looking to bring the sport to the community.

Jay Mitlo, pastor of Faith Community Church on Jefferson Road, wanted to utilize the woodlands property behind the church and thought disc golf would be perfect for it because the sport is becoming more popular and the nearest courses, in Schenley Park and Monroeville, are normally crowded.

“This is a great way to service the disc golf community as well as teach other people the sport,” Mitlo said.

Work began on the nine-hole course in March. Throughout the week, volunteers and church members clear out the area of vines and high grass.

“We wanted to build the course with the smallest footprint on the natural area,” Mitlo said.

Mitlo said a three-phase development plan will also be added over time to improve the experience of the course.

The first phase involves completing the course, buying discs and adding a picnic area and walking trails with signage. The second phase, building a small outdoor amphitheater, will take 12-18 months. The third phase will include clearing out another area of the property to use.

While there has been excitement over the new course, Mitlo has faced a couple of incidents of vandalism with one of his baskets being damaged.

“We’re very saddened that someone would vandalize something intended to bless the entire community,” Mitlo said.

Despite the setbacks, community members have been supportive throughout the process.

Kelly Anker, owner of Kindred Curl in Penn Hills, donated $500 to the golf course because she is a big supporter of anything positive in Penn Hills.

“I believe this can bring unity to the community even beyond the borders of Penn Hills,” she said.

Curtis Spence, an avid disc golf player, said he looks forward to helping Mitlo build interest in the sport and spread the word about the course.

“Once it is cleared out more, it’s gonna be a great course,” Spence said.

Mitlo said the park will be open to the public by the end of June and the walking trails will be marked and accessible by July. The course will be listed on UDisc, an app that displays the nearest courses.

“We are here to love and serve Penn Hills, so if we can turn this into a positive, that’s what we want to do,” Mitlo said.

Donations to help with the development are being accepted and can be mailed to Faith Church, 501 Jefferson Road, Penn Hills, PA 15235.