The long-awaited disc golf course in Queens Park is ready to fly.

Disc golf enthusiasts have been test driving the course for the past few weeks, but it will be launched officially on Sunday.

Healthy Families Invercargill manager Jared Cappie said the journey through to completion of the course had been a long one, but it was great it was now ready for everyone to use.

The idea for the course was first suggested by the Invercargill youth council. It was initially rejected by the city council, but later approved after collaboration between Healthy Families Invercargill, Sport Southland, the Invercargill City Council and Disc Golf South.

Funding came from the Invercargill Licensing Trust, Community Trust of Southland, and the Invercargill Active Communities Funding Scheme. The funders have shared the $26,000 cost equally.

The course is the first of its kind to be built in Invercargill.

It includes 18 ‘holes’, with hole number one near the Herbert St park entrance.

The launch event will start at 1pm. People will have the opportunity to give disc golf a go, learn a few hints and tips, and test their skills in a closest to the pin competition. A prize, provided by the ILT, will be available for the closest to the pin competition.

A Choice As Sizzle will also be available, and coffees and smoothies will be sold.

Having the disc golf course in Invercargill’s premier park not only gave people the opportunity to get out and get active, but it also gave families and individuals another attraction to enjoy, Cappie said.

It also aligned well with work the Department of Conservation was doing in its Healthy Nature, Healthy People initiative, which encouraged people to use the natural spaces around them to benefit their health and wellbeing.

Sport Southland chief executive Brendon McDermott said the disc golf course was a fantastic and free way for families to spend time together, being active and enjoying the outdoors.

The course was used on Wednesday night for the Vodafone Workplace Challenge, run by Sport Southland, and feedback from the large number of people giving it a go had been excellent, he said.

Photo: Healthy Families Invercargill manager Jared Cappie and Sport Southland chief executive Brendon McDermott are excited about the launch of the new disc golf course in Queens Park.