Popular disc golf course in New Jersey being forced to shut down

The Disc Golf World Championships are underway at a resort just outside Burlington, Vermont.

But about seven hours to the south, a popular disc golf course is being forced to shut down by the state of New Jersey.

Stafford Woods in Vorhees Township, New Jersey, is highly ranked as a layout and is one of the most visited courses in the state by disc golfers.

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection, however, is ordering the course to be shut down and the area is going to be restored as open space with a walking trail, according to a report by nj.com, which indicates “all disc golf components, including baskets, tee pads and signage from the property the township had purchased in 2004” are to be removed.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection had determined the property deed on which the course sits allows for “passive” recreation and disc golf is considered an “active” recreation.

NJ.com says the township was not part of the decision-making process, and that it was the department of state that made the ruling.

A spokesperson for the agency did say the notice to close is under review: “In an effort to be responsive to the extensive public feedback we have received, we will closely review the restoration plan and ongoing uses of the property and will be in further communication with the township.”