COVINGTON, Ky. — A disc golf course opened on Saturday in Covington’s Devou Park with the goal of bringing in more people and catering to disc golf players in the northern Kentucky and greater Cincinnati area. It appealed to Jason Kerl, who said he’s spent years playing disc golf recreationally. It even plays a role in his work life as the co-owner of The Nati Disc Golf. He said seeing the course open up in Devou Park was exciting. 

“Has great elevation, great trees to throw around, some more mature trees. I was super excited about it,” Kerl said. Parks & Rec Manager Ben Oldiges said more than 700 people had played a full round of disc golf since the opening on Saturday.

That excitement vanished after hearing news of the theft. City officials announced Wednesday that overnight, a dozen of the golf baskets were stolen from the park. The cost of the stolen baskets totals more than $5,000, according to a news release on Wednesday. Pieces of some of the baskets and their mounting systems were found near some of the concrete pads to which they were attached.

“The love that people have for the course, to see that pulled up pretty quick is pretty upsetting,” Kerl said.

“To take away disc golf courses for people just having fun — I can’t understand what your motive would be,” said Mike Kiely, who was playing disc golf at Devou Park Wednesday.

Covington Police are investigating what amounts to felony theft. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Gregg Andrews at (859) 292-2271. Police are also interested in hearing about anything or anyone suspicious wandering through the Devou trails.

In the meantime, Oldiges said Parks & Rec is trying to secure used baskets from other course to use temporarily.