Linwood and Barbara Starratt, owners of the Oran Valley Golf Practice center on Route 92, are bringing a new sport to the area — ‘soccer golf.’

Soccer golf, known also as foot golf, is believed to have originated in the Netherlands in the mid-2000s. The sport is played with the rules of golf but with a soccer ball. The point of the game is for each player to kick a soccer ball into a hole in as little kicks possible.

“We wanted to at least give people around here the chance to try it,” Linwood said.

The Starratts have been building a 987-yard, nine-hole soccer golf course since early April. The course has a par of 36 and includes hazards — such as deep grass — as a regular golf course would.

Linwood said he got the idea to build a soccer golf course after visiting family in Maine, where he was introduced to the sport. He said there are about 120 other soccer golf courses in the United States like the one at Oran Valley Golf Practice Center — but he believes the sport will catch on quickly and more will be created in the next few years.

“Soccer is gaining popularity in the United States,” Linwood said. “And soccer is a sport many younger kids are already playing. Soccer golf could help them learn the finesse of soccer skills … They can learn that you can’t just kick the ball as hard as you want to all of the time.”

The Starratts said they have seen an interest from the public, and have already had several people stop to ask about it.

The grand opening of Oran Valley’s soccer golf is Thursday, May 14. The cost is $6 for nine holes and $10 for 18-holes. Sneakers or turf shoes are permitted, but cleats will not be allowed. Soccer balls can be rented for $2 each.

Children 14 years and younger must be accompanied by someone 16 years or older.

Oran Valley Golf Practice Center is located at 8710 Cazenovia Road in Cazenovia.

Hayleigh Gowans is a reporter for the Cazenovia Republican. She can be reached at [email protected].