“There are no disc golf courses in Jackson County” States disc golf enthusiast and SOU student Charles Mathias. A crime against the humanity of Southern Oregon if you ask him, but Charles is looking to change things for the enrollment of SOU and the community of Ashland by installing an on campus disc golf course.
The proposal is to plant a 9-hole disc golf course in the area behind Suzanne Holmes and the Siskiyou Arboretum, an installment which would cost the university between $4000 and $7000 dollars. “Disc golf is a great way to bring the community together, not only would SOU students benefit from having an on campus disc golf course but it would bring the community of Ashland a lot of joy.” Claims Mathias, and with over 2000 disc golf courses in the United States and Canada, and 250 of those courses on college campuses it’s hard to argue.
What is disc golf you may ask? Unlike like traditional golf, disc golf is played by throwing a more streamlined looking Frisbee® disc into a supported metal basket, instead of hitting a ball into a hole. But, the goal is the same: to complete the course in the fewest number of shots.
How much will it cost to play? The SOU campus course would be a public course meaning anyone can play, and no charge would be involved with playing. Discs for playing cost in the range of $8-$15 dollars and can be found at most any sporting goods store.
When should SOU students expect a disc golf course? Charles’ petition has gained the support of the school board and is only waiting on approval for construction. Charles states “it’s only a matter of time right now, but construction could start happening by the end of Spring Term which means we could have students playing on the disc golf course by the Fall.”
Charles claims that a disc golf course would bring a lot of attraction to campus, an attribute that may even boost SOU’s enrollment. So whether you’re a seasoned disc golfer, a stranger to the sport, young, old or anything in between if you’re in the Ashland area disc golf may be an option for you on your lazy Sunday.
