Ouachita to get disc golf

Ouachita is getting a disc golf course. What is disc golf?

According to disclife.com, “disc golf is a lot like traditional ‘ball’ golf, except players use specially made plastic flying discs instead of balls and clubs, and throw them for ‘par’ at an above-ground target instead of a hole in the ground.”

In other words, you are trying to hit 18 different basket-like targets with a Frisbee in the least amount of throws as possible (the only reason it is not called “Frisbee golf” is because that is a registered trademark of the Frisbee company).

Now that everyone is up to “par” on their disc-golf knowledge, let’s talk about why Ouachita decided to get a course on campus.

Disc golf offers much of the same positive attributes as “ball golf.” It is a scenic sport that is easy to learn, but takes a lifetime to master. Basically it is a good excuse to get outside.

On a campus where Ultimate Frisbee reigns supreme, disc golf should fit in just fine.

In the future, Ouachita plans to host several state-wide tournaments and have disc-golf as an intramural sport.

After Thanksgiving the Ouachita bookstore will begin carring discs and merchandise. The university has gone all out for disc golf.

Ouachita’s new 18-hole, championship-caliber disc golf course is under construction.

Tom Pitchford, of Fort Smith, is designing and installing the course during the next two weeks. He is a seasoned veteran when it comes to disc golf, and he has designed some of the top courses around the state.

Pitchford’s latest course design was in Russellville. He designed a scenic 18-hole course around Lake Dardanelle and won an award for that course.

Ouachita’s course is currently under construction, and Pitchford has asked for numerous volunteers to help. The course is going to be located by the intramural fields and the cross country trail. “Anyone who wants to help out with some digging just come down and look for a big white truck,” Pitchford said.

He should be down around those fields working for the next two weeks. Anyone who wants to be a part of this course should go there and get to work.

The course should be completed during the Thanksgiving break and should be ready for play once students return on campus.

To find out more about the sport of disc golf look it up at discgolf.com or go down and talk to people involved in constructing Ouachita’s new course.