By Abigail Yasmeen Roberts | Echo
This coming semester the Upland Community Council will officially open a brand new, state of the art, competition level disc golf course in downtown Upland.
Disc golf is a flying disc sport in which players throw a disc at a target; it is played using rules similar to golf on a course of nine or 18 holes.
With the nearest park disc golf course, more than 20 miles away (Matter Park Disc Golf Course (DGC)and Memorial Hills Disc Golf Course (DGC)) the town council hopes this nearby location will increase student engagement in the Upland community.
"We're trying to think of a couple other things that college students might like," said Warren Ross, an Upland based real estate agent working on the project, functioning as the town council liaison between the town council and the park advisory board." We've been trying to get students out; we have a nice basketball court and other things that college students can come down and use. Our town manager has even suggested adding human foosball."
Taylor students have attempted playing disc golf on campus over the years. According to Ron Sutherland, special assistant to the president and president of the Upland Area Greenways, there was a time years ago when Taylor had post signs around campus, but it became a challenge to avoid buildings and pedestrians.
Sammy Morris men have occasionally played on campus using trees instead of baskets and ultimate Frisbees instead of discs. For those who have played disc golf in their high school years and tried finding ways to play on campus, this will provide a great outlet rekindle old hobbies.
"I got started playing Frisbee golf as a freshman in high school, around 2011," said senior Joey Ferguson. "Me and my friends went out and found a couple courses nearby, kind of rotated through them and found our favorites."
Sophomore Andrew Freer played at home and brought discs to school, but has not been able to find places to play in the nearby community.
Using money from the town park fund discs and baskets have been bought, but not set up yet. In order to meet competition standards, cement tee pad will also have to be set up, totaling the cost of the project to $3,000.
"We've been very fortunate to receive the funds to do great things with," said Ross. "It is too early to say when the course will open, I'd like to see it get started this fall, but it will for sure be ready by beginning of spring, up and going by April."
With this coming disc golf course as well as the building of a mile-long trail, the town council and Park Advisory board are continuing to look for ways to promote healthy living, get people outside and improve the way of life in Upland.
