Up the hill after dark
Disc golf gives students study break; tournament brings Frisbee tossers together
Juliana O'Neill
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: Features
Trees, rocks, statues of our forefathers and eagles: Nothing is safe on campus. Around 10 p.m., these everyday objects transform into holes for disc golf.
"You don't need anything but a Frisbee," freshman Lee Kauffman said. "You can wander around and hit stuff."
Disc golf's rules work like golf's. Players attempt to hit a hole in the least amount of throws. The player with the lowest score wins.
About 15 students chose to spend their Saturday evening playing disc golf; they gathered on Oct. 6 for Mu Alpha fraternity's annual Frisbee Golf Tournament.
Every year players introduce fresh participants to the adjustable campus course that winds across parking lots and streets, over sidewalks and between buildings.
The veteran players know the par and exact starting point for each hole.
"We added a stroke to some of the holes so we can play around the construction," said sophomore Zach Howard, tournament coordinator.
Some players come to the tournament for competition, but most for fun. A mischievous player has hung two discs on the claws of the eagle statue at the entrance to campus on Hillsdale and College streets. As players wait to begin, they chat and toss a Frisbee.
Throughout the game, players engage in jocular banter, and everyone celebrates when a player hits the hole.
For the first hole, the players throw the Frisbee across the Lane Hall parking lot. When a car pulls into the parking lot, the players merely consider it another challenge to the game.
"So far, no serious damage to anything," Howard said, smiling.
Each hole tests a different Frisbee skill. Some involve throwing long distances while others require precise aim to hit the small holes. For the third hole, the player must hit the tree on the snack bar patio.
To get the Frisbee onto the patio, Howard uses a special throw - the hammer. This throw causes the Frisbee to travel vertically, then flatten out.
Two players tie for first place in the male and female competitions. After playing extra holes, junior Paul Mueller, with three under par, and freshman Patience Henry, with seven over par, emerge victorious.
In addition to the tournament, these players play at least once or twice a week.
Despite a variety of reasons to play, the Frisbee is the key.
"I love Frisbees, everything about Frisbees," sophomore Michael Black said. "Disc golf is just another sport with a Frisbee."
A game lasts between 40 minutes and an hour. Students play at night on campus, which makes the game more challenging. But it is also practical.
"You don't have to worry about hitting some poor, unfortunate passer-by," Black said.
Henry said she considers disc golf a "great study break." Most players said they enjoy relaxing at night with their friends after a long day of classes, studying and mayhem.
"Basically, at night either you've wasted a day or been productive," Henry said. She said when she gets the chance to play, she thinks, "Why not? I'm at college."
"You don't need anything but a Frisbee," freshman Lee Kauffman said. "You can wander around and hit stuff."
Disc golf's rules work like golf's. Players attempt to hit a hole in the least amount of throws. The player with the lowest score wins.
About 15 students chose to spend their Saturday evening playing disc golf; they gathered on Oct. 6 for Mu Alpha fraternity's annual Frisbee Golf Tournament.
Every year players introduce fresh participants to the adjustable campus course that winds across parking lots and streets, over sidewalks and between buildings.
The veteran players know the par and exact starting point for each hole.
"We added a stroke to some of the holes so we can play around the construction," said sophomore Zach Howard, tournament coordinator.
Some players come to the tournament for competition, but most for fun. A mischievous player has hung two discs on the claws of the eagle statue at the entrance to campus on Hillsdale and College streets. As players wait to begin, they chat and toss a Frisbee.
Throughout the game, players engage in jocular banter, and everyone celebrates when a player hits the hole.
For the first hole, the players throw the Frisbee across the Lane Hall parking lot. When a car pulls into the parking lot, the players merely consider it another challenge to the game.
"So far, no serious damage to anything," Howard said, smiling.
Each hole tests a different Frisbee skill. Some involve throwing long distances while others require precise aim to hit the small holes. For the third hole, the player must hit the tree on the snack bar patio.
To get the Frisbee onto the patio, Howard uses a special throw - the hammer. This throw causes the Frisbee to travel vertically, then flatten out.
Two players tie for first place in the male and female competitions. After playing extra holes, junior Paul Mueller, with three under par, and freshman Patience Henry, with seven over par, emerge victorious.
In addition to the tournament, these players play at least once or twice a week.
Despite a variety of reasons to play, the Frisbee is the key.
"I love Frisbees, everything about Frisbees," sophomore Michael Black said. "Disc golf is just another sport with a Frisbee."
A game lasts between 40 minutes and an hour. Students play at night on campus, which makes the game more challenging. But it is also practical.
"You don't have to worry about hitting some poor, unfortunate passer-by," Black said.
Henry said she considers disc golf a "great study break." Most players said they enjoy relaxing at night with their friends after a long day of classes, studying and mayhem.
"Basically, at night either you've wasted a day or been productive," Henry said. She said when she gets the chance to play, she thinks, "Why not? I'm at college."
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