“We are very excited to be working on a project that will bring something new and exciting to campus,” Trapp said. “I’ve been playing disc golf for 15 years. I’ve played courses all over the country and am passionate about the game. I’m looking forward to growing our sport and sharing it with others.”
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Trapp, who has recently completed Clark State’s LPN program and is now entering the RN program, said the disc golf course will be open to all Clark State students, faculty, staff and the general public.
The disc golf course will wrap and flow around the entire Springfield campus, with Hole 1 located by the tennis courts and Hole 9 located near the pond behind the LRC.
“It will be a beautiful walk around campus,” Trapp said.
To play disc golf, a player starts a ‘hole’ by throwing from a tee-pad towards the ‘target’ which is a basket, Trapp said.
“The player keeps track of the number of throws much like a ball golfer would keep track of swings,” Trapp said.
Each ‘hole’ on the course will either have a par 3, 4 or 5 option, Trapp said.
“We will have mostly par 3 holes with a few longer par-4 options,” Trapp said. “As the new player develops their skill-set, they will be able to throw further and further.”
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Trapp hopes to have the course ready for play by the beginning of the fall semester, as flags are already in place showing a rough layout of the course.
The disc golf project is being funded primarily through donations from local businesses and individuals. However, Clark State will be providing some funds as well.
After the course is completed, Trapp hopes for weekly league play, small tournaments with other local colleges, lessons for students and staff and community-based disc golf events.
“It will be nice to see faculty, staff and students enjoying the game together,” Trapp said. “The course will be easily accessible for quick play on student breaks throughout the day. It’s also exciting that people in the local community can walk over and enjoy the DGC [disc golf course] as well.”
The Clark State course will be the second disc golf course in Springfield. Snyder Park added a course in the fall of last year.
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