MONROE - Chris Morris started playing disc golf last year and it didn't take him long to get hooked.
Morris started playing disc golf with friends at Krape Park in Freeport and now he wants to make a pitch for a disc golf course in Monroe. Morris will make a presentation to the Monroe Parks and Recreation Board Wednesday about the development of a course at Twining Park.
Disc golf is similar to golf with a couple of adaptations.
"Instead of using clubs, you use a disc," Morris said. "Instead of shooting into a hole, you shoot into an elevated basket."
There are 2,571 disc golf courses nationwide registered with the Disc Golfers Association, but one of the closest ones to Monroe is in Freeport, Ill.
"For me I like walking," Morris said. "It's great exercise. For players as a sport, after you buy a few discs, it's basically free. "You just have to drive there."
A disc differs from a Frisbee because the disc is smaller; it is usually eight to 10 inches in diameter with a lip. There are various discs players have at their disposal. There are drivers, mid range and putting discs.
Morris said a course with 18 baskets, a rule board and a design would cost an estimated $7,000.
Most disc golf courses are free and open to the public. Morris said DeForest has a course where there is a $5 fee to play all day.
He contends there is a demand for a disc golf course in Monroe and the parks program could offer leagues and tournaments.
"I would imagine people would drive from Freeport and Rockford if Monroe had a good course," Morris said.
Paul Klinzing, Monroe Parks and Recreation supervisor, said the big thing he wants to know is the cost.
"We have little idea of how many people are interested," Klinzing said.
He said another factor to consider is how well the disc golf will fit in with other sports and youth activities at Twining Park that includes softball, soccer, tennis and two playgrounds for children to play.
"The park is used by a lot of different people," Klinzing said. "You would want to make sure that fits in well with what is out there."
The disc golf course in Freeport was developed in 2003. Space is key in setting up a disc golf course, said Jack Carey, executive director of the Freeport Park District. The course in Freeport covers 60 of Krape Park's 120 acres.
Carey said in 2003, Freeport paid $8,000 for materials for the disc golf course. The materials and labor for the tee boxes and installing the baskets were done by the city, but he estimated the total cost would be $9,500 to $10,000.
The Krape Park course is known for changes in terrain. Several holes are designed with a natural setting including two holes in the middle of trees and another where disc golfers have to maneuver around a tree.
"As with any new activity that would bring people to a park, you would want to stop and consider who the neighbors are and what that impact might be," Carey said.
Morris started playing disc golf with friends at Krape Park in Freeport and now he wants to make a pitch for a disc golf course in Monroe. Morris will make a presentation to the Monroe Parks and Recreation Board Wednesday about the development of a course at Twining Park.
Disc golf is similar to golf with a couple of adaptations.
"Instead of using clubs, you use a disc," Morris said. "Instead of shooting into a hole, you shoot into an elevated basket."
There are 2,571 disc golf courses nationwide registered with the Disc Golfers Association, but one of the closest ones to Monroe is in Freeport, Ill.
"For me I like walking," Morris said. "It's great exercise. For players as a sport, after you buy a few discs, it's basically free. "You just have to drive there."
A disc differs from a Frisbee because the disc is smaller; it is usually eight to 10 inches in diameter with a lip. There are various discs players have at their disposal. There are drivers, mid range and putting discs.
Morris said a course with 18 baskets, a rule board and a design would cost an estimated $7,000.
Most disc golf courses are free and open to the public. Morris said DeForest has a course where there is a $5 fee to play all day.
He contends there is a demand for a disc golf course in Monroe and the parks program could offer leagues and tournaments.
"I would imagine people would drive from Freeport and Rockford if Monroe had a good course," Morris said.
Paul Klinzing, Monroe Parks and Recreation supervisor, said the big thing he wants to know is the cost.
"We have little idea of how many people are interested," Klinzing said.
He said another factor to consider is how well the disc golf will fit in with other sports and youth activities at Twining Park that includes softball, soccer, tennis and two playgrounds for children to play.
"The park is used by a lot of different people," Klinzing said. "You would want to make sure that fits in well with what is out there."
The disc golf course in Freeport was developed in 2003. Space is key in setting up a disc golf course, said Jack Carey, executive director of the Freeport Park District. The course in Freeport covers 60 of Krape Park's 120 acres.
Carey said in 2003, Freeport paid $8,000 for materials for the disc golf course. The materials and labor for the tee boxes and installing the baskets were done by the city, but he estimated the total cost would be $9,500 to $10,000.
The Krape Park course is known for changes in terrain. Several holes are designed with a natural setting including two holes in the middle of trees and another where disc golfers have to maneuver around a tree.
"As with any new activity that would bring people to a park, you would want to stop and consider who the neighbors are and what that impact might be," Carey said.
