MONROE - Disc golf enthusiasts in Monroe won't have to drive out of town any longer to play a growing sport.
The Monroe Park and Recreation Commission, helped by a $5,000 contribution from the Monroe Kiwanis Club, developed a nine-hole disc golf course at Twining Park. The disc golf course opened Aug. 18 and there has been rave reviews.
Bill Bethke, president of the park commission, said the Kiwanis Club put the course on the map.
"It wouldn't have happened as fast as it did," Bethke said, if it wasn't for the Kiwanis donation. "It all fell together. The timing was perfect."
The park commission unanimously approved a nine-hole disc golf course at Twining Park in July. Disc golf differs from a Frisbee because the disc is smaller; it is usually eight to 10 inches in diameter with a lip. Players using various discs are required to shoot the discs into elevated baskets.
Judie Heitz, president of the Kiwanis Club, said she looked forward to supporting the effort. It wasn't a new venture for the Monroe Kiwanis Club; Kiwanis clubs have supported disc golf courses across the state, she said.
"We are community project sponsors," Heitz said. "Everything we make, we spend back into the community. This is what I wanted to do with my year."
Chris Morris, who recently moved from Monroe to Wiota, was a driving force in getting the course launched. He contacted Recreation Supervisor Marge Klinzing in September 2009 about developing a course in Monroe. One of the closest disc golf courses at the time was at Krape Park in Freeport, Ill. After Morris pitched the idea of developing a disc golf course, support grew for a site in Monroe.
Morris made a presentation to the park commission in September 2009. In October 2009, Morris, along with Wisconsin disc golf champion Chris Heeren and commissioners, walked Twining Park to get an idea about the design of a course. Terry Miller, owner of LifetimeDiscSports, met with the commission and helped design the course.
Morris said most holes on disc golf courses are between 150 and 300 feet. He said the course in Monroe is more challenging than he thought it would be. The course is set up with beginners in mind.
Morris said there's many advantages to playing disc golf.
"It's good exercise," Morris said. "It's inexpensive. It doesn't take a lot of talent. Anyone can play."
The course in Monroe doesn't have cement tee-offs or signage with the layout of each hole. However, Bethke said that cement tee-offs, signage and hole sponsors are enhancements the commission could add in the future.
There were some concerns at first about alleviating any potential conflicts with various sports that use Twining Park including softball, soccer, tennis and two playgrounds for children.
Bethke said with the way Miller designed the course, there are no holes that cross a road or path.
Bethke said the park is used a lot on weekends and during the Fourth of July.
"It gets people overall out into the park," he said. "On weekdays, it brings them out. It's a good family sport. You don't have to be in high school. Grade school kids can play it."
The Monroe Park and Recreation Commission, helped by a $5,000 contribution from the Monroe Kiwanis Club, developed a nine-hole disc golf course at Twining Park. The disc golf course opened Aug. 18 and there has been rave reviews.
Bill Bethke, president of the park commission, said the Kiwanis Club put the course on the map.
"It wouldn't have happened as fast as it did," Bethke said, if it wasn't for the Kiwanis donation. "It all fell together. The timing was perfect."
The park commission unanimously approved a nine-hole disc golf course at Twining Park in July. Disc golf differs from a Frisbee because the disc is smaller; it is usually eight to 10 inches in diameter with a lip. Players using various discs are required to shoot the discs into elevated baskets.
Judie Heitz, president of the Kiwanis Club, said she looked forward to supporting the effort. It wasn't a new venture for the Monroe Kiwanis Club; Kiwanis clubs have supported disc golf courses across the state, she said.
"We are community project sponsors," Heitz said. "Everything we make, we spend back into the community. This is what I wanted to do with my year."
Chris Morris, who recently moved from Monroe to Wiota, was a driving force in getting the course launched. He contacted Recreation Supervisor Marge Klinzing in September 2009 about developing a course in Monroe. One of the closest disc golf courses at the time was at Krape Park in Freeport, Ill. After Morris pitched the idea of developing a disc golf course, support grew for a site in Monroe.
Morris made a presentation to the park commission in September 2009. In October 2009, Morris, along with Wisconsin disc golf champion Chris Heeren and commissioners, walked Twining Park to get an idea about the design of a course. Terry Miller, owner of LifetimeDiscSports, met with the commission and helped design the course.
Morris said most holes on disc golf courses are between 150 and 300 feet. He said the course in Monroe is more challenging than he thought it would be. The course is set up with beginners in mind.
Morris said there's many advantages to playing disc golf.
"It's good exercise," Morris said. "It's inexpensive. It doesn't take a lot of talent. Anyone can play."
The course in Monroe doesn't have cement tee-offs or signage with the layout of each hole. However, Bethke said that cement tee-offs, signage and hole sponsors are enhancements the commission could add in the future.
There were some concerns at first about alleviating any potential conflicts with various sports that use Twining Park including softball, soccer, tennis and two playgrounds for children.
Bethke said with the way Miller designed the course, there are no holes that cross a road or path.
Bethke said the park is used a lot on weekends and during the Fourth of July.
"It gets people overall out into the park," he said. "On weekdays, it brings them out. It's a good family sport. You don't have to be in high school. Grade school kids can play it."
