WSCC will open disc golf course

VICTORY TWP. – West Shore Community College will be celebrating the grand opening of the Labyrinth Disc Golf Course on Tuesday, Sept. 25, from 11a.m. to 2 p.m., at the pavilion east of the college’s Recreation Center.

The event is open to the public and will include several speakers who were instrumental in creating the course, a ribbon cutting ceremony and a barbecue lunch.

Labyrinth consists of 24 baskets or “holes” arranged in two loops of 12 that can be played separately or together. Each 12-hole loop takes approximately 45-minutes to an hour to complete. The short course is 6,425 feet and the long course is 6630 feet. Each hole is par 3.

The course has a variety of features, including trees and elevation changes, requiring a diversity of shots that presents a challenge to all skill levels.

Disc golf is played like golf, but with flying discs. The object of the game is to land a disc in the metal baskets, which are akin to holes on a golf course, after the fewest number of throws. The idea for a disc golf course on the college campus was first conceived in 2010 by former WSCC employee and Gaming Club adviser Andrew Peterson and became a reality when the 2011-2012 WSCC Student Senate decided to spearhead the project under the leadership of then-president, Katie Menger.

“The campus is located in a beautiful natural setting with lots of trees and wildlife, and disc golf has just gotten huge in the area,” Menger said. “My hope is that the course gives students something fun to do between classes, and also provides a reason for both students and community members to spend more time exploring the outdoors at the college.”

“I’m very impressed by Katie’s vision and leadership, and proud of the work she and the other Student Senate officers have done to bring this project to fruition,” said Shelby Hughes, WSCC director of enrollment management and advisor for the Student Senate.  “The goal of our student organizations and activities program is to give students reasons to come to the campus more often and to stay on campus longer, and Labyrinth is definitely one major reason.”

Labyrinth was designed and built by the Mason County Disc Golf Organization (MCDGO), which is also responsible for other course installations in the area including Leviathan at Ludington School Forest and The Edge at Scottville Riverside Park.

“We’re very proud of our work on Labyrinth and feel honored to have had the opportunity to work with the college on this project,” said Jeff Schwass, president and founder of the MCDGO, which has been active in the area since 1992, and has hosted the annual Discraft Michigan Disc Golf State Championship for the past 17 years.

“West Shore’s beautiful campus provides an ideal setting for disc golf.  I couldn’t be happier with how the course turned out, and I know disc golf players of all ages and skill levels are just going to love it. Furthermore, the addition of this course to our area enables us to attract major disc golf tournaments and national championships. In the world of disc golf, Labyrinth is set to put northern Michigan and West Shore Community College in particular, on the map!”

“Community is a key part of our mission at West Shore, and it’s been wonderful partnering with a community association like the Mason County Disc Golf Organization on a project of this magnitude,” said Mike Moore, WSCC’s director of recreational services. “The course looks awesome and makes a truly fine addition to our outdoor recreation program. I’m looking forward to seeing state and national championships played on the college course.”

“My hope is that we get a lot of parents bringing their kids out to play – it would make a really fun family outing.”

Labyrinth is free to use and open year-round. Discs are available for rent or purchase in the Ice Arena Pro Shop and scorecards are available at the entrance to the course which includes a map along with course rules and detailed directions for playing disc golf.

Questions about the grand opening or the Labyrinth Disc Golf Course may be directed to WSCC’s Director of College Relations, Thomas Hawley, or to WSCC’s Director of Recreational Services, Michael Moore, at 231-843-9712 or mamoore@westshore.edu.