Ellsworth Outdoor Recreation offers new disc golf course

  • Published
  • By Airman Alessandra N. Gamboa
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Ellsworth's Outdoor Recreation has recently added a new disc golf course to its list of activities for Airmen.

The project began in 2009 when Leah Anderson, a former member of the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron at Ellsworth, and her husband, John, a disc golf enthusiast, proposed the idea to the wing commander.

Mrs. Anderson said she wanted to provide Airmen with an opportunity to get out and be active, as well as make the best use of existing land.

"There was plenty of space to be used, with little need for cutting or filling areas with dirt," said Senior Airman Wesley Nesbitt, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron engineering geobase technician and co-designer of the course. "The only limitations my coworker, fellow 28th CES engineering geobase technician, Senior Airman Reuben Gingerich, and I received before we designed the course were to ensure no discs flew through pedestrian traffic areas or the memorial area near the course."

With only those boundaries in which to work, Nesbitt said he and Gingerich thoroughly enjoyed working together with the Andersons to develop the course design and make the course a reality.

"We had a lot of fun designing the course with Leah and John as our guides," Nesbitt said. "They accompanied us as we input data into geographic information systems software to map out precise locations of the 18 baskets and pads."

The course, which is within walking distance from dormitories for unaccompanied Airmen, has also been tested to meet Professional Disc Golf Association standards. Nesbitt said it will soon be added to the nationally recognized PDGA list of courses.

Due to the versatility of disc golf, Airmen and their friends or family members are able to get a good workout and have a good time regardless of age or skill level, Nesbitt said.
"The great thing about disc golf is that it has enough intricacies to be challenging for more advanced players, but is also basic enough for a beginner to pick up a disc and start learning," he said.

Beginners who don't own a disc, may rent them from the 28th Force Support Squadron Outdoor Recreation office, located at 2570 George Drive.

"We are here to help Airmen find ways to relax and stay fit at the same time," said Al Nelson, 28th FSS Outdoor Recreation director. "This is one way to do it."

For more information, contact Outdoor Recreation at (605) 385-2999.