YOU PAID FOR IT: PB’s Disc Golf Course
The City of Poplar Bluff is home to one of the 3000 reported disc golf courses in the U.S.
Clark Allen, director of the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department says the 9-hole disc golf course has been in place at Hendrickson Park for about a year now. Set on an 8-acre plot of land, it joins a butterfly garden, playground equipment and shelters as features of the park.
The idea came about from local fans of the game, and the course was largely built by volunteers. Use of the park and the disc golf course is free to the public, and it has turned out to be a great addition not just for the players who regularly use it, but also for families and groups who book the shelters at the park.
Barry Schofield, a former resident of Poplar Bluff, helped design the park.
“I started playing the sport myself when I was an undergraduate at James Madison University,” said Schofield. He was earning his degree in Integrated Science and Technology.
He quickly fell in love with the game for a number of reasons.
“It’s a fun sport, and it is very accessible to anyone. It’s a sport you can play alone, or with a group. Any age of individual can play. There are even men and women who tour professionally,” he said.
He was very happy to have a role in bringing the sport to Poplar Bluff.
Poplar Bluff Disc Club has 20 members that meet at 6pm on Thursdays (for more info contact Corey Huff, adelia.tab@gmail.com). Back row: Aaron Vincent, Adam Vincent, Gene Shulse, Larry Morgeson (Qulin), Bobby Mangrum, Ryan Foust, Sean Foust, and Tyler Batton. Front row: Corey Huff, Bryan Hubrecht (Dexter), and Mike Wawak
Gene Shulse prepares to tee off on the 236ft uphill par 3 seventh hole.
Adam Vincent bends his drive off the eighth tee, a dogleg-right 368ft hole.
“When I saw there were no courses in Poplar Bluff, I approached Clark Allen with the idea, and he was very interested and very supportive from the beginning. People like Greg Carda got involved, and through a lot of hard work, the course became a reality.”
A few years have gone by, and Schofield now holds a Master’s Degree in Health Administration, but he doesn’t think he will ever lose his love for the sport.
“I love it because it is so versatile, and it is one of those sports where you can challenge yourself,” he explained.
Allen agrees that versatility and accessibility are what make the game so popular.
“There is a Poplar Bluff Disc Golf Association,” explained Allen, “a lot of people are discovering it’s a fun way to exercise. You can get a lot of exercise in a different and fun way.”
He says the course is built along the edge of a wooded area, so the course has an interesting combination of clear shots and obstacle shots.
“I think it’s been a great addition for our community,” Allen said, “and a lot of people are enjoying it.”
In terms of bang-for-the-buck, Allen says it has been a great addition and very cost effective. “It only cost about $3,600 to set up,” said Allen.
…and You Paid For It!