By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The longest disc golf ace on record was thrown more than 500 feet. Many players, however, especially new ones, would be pleased to throw a disc half that distance. That's why changes have been made to the Great Bend Disc Golf Course, shortening holes for more competitive rounds between average and beginning golfers. The redesign will be the first since professional disc golfer Eric McCabe helped reset the course in 2018.
"The original design was very family-friendly," said Shane Sandberg, co-founder of the Great Bend Flyers Disc Golf Club. "They had to change several holes when the dog park was added. That kind of made it impossible for us to have tournaments there because there were holes sharing fairways. That's why we brought (McCabe) down to add our new tournament layout, the harder course. Over the last four years, we've realized we don't see as many new players or families out there playing. We thought it might be nice just to add some more family-friend pin placements out there."
Prior to the change, several of the holes on the course were par threes at more than 400 feet. Short pin positions have been added on 17 of the 18 holes, and the other already had a short position. Most holes are now between 200 and 250 feet. Holes near the lake on the back nine have also been adjusted to minimize the water hazard.
"If a new player goes out and the only option they have is a pro-level course design, especially with water involved where they might be losing their discs, it might be discouraging, and they might decide maybe the game is not for them," Sandberg said. "We added the short placement so they have a chance to get some birdies, to encourage them, and make it more fun for new players."
But the McCabe-designed course is not lost. Dummy posts have been installed where each of those baskets was, and the baskets can be switched out. Sandberg said for the big invitational in the spring, one round will likely use the new positions and another round the old positions.
Chris Umphres and the Great Bend Recreation Commission funded the new sleeves, and Chuck Pike paid for the installation. Jerry Staab, one of the sport's biggest promoters in the area, did much of the installation work on his own.
"Even with a power auger, we weren't able to punch those holes deep enough, so we actually had to hire someone with a Bobcat to go out there and do that," said Sandberg. "Chuck paid for all of it."
For more information on weekly competitions at the course, usually held each Monday evening with cash prizes involved, find the Great Bend Disc Golf page on Facebook.