Sources: Pat Bosco, 785-532-6237, bosco@k-state.edu;
Richard Herrman, 785-532-6412, trick@k-state.edu

Friday, Sept. 18, 2009

DISC GOLFERS URGED TO AVOID HITTING PEOPLE AND PROPERTY

MANHATTAN -- Though disc golf and its Scottish predecessor may have different dress codes, jargon and professional associations, they share at least one basic rule: You don't want to find yourself in the path of someone's tee shot. That's true for buildings and other property on campus as well.

"Recently we had an incident where disc golfers broke a window -- and the office was occupied at the time," said Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students. "Property was damaged, and a person could have been hurt as well."

Bosco said K-State is a caring community and he urges everyone to watch out for one another.

"A couple of years ago a K-State an individual walking across campus was hit on the hand by a student teeing off on K-State's unofficial but popular disc golf course. The cost: a torn collateral ligament on the middle finger of her right hand, six weeks in a splint and occupational therapy every other day.

More common casualties are windows and lamps, particularly the globes north of Anderson Hall.

"We have had complaints and damage in the past that the only logical explanation for is the golf," said Capt. Richard Herrman of the university police.

"K-State has this magnificent campus, and we absolutely want students to enjoy it, and to use it," said Pat Bosco, dean of student life. "But we share a responsibility to watch out for one another. That goes for golfers, drivers, bicyclists -- everybody's on the move, so pay attention."

Players who hit people and windows violate another basic rule: "Be cautious and courteous," states the handout that maps K-State's course, "You are playing on university grounds -- watch out for pedestrians and vehicles." The handout is available in Adobe Acrobat format at http://www.k-state.edu/ultimate

Popular times for disc golf are after 5 p.m. and on weekends, when sidewalks and parking lots are less populated. Many disc golf courses use chain-festooned steel baskets as "holes." But K-State's is an "object course," and if you don't know about it, it's practically invisible. Tee boxes are indicated by small white arcs painted over arrows on the sidewalks, and the pins are trees, lampposts and statues.