ONTARIO, Ohio — Marshall Park in Ontario will soon have an 18-hole disc golf course.
Ontario resident Andy Kissinger and Ontario High School graduates Brandon Stoffer and Ian Templeton are pooling their talents to have the course finished this summer.
They began the process in late March by mapping out a course. Templeton used a drone to help survey the land at Marshall Park and create a video of their proposed course–which they later presented to members of the Ontario City Council.
At-Large Councilman Eddie Gallo said he was impressed by all of the thought and effort they put into the proposal.
“One of the things I’m most excited about is the fact that it is an initiative coming from the citizens…The fact that a group of citizens came up with this idea, presented it to us and is doing a lot of the legwork and taking the necessary steps to see it come to fruition–that’s exciting for us as a council and administration,” Gallo said.
The cost of the project is about $25,000. Kissinger said several local businesses are serving as sponsors, including Cement Products, Inc., McClain Masonry, Haring Realty, MT Business Technologies, Baker’s Collision and Service, Avid Moments and Advanced Eye Care Center. Dr. Tim Iten and other individuals are also sponsors. The City of Ontario paid for the baskets.
Kissinger said they’re still in need of sponsorship. Those interested are encouraged to email him at andy@drballitch.com.
The three have been helping clear brush to make room for the baskets, which will be placed primarily around the walking trail. Kissinger said the course should be easy to follow. “You won’t be searching the woods for an hour, scavenging for the next hole,” he said.
“It’s not going to be invasive of the walking trail or prevent anybody from enjoying the trail,” added Gallo.
Kissinger, Stoffer and Templeton have been playing disc golf together for the past three years.
The object of disc golf is to complete the course in the fewest number of throws of the disc. Participants stand at a designated area and try to throw the disc into a basket. The player with the lowest score wins.
They said they typically travel about an hour away to play the game, which is what motivated them to establish a course closer to home. To their knowledge, this will be Richland County’s first 18-hole disc golf course.
“This is going to be all professional grade, premium level stuff,” said Kissinger. “Everything that we have is going to be top-notch.”
The course will also feature a practice basket and kiosk that will display a map of the course and game rules.
“I’m excited to see the final product,” Stoffer commented.
Once completed, it will be open and free for public use.
Gallo said there’s a possibility that the course will host tournaments, “which would be wonderful, not just for the parks, but also great for the local economy,” he said.
“You won’t be searching the woods for an hour, scavenging for the next hole,” Andy Kissinger said.
