Michael LaLonde has lived in Bend since 2005, and he has fond memories of playing the Central Oregon Community College disc golf course with his young kids. But t he course was removed in 2014 to make room for new student housing . When LaLonde started a new job as vice president of finance and operations for COCC about a year and a half ago, one of the first things he inquired about was a possible return of disc golf on the campus.
"There's still a lot of space, why don't we put it back in?" LaLonde recalled. "There was some pushback a little bit. People are concerned about trash and fire .
.. but working with the Central Oregon Disc Golf Club, they've been great.
They're helping police it and making sure people clean up after themselves. So far it's been great, no complaints at all." Ten years after being shuttered, one of Central Oregon's original designated disc golf courses has returned to the COCC campus in northwest Bend.
The nine-hole Cascade Forest Disc Golf Course, which opened on Aug. 30, is a completely different track than the former one, but located in the same general area adjacent to the library parking lot. LaLonde and COCC partnered with volunteers from the Central Oregon Disc Golf Club (CODGC) on the planning, and the course features all new baskets, and gravel and rubber mats on all tee boxes.
The course was designed by CODGC's Ryan Lane, and the mapping furnished by COCC geographic information systems student Scott Reich. Discs are available for purchase at the COCC bookstore in Newberry Hall across the street from the course, but there is no charge to play the course or for parking. "It's such a good way to mix the campus and the community together," said Lucas Alberg, director of marketing and public relations for COCC.
"There's been a lot of involvement from students, faculty and community members. So it was really neat to see that cohesion, which is really what the college is all about." LaLonde has spent time trimming limbs from the ponderosa pines and juniper trees that dot the course, making for clearer shots, and he is already talking about eventually adding nine more holes.
"There's room for it," LaLonde said. Course maps and scorecards are available on UDisc , the most popular and widely used disc golf course app, and players can keep score there as well. Smoking, alcohol and drugs are prohibited on the course, and dogs are not allowed.
"It's been a blast putting it all together for the community," said John Dankert of the CODGC. "It's great to have it back. This is a really great track.
It's not too long so it's good for all age groups. This course will make you a better disc golfer than playing at Pine Nursery. Pine is more open, but you have to be more technical here.
" The disc golf course at Pine Nursery Park in northeast Bend has become the most popular course in Central Oregon, hosting robust league play with hundreds of disc golfers. Courses are also located in Bend at the Seventh Mountain Resort, Mt. Bachelor, Cascades Academy and Skyliner Sports Complex (winter only).
Redmond, Sisters and Madras also have thriving disc golf courses. Jonathan Hughes of the CODGC said the COCC course is the ideal alternative to Pine Nursery. "It won't compete with Pine Nursery, but it will complement it," Hughes said.
"And people want variety. Pine Nursery is more flat. The elevation and trees make this different.
You have to hit the gaps between the trees. At Pine Nursery you generally just throw it into the air. This is a little shorter, but it definitely requires a little more skill.
" Several unofficial "rogue" disc golf courses are located throughout the Deschutes National Forest, but most players gravitate to the official ones. LaLonde said that each hole on the COCC course has two basket locations, and they can move baskets to make holes easier or more difficult. Tile and concrete might also be added to the tee boxes.
"This is a great little amenity for the students and people who live on the west side," LaLonde said. Added Alberg: "From our perspective, it gives people the opportunity to see the beautiful campus. It's a nice way to build another positive connection with the community.
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