Disc golf course created at park
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Tim Lescalleet sinks a putt during a disk golf game at Antrim Township Community Park.

Ultimate Frisbee just doesn't do it anymore.

Once the Lescalleet clan of State Line was introduced to disc golf, the traditional flying saucer fell by the wayside.

Father and two sons were so enamored with the new sport, they worked with Antrim Township for a year to create a disc golf course at Antrim Township Community Park. And now it's ready to go.

Greg, 51, Brad, 24, and Tim, 19, coordinated five-hundred hours of volunteer manpower to set up the course. They now want the public to discover the game and fall in love with it as well.

The trio, with the blessing of the township, has set aside a weekend to acquaint the public with disc golf. On Sat., Aug. 11, they will host an open house with demonstrations and clinics on the fine points of the game.

Sunday, Aug. 12, the 717 Fly- ing Disc Club will hold a tournament at the Whispering Falls Disc Golf Course. The Lescalleets remained true to the local area code in naming the club. The course name honors a stream that crosses a new trail when it rains.

Tim Lescalleet tees off at the new disc golf links.

A new sport

Two years ago the Lescalleets found disc golf. Craig 'Shooby' Schuler of Waynesboro invited his friends to Codorus State Park in Hanover to try the game.

"It's been an addiction ever since," said Greg.

The buddies began traveling every weekend, hitting courses in Virginia, New York, Ohio.

"Every course we could find, we played," Brad said.

They desired a local course, and in walking ATCP on Grant Shook Road, realized the site was a real possibility.

The fellows first approached Scott Diffenderfer, an Antrim Township supervisor and member of the park committee.

"He was unbelievable, supporting us all the way through," Brad said.

The three presented a formal proposal to the Board of Supervisors last year. They had a map for the course layout and a budget, with an offer to raise the necessary $10,000 and to install the equipment.

The board supported the idea whole-heartedly and voted to fund the hardware.

Then everyone got to work. Diffenderfer, an arborist by trade, identified trees that could be cut down. They were diseased, small or dead and in limited areas.

Members of the road department prepared the land.

"The township maintenance guys have been the biggest help, bar none," continued Brad. "They're the reason we got the course done in twelve weeks."

Tim concurred. "The fastest we ever heard of a course setting up in other places was three to five years."

The volunteers spent weekends clearing the cut debris and digging post holes for the 19 baskets.

Township manager Ben Thomas Jr. was impressed with the whole process.

"It's great to see the volunteerism. It's an inexpensive recreational activity that is starting to catch on across the country. It's going to be a curiosity thing. Citizens will go out and give it a try."

He noted there was very little land disturbance in setting up the course, and that the park remains a natural wildlife habitat.

Anyone can play

The Professional Disc Golf Association touts the benefits of the sport, formalized in the 1970's. It states the game provides upper and lower body conditioning, aerobic exercise, and the promotion of mental ability with little risk of physical injury. Players can get by with one disc for under $10, or fill their bag with specialized sizes.

"It's harder to throw than Ultimate Frisbee, less forgiving," said Tim.

"It can be frustrating until you get the hang of it," Brad interjected. "But the learning curve is a lot easier than regular golf."

The Whispering Falls course has 18 holes and one practice basket. The goal is to throw from the tee to the basket in the fewest number of shots. Walking the course can take three hours. Men and women may play from separate tees on the par 3 and par 4 holes.

Supporters of the project believe it will be a good thing for the community, drawing visitors to the area.

"It is more popular and bigger than most people realize," Brad said. "People drive for hours to play."

The Lescalleets and their friends picked partners recently to play a round. They carried backpacks full of discs, with Tim using a plastic milk crate with straps.

Playing best ball, they zinged the discs straight and fast, or curving into the trees. After sinking the putts, they hoisted the gear over their shoulders and headed off into the woods to the next fairway.