Gabe Fry of the Fennimore Disc Golf Group has a passion for the sport of disc golf, and he and his fellow group members have had a part in both the development and upkeep of the Oakwood Disc Golf Course here in Fennimore since the course’s opening in 2013.
And although the course, if I may editorialize here, is one of the beautiful, well kept disc golf courses in the area, and even with the generous help from Fennimore Tree Board and the city public works staff to keep the park maintained, like many things, the course needs money to keep its reputation as a high quality course.
When the course opened in 2013, the 18 holes tee pad signs were each sponsored for a by area businesses for a five year period. The funds gained by sponsorship were used for upkeep and improvements to the course.
The five year sponsorships have expired so in the near future, Fennimore Disc Golf Group would like to renew those tee pad signs for sponsorships for new five year periods.
Their hope is for each hole, 18 in total, to be sponsored for $300 ($60/year) for a five-year period again.
The group is planning on asking local businesses for those.
In the past, general donations for course upkeep and other costs, such as occasional disc golf tournaments have been asked for, but sponsorships would give “sustainable” funds for the course.
Although the course itself doesn’t have account itself, the Fennimore Area Foundation has agreed to open a non-profit account for any funds donated to be into.
You may ask yourself, what advantage would it be to the city to have a vibrant disc golf course?
As a somewhat disc golfer myself, disc golfer will travel to courses, and like other courses in the area, the better the course, the more potential travelers would come to the city, bringing in business to area gas stations, restaurants, shops, etc, as well as helping out Oakwood Park itself.
Fry during his interview said the group “always wants to keep the course moving forward.” By forward, he means improvement the hole baskets, adding additional holes to the course, having more tournaments throughout the year and possibly even having a disc golf league again.
But again like many things in life, goals cost money, but all the money received for the course goes right back into the course. The group already donates their time to the upkeep of the course, but as Fry stated, during his interview although money is needed for the course, that part is secondary, “I just want people to play disc golf,” he said.
The group has a goal of having sponsored tee pads ready by May 1, 2024, with MQ Signs assisting them with the printing of sponsor signs.
And although the course, if I may editorialize here, is one of the beautiful, well kept disc golf courses in the area, and even with the generous help from Fennimore Tree Board and the city public works staff to keep the park maintained, like many things, the course needs money to keep its reputation as a high quality course.
When the course opened in 2013, the 18 holes tee pad signs were each sponsored for a by area businesses for a five year period. The funds gained by sponsorship were used for upkeep and improvements to the course.
The five year sponsorships have expired so in the near future, Fennimore Disc Golf Group would like to renew those tee pad signs for sponsorships for new five year periods.
Their hope is for each hole, 18 in total, to be sponsored for $300 ($60/year) for a five-year period again.
The group is planning on asking local businesses for those.
In the past, general donations for course upkeep and other costs, such as occasional disc golf tournaments have been asked for, but sponsorships would give “sustainable” funds for the course.
Although the course itself doesn’t have account itself, the Fennimore Area Foundation has agreed to open a non-profit account for any funds donated to be into.
You may ask yourself, what advantage would it be to the city to have a vibrant disc golf course?
As a somewhat disc golfer myself, disc golfer will travel to courses, and like other courses in the area, the better the course, the more potential travelers would come to the city, bringing in business to area gas stations, restaurants, shops, etc, as well as helping out Oakwood Park itself.
Fry during his interview said the group “always wants to keep the course moving forward.” By forward, he means improvement the hole baskets, adding additional holes to the course, having more tournaments throughout the year and possibly even having a disc golf league again.
But again like many things in life, goals cost money, but all the money received for the course goes right back into the course. The group already donates their time to the upkeep of the course, but as Fry stated, during his interview although money is needed for the course, that part is secondary, “I just want people to play disc golf,” he said.
The group has a goal of having sponsored tee pads ready by May 1, 2024, with MQ Signs assisting them with the printing of sponsor signs.
If anyone has questions, interested in joining the Fennimore Disc Golf Group, volunteering, or interested in a possible tee pad sponsorship, please contact Gabe Fry at (608) 732-7834 or e-mail fennimorediscgolf@gmail.com.
