Campus Recreation opened a disc golf course designed by Cale Leiviska. The sport is played like traditional golf but uses a frisbee-like disc aimed at a basket instead of a ball.
UTA is getting a beginner-friendly disc golf course that winds beneath tall, arching trees along a creek that carves through Doug Russell Park.
Josh Hale, assistant director for sports programs at Campus Recreation, said the nine-hole course is nearly complete. The only thing missing is the course overview sign outlining rules and expectations to ensure safety.
There is no current timeline for when the course will officially open, but it is still accessible. Hale said Campus Recreation plans to have discs for students to check out once it’s officially open. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is also in the works.
Hale said the idea came to him in October 2024 as he searched for something students, staff and faculty could enjoy in their free time that also worked with UTA’s limited space.
The UTA Disc Golf Course is located at Doug Russell Park. The course features nine holes spread throughout the park.
He pitched the idea to the Division of Student Affairs during its annual Big Idea funding, where UTA departments share ideas they’d like funding for. Once approved, Hale and Campus Recreation got to work on planning.
They brought in a professional disc golf player and course designer, Cale Leiviska. Leiviska has designed around 60 courses, two being top 50 courses in the world. After walking the campus together, they landed on the section of Doug Russell Park where the course now sits.
“I wanted to just make something that would be fun for all skill levels,” Leiviska said. “I wanted to make something beautiful and just utilize the creek bed as best as I could and find all the best natural features on the property.”
The focus on accessibility and natural design shaped a course meant to be easy and quick to play. The nine-hole layout features all par-3 holes and takes about 30-45 minutes to complete.
The project cost around $25,000 and was funded through UTA’s Big Idea Strategic Innovation grant, an initiative from the Division of Student Affairs that encourages departments to pitch creative ways to enhance campus life.
Illustration by Lillian Durand
David Eberhardt, Student Affairs assistant vice president for administration, said the proposal stood out and aligned with Student Affairs vice president Lowell Davis’ priority to add new ways of engagement.
“Some people may have never seen a disc golf course. They may not have any clue what it is, but it’ll be a new activity for them,” Eberhardt said. “It’ll be a fun, unique, creative activity.”
Arlington resident David Shaw, 55, said he’s been playing disc golf for two to three years and has played the UTA course twice since the baskets went in.
“I find most people that I run into playing disc golf are, as my kids would say, ‘chill people,’” Shaw said. “Everybody is pretty relaxed and having a good time, so I think it’s a great addition.”
@diegocllazo