I’m in Little Rock for a week on business. Being the disc golf nut that I am, one of the top things on my list of things to find here is a disc golf course, and lo and behold, there is Burns Park.
A mere 10 minutes away from my hotel on Markham, just by the Arkansas River, this ENORMOUS city park is home to two rather exceptional disc golf courses. The blue course, which is longer and more open, is the one I’ve played twice already (in two days). The red course, which is shorter and on the side of a (to me) mountain, is more technical and wooded.
Yesterday was my first round. I got out of work and high-tailed it back to the hotel, eager to get out there and throw some discs. I had no trouble finding the place, and was thrilled to tee off on a course with elevation. For a Florida flatlander, this was like an excursion to disc golf nirvana.
After the first hole, I knew I’d get lost, so I mustered my social skills and jogged up to a couple that were playing two holes ahead of me. As politely as I could present myself as a regular guy that wouldn’t rob or beat them, I introduced myself and asked it they minded if I join them, since I was new to the course and liable to get lost. They were Nate and Amy, a couple that proved to be perfectly in line with all the people I’d met in Little Rock so far — super friendly and terrifically hospitable. I was not disappointed in my decision to approach them.
On the 11th hole, after finding a huge pine tree had crushed the 10th basket to smithereens (see photo), I threw my Champion Beast forehand right into a tree about 75 feet in front of the tee. It looked like it dropped straight down, but upon reaching its alleged landing place, it was nowhere to be found. Nate and Amy searched for this disc for almost thirty minutes…. and five minutes after I’d given it up for lost, not wanting to cut short their round on my account. Then, Amy FINDS my disc!! This, ladies and gentlemen, is what Little Rock people are capable of… going way beyond the basics of friendliness!
Today I played again, this time by myself, thinking that I’d learned enough of where the tees and baskets were. I was mostly right. I ran into a group of guys playing made-up holes, just screwing around, and they pointed me towards the 13th tee, which I couldn’t find. I was proud, incidentally, that my only birdie of the day happened right near them. I outdrove the basket with a nice forehand flick, and sunk the twenty foot birdie putt. Aw yeah!
I finished at 12 over par, which included no less than three dinked-out putts from near range. Not the best scoring round for me lately, but given the circumstances, I’m pretty happy with the score.
As I sat in one of numerous pavilions by the parking lot before motoring back to the hotel, a group of five guys wander off the red course and have a seat next to me. Again, they’re very friendly and approachable, and we made great conversation for half an hour or so. One of them, “Corndog” (I’m not making this up) offered me a beer along with the rest of his buddies, and we shot the shit for a while, talking about disc golf, how they’d played 72 holes that day (!!??) and how disc golf’s got to be one of the greatest pastimes on Earth. We shook hands and promised that if I’m ever in Little Rock again, I’d look them up with the business card Corndog handed me.
Seriously, when a friendly guy who plays disc golf, who goes by “Corndog” says to look him up next time you’re in town, you DO so.
This post just helped my trip to Little Rock today. My wife and I will hit the course.
Sean
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Ollie Reply:
August 13th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
I have been playing Disc Golf for about 5 – 6 months total. My first experience was here in Little Rock at burns park. I tell you disc golfers (so far) are some of the greatest people to meet. They are all extremely willing to show you the ropes around the course and help you understand the game. It is extremely addicting. I try to get out there 5 times a week if possible. Burns has great courses both the Red and Blue. I am ecstatic about playing there every time I pull out the old bag to sling a couple!
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I had a similar experience at Burns Park today. After moving to Little Rock a week ago I decided it was a fine time to track down a course and get in a round. I saw a few guys getting their stuff together in the parking lot and asked if I could join them. Had a great time, met some interesting people, and saw someone ace hole 15 on the red course! Thanks for the suggestion!
John
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Chris Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Man, that’s awesome! Glad you had a good time… reminds me that I need to get back out and throw a round… it’s been a while for me. Enjoy LR… I enjoyed my week there.
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This is my home course, and I’m so glad you liked it. Spread the word and come back soon!
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Chris Reply:
March 13th, 2010 at 8:17 am
My only regret was not playing the course up on the hill. I miss the rolling landscape on Arkansas… this Florida Flatland is so boring sometimes. I’m hoping to get out for a round at MY home course… North Watertower Park: http://www.sarasotaskypilots.org/watertwr.htm
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