Hill tosses for amusement, health and community
by Angel Mendez
May 22, 2008
Ideas that spawn from pure laziness or boredom do not happen often. However, for Hiawatha High School Junior, Calvin Hill, this rare event occurred when he was tired of driving long distances and decided to create the local, disc-golf area.
"The nearest disc-golf vicinity is in Lawrence," said Hill. "I really enjoy and wanted to play it without having to drive the distance. Plus, Greg Buser [Troop 118 leader and KNZA radio personality] mentioned that building the site would be a good idea for my Eagle Scout Project."
After taking Hill's idea to the city commission, the proposition was approved and Hill was given the proper amount of resources he needed to construct the area.
"It cost around one thousand dollars to actually buy everything," Hill said. "Troop 118 and Don Cashman [lawyer and family friend] were the people who helped me put it all together."
Located near the Fischer Center, the disc-golf area is open to everyone. Not only is it free, but it is a fun game smashed between two well-known sports: Frisbee and golf.
The same rules apply to disc-golf as it would with normal golf, the main difference being the use of a Frisbee. A circular, chained net positioned on top of a tall, iron bar is the distant goal in which one would throw the Frisbee towards. The least amount of tosses through all nine holes is the ideal score.
"I really enjoy this game because I am good at it, and it is fun," said Hill. "Plus, it is good exercise because you have to walk a lot."
Not only does Hill find the game amusing, but the HHS physical education students enjoy taking short walks to the area to play during class, too.
"The main purpose of us going to play disc-golf was to utilize an activity or sport that was in the community,"said Coach Bearce, HHS physical education teacher. "There are several ways to incorporate fitness while playing this game. I wanted to spotlight Calvin Hill and his hard work in developing the area for the community. By utilizing this resource, in my classroom I was able show my students ways that we can give back to the community as well as introduce a new lifetime sport."
Students are enjoying the opportunity to try something different.
Tanner Smith, HHS sophomore, said, "Disc-golf is pretty fun, but it is a lot more challenging than you would expect it to be. Calvin did a good thing by building this for the community."
Even with all of Hill's successes with the disc-golf area, he still hopes to bring more amusement to the community by creating team or singles tournaments during the spring or summer months.
However, without a few people, Hill's idea may have remained only a dream.
"I would like to thank the city of Hiawatha, Troop 118 from Robinson and Don Cashman for helping me turn this idea into reality," said Hill.
Enthusiasm, vigor and commitment: these three traits are what bond disc-golf with Hill, but most importantly, Hill with the community.
