Disc Golf: Grand Forks AFB offers free outdoor entertainment for Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Sparks
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Grand Forks Air Force Base offers a lot of services to its Airmen. Those services cover a wide variety of activities such as financial education, family support and fitness, including disc golf, a free outdoor activity. Grand Forks AFB has a 9-hole disc golf course available for Airmen and their families.

Senior Airman Megan Ford, 319th Force Support Squadron intramural sports director, feels that the disc golf course in underutilized.

"In the summertime, we'll maybe get five to 10 people that will ask throughout the entire summer," said Ford.

Airman 1st Class Ian Bush, 319th Security Forces Squadron information manager, said he has been playing disc golf for the last seven years.

"Disc golf is a good option for Airmen because it is a universal game. Just like video games or other player-to-player platforms in life, disc golf is another one of those things that can quickly get you in touch with people with similar interests," said Bush.

Ford and Bush both see similar benefits to taking advantage of the base disc golf course.

Ford said that the disc golf course should be advertised more towards single Airmen. She said that it's free, fun and a good way for Airmen to get together. All they have to do is come to the fitness center and check out one of the bags of discs, he said.

"If you don't think you will like disc golf, I would try the fitness center discs and our course on base," said Bush. "The discs at the fitness center and our course on base are a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors while playing a challenging sport."

Ford said the fitness center has seven to 10 sets of discs that can be checked out during normal duty hours. The fitness center only asks that they be returned within 24 hours after being checked out. They can also provide a map of the course.

Bush said he recently organized a tournament sponsored by the Air Force Sergeants' Association and that he is working on an event to be included in this year's Summer Bash.

Ford said that disc golf isn't the only underutilized service through the fitness center.

She said the TRX workout program and boxing gloves are available for Airmen to check out as well. Ford said TRX is a good program for Airmen on profiles who need a different type of workout. The TRX program comes with videos that guide the workout.

Bush offered some advice to his fellow Grand Forks Airmen.

"I think the biggest thing I want Airmen to remember is that we are all here together. We don't want this base to be the 'doom-and-gloom' base," he said. "If you have an idea of something we could all do to have fun or use our facilities for the better, speak up. All it takes is one Airman to impact the base."

For more information, contact the fitness center at 701-747-3384.