By Joseph Knight

CIU Student Writer

Nearly three dozen Columbia International University students were up before sunrise on a Saturday, motivated by the prospects of CIU’s first disc golf course. The students rolled up their sleeves as they gathered on the cool March morning for a workday to prepare the ground for the course.  

Disc golf is a sport similar to traditional golf in which small Frisbee-type discs and elevated metal baskets replace balls and holes. The course is 18 “holes” winding picturesquely through CIU’s woods and around the CIU Lake.

Student Body President Kyle Jones has been working with the CIU administration on the logistics for the course for months. Once the necessary approval was granted, he organized the student workday to clear out trees and brush for the course and install the metal baskets. Students, along with CIU Dean of Students Rick Swift and Youth Ministry Professor Sam Rubinson, attacked the work with vigor — wielding axes, machetes and chain saws.

Freshman Josiah Anzenberger said he’s excited about the opportunities that this course will provide students to spend outdoors on CIU’s beautiful 400-acre campus. Senior Quinton Tart agreed that the course will help students build community in the midst of nature.

Though the course officially opens later this spring, Jones, Tart, Anzenberger, and several other workers couldn't resist playing the course by early afternoon when their work was done.

“It was a blast!” Tart said.  

Get in on the excitement. CIU is experiencing growth in enrollment and has announced $25 million in expansion plans for the campus. CIU is accredited by SACS-COC. Information on CIU programs and enrollment is available here or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.