Purdue University North Central will debut its first 18-hole disc golf course at the PNC Student Convocation and Welcome Ceremony on Aug. 20, at 1 p.m.
This year's Student Convocation and Welcome Ceremony will feature a ribbon cutting for the course and a Support the Cause Tournament for the Van for Steven fund with a $10 entry fee.
This will be one of several student-oriented activities available on Aug. 20. The tournament and ceremony will start directly after a cookout and student convocation. Those interested should sign up immediately to reserve a spot to play in the tournament.
The course will be located on the south side of campus starting directly behind the baseball field. This event will feature a putting and distance contest, demos, instruction and course touring. Prizes and giveaways will be included.
The disc golf course was designed by Mike Jenneman, disc golfer, graphic designer and photographer from Carmel, Ind., and Alan Pier, Indiana Disc Golf Hall of Fame member and course designer with more than 20 years of experience, from Peru, Ind.
The PNC course will feature Spiderweb 3 baskets, originally created by Allen Pier and handmade in Peru, Ind. by Darroll Dickerson of Arachnid Disc Golf Targets. The baskets are PDGA approved and rated Champion Status, paving the way for future major, top tier tournaments at PNC.
As the complex evolves, signature holes will be created. One example is the integration of Odyssey sculptures into the course. PNC is known for its Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series and the incorporation of custom sculptures is a natural fit for the disc golf. The first sculpture, Anatomy Vessel by Eric Nordgulen, has been commissioned and will be featured on the first hole.
This first tournament will benefit the Van for Steven fund in support of a child in our community. Steven is an 11-year-old, fifth-grade student from Michigan City. His Progressive Spastic Paralysis causes an increased lack of mobility. Despite painful injections and surgery, he largely depends on a wheelchair for mobility. An active child, he has progressed into leg braces and now a wheelchair, but he has not lost his positive spirit.
Steven's mother, a PNC employee, is struggling with transportation for Steven and his electric wheelchair.
The wheelchair weighs 270 pounds and is currently being pushed up and down a portable ramp. The wheelchair is often kept at school due to the difficulty of transporting it. A handicap accessible van has been located, but at a cost of approximately $29,000. Steven and his mother need help to get the van. All proceeds on the day will be donated to Steven for the purchase of the van.
Thanks to the new disc golf course, PNC will introduce the new course and disc golf to students and the public. It will be free to play the course. Students may borrow discs with their student ID. The course will be groomed and maintained year-round.
Course completion is on target for the end of July, at which time the course will be available for play. Aug. 20 will mark the opening ceremony and inaugural tournament with a club callout for all interested PNC disc-golfers who would like to join the first Panther disc golf team and club sport.
For further information or to sign up, contact Athletic Coordinator Tom Albano at talbano@pnc.edu or 219-785-5660. Online registration is available at www.pncathletics.com. Click on the disc golf logo located on the right-hand column of the homepage.