CAMAS VALLEY -- Few residents of Camas Valley would argue that there is an overabundance of things to do in their town.

Now that school is out, there are even fewer activities for the young people of this small burg located 16 miles west of Winston.

But thanks to the efforts of teacher Patrick Lee and a group of high school students, a new mode of entertainment for Camas Valley youth has surfaced: disc golf.

"I dreamed up the idea a couple years ago because I wanted a place to play here in town," said Lee, a language arts teacher who helped organize and lay out an 18-hole disc golf course on school grounds.

"Our administrator, Vince Swaggerty, was very supportive and he helped get the OK from the charter board. We installed the baskets earlier this year and it's been gaining popularity ever since."

Only nine metal baskets anchored in concrete are currently in use, but Lee said another nine have been ordered and should be in place later this month.

In the meantime, golfers are using alternate starting points, or "tee boxes," to help comprise an entire 18-hole course. White- and yellow-colored stakes help indicate the front nine and back nine.

"We still haven't planned out where to put the other nine baskets, but I'm going to be working on that next week," Lee said. "I'm just glad that so many people have been using the course. The kids have really gotten behind it and it's starting to take off."

Lee applauded the efforts of graduating senior Keith Kinnan and junior Eli Fisher for helping him plot out and maintain the course.

Both students are active disc golfers, and when they asked Lee what they could do for a community service project, the answer was

obvious.

"Mr. Lee said the course needed to be maintained, so we came out here with our lawn mowers and got to work," Fisher said. "We also trimmed back the bushes and helped pour the concrete for the baskets. It's really starting to come together."

Fisher said he plans to cut the grass again before the Fourth of July fireworks show and also before football season. But maintaining the grounds isn't merely a chore for Fisher because he is able to realize the benefits as a disc golf participant.

"I love the outdoors, so coming out here once in a while to cut the grass is fun for me," Fisher said. "It makes it so people don't have to wade through the bushes to find their discs all the time. I don't mind helping out when I have the time."

Fisher's friend Michael Barraza was also involved in the planning of the course and he's been coming out on a regular basis to hone his skills.

"There's not much entertainment here in Camas Valley, so when we're not riding four-wheelers, we're usually playing disc golf," said Barraza, a sophomore who began playing the sport even before the course was installed.

"When I get bored, I just call up a few guys to come out here and play. We've been playing a lot lately and my game has really improved a lot."

Other regular users of the course are Camas Valley football coach Eli Wolfe and students Kameron Wolfe and Dennis Wolfe.

C.V.'s outgoing physical education teacher Jake Nickerson also found the course to be beneficial to his curriculum this spring.

"I had never played before, but the kids were really interested in getting it going, so I just went along with it," Nickerson said. "Disc golf is one of those sports that anyone can do and it's really starting to catch on with people of all ages."

Nickerson added that while disc golf isn't a highly aerobic activity, it does involve a lot of walking, which is physically rewarding if done over a period time.

"If you keep at it, you're going to get a workout," Nickerson said. "Plus, it's a positive activity for kids to do after school and on the weekends. It's something fun they can do with their friends and it doesn't cost a lot of money to get started. It's good to see so many people getting out here."

Other Douglas County schools have also been getting involved in disc golf.

Lee has been working with Al Springer of Riddle to organize a disc golf league, and they have already held five events with high school and middle school students from Riddle, Camas Valley and Roseburg.

Evidence of disc golf's rising popularity in Douglas County can also be found at Stewart Park and at Whistler's Bend Park near Glide.

Whistler's Bend is regarded as one of the finest courses on the West Coast and often hosts large invitational tournaments, including a team event this weekend.

Lee said the Camas Valley course is open to the public, but noted that because it is on school grounds, tobacco use, alcohol use and drug use are prohibited.

Now that school is out for the summer, people can play the course any time. However, in the fall, the course can only be used after school hours.

"I've seen people from around the community and from Roseburg coming out here, so the word is definitely getting around," Lee said. "It's a challenging course that is suitable for beginners to experienced players.

"It's been a real community-driven effort so far, and it's only going to get better."



* You can reach sports reporter Dave Leder at 957-4221 or by e-mail at dleder@newsreview.info.