Student brings First Beginner Disc Golf Course in Cedar City

Published: November 07, 2018 | Author: Savannah Byers | Read Time: 2 minutes

Disc Golf hole at Thunderbird Gardens in Cedar CityCedar City’s first beginner disc golf course has become a reality thanks to Danny Strand, Southern Utah University master of public administration (MPA) graduate student. Strand not only used this project to fill the need for the Cedar City/SUU community, but also to complete a graduation requirement in the MPA program. The Thunderbird Gardens Disc Golf Course will be located near the Thunderbird Gardens Trailhead.

To make this project a reality, Strand wrote a grant, designed the course, found matching funding, gathered additional partners, and obtained land from the city. With guidance and support from Lucky Disc Golf, Strand designed the first half of the course.

“Designing the course and forming some great partnerships were definitely the most exciting parts about the project,” said Strand. “Once it’s completed, watching others enjoy the course will be the most rewarding of all.”

Thunderbird Gardens Disc Golf Course will be the perfect gathering place for beginner and amateur disc golf players. With the course located only a half mile from Cedar City’s Main Street, the new 18-hole course helps make Thunderbird Gardens an outdoor recreation hotspot, as it is already home to multiple hiking and mountain biking trailheads. The next closest disc golf course,  Three Peaks, is about 30-minutes outside of town and is designed at a higher skill level.

Many individuals and departments at SUU contributed to this project, specifically the Sponsored Programs, Agreements, Research, and Contracts Office, Student Affairs, and the Outdoor Engagement Center.

“The project came together rather quickly,” said Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Jason Ramirez. “It started with a need, and now our little town is quite the disc golf destination.”

The Thunderbird Gardens Disc Golf Course will allow the Utah Summer Games to use the city property for their disc golf event. SUU will also have the opportunity to start an elective credit disc golf course.

“The most significant part of this project is that there will finally be a family-friendly, centrally located course in-town for everyone to enjoy,” Strand explained.

Strand is originally from Thousand Oaks, California. He is in his final semester at SUU earning his MPA. The opening of the course is anticipated for November 2018. For more information visit the Southern Utah Disc Golf Association Facebook page or the Udisc app.

SUU’s unique MPA degree can be completed either on-campus or 100% online. Career opportunities for individuals with an MPA may include federal/state/local government, higher education administration, HR management, law enforcement administration, management consulting, or non-profit management. These career paths provide many substantially different opportunities and can make a difference in local and global communities. Learn more about SUU’s MPA program.


Tags: Cedar City Public Administration Graduate Programs Community

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