Ski hill transforms into disc golf course

By Melissa Ganje & photojournalist Carrie Kohlmeier, FOX 21 News
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 6:24pmHuman Interest Outdoors Twin Ports

DOUGLAS COUNTY - A trek through the woods and a game of skill. There's a new disc golf course at Mont du Lac in Douglas County.
It's an outdoor sport one Duluth man can't get enough of. Bryan Lagergren says, "I've been playing since 1996. I think within 2 weeks after I started playing, I ended up selling my golf clubs, really fell in love with the sport."
So, he decided to design and build a disc golf course. "It's been my dream forever, I've always wanted to just get a chunk of property and have my own course," said Lagergren.
His family bought Mont du Lac from the original owners in January. In the winter, the 232-acre property will still remain a ski hill but after the snow leaves, a disc golf course will be open and ready for play 7 days a week.
"It's just an awesome course, the elevation change; it's a workout to play this course," said Evans Mealman of Duluth.
The course just opened a month ago after Lagergren spent about 6 weeks building it with help from friends. "There were probably maybe 4 or 5 of us that came out here and put in some hard work but I think it's definitely paying off for everyone now," said Derek Pederson of Duluth.
It's an 18 whole course right now but by the end of the week, Lagergren said there will be 21 holes ready to play.
"I wanted to just kind of show off all the terrain that's out here. We have straight shots, we have tight tunnel shots and we have a couple holes where you shoot up to the water and a couple where you shoot over the water," said Lagergren.
Through wooded terrain and open field, from 185 feet to the longest hole at 605 feet. "The variety of holes, there is everything you could possibly ask for, said Pederson.
"Lagergren is just a mad scientist when it comes to setting up disc golf courses so it's bound to be crazy," said Mealman.
It is one challenging course, built on a ski hill, secluded and serene. "Most of the time you come out here, you have the whole mountain to yourself. You can hear the birds chirping, it's pretty peaceful," said Lagergren.
"You can get out away from everything, away from the town, away from a ton of people and just get out and relax," said Pederson.
Mont du Lac is just off Minnesota Highway 23, south of Duluth's Fond du Lac neighborhood. The disc golf course is open at 10 a.m. 7 days a week. It's $5 a day or $30 for a season pass.
There is also disc golf leagues on Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. and a tournament on July 11-12, Lagergren says anyone is welcome to participate. Call Mont du Lac at (218) 626-3797 for more information.