By the Numbers:
UDisc Rounds in Starved Rock Country
More rounds than ever recorded in 2021
By Chris Yucus for SRDG
UDisc, the popular disc-golf scoring (and more) app has released its 2022 disc golf growth report. Starved Rock Disc Golf dove into the data to share how many rounds were scored on UDisc on area courses in 2021.
(It’s important to note that these numbers are only a baseline for area disc golf participation. Not all rounds are scored on UDisc, by any measure. Likewise, some of the yearly increases can be attributed by more players using UDisc.)
No. 6 - Bureau County Metro Center, Princeton
UDisc Rounds in 2021: 118
A decrease from 2020’s total of 213, the only course on this list to go down in numbers in 2021.
No. 5 - Chapel Hill Golf Course, Princeton
UDisc Rounds in 2021: 185
The pay-to-play disc golf course at Chapel Hill, designed by Nick Rapp, saw a slight uptick from 2020’s numbers (178).
No. 4 - Fox River, Ottawa
UDisc Rounds in 2021: 401
The course, which has seen some maintenance and tree issues, had a big jump from last year (237). Expect that number to continue to climb with local discers leading a rejuvenation for the oldest course in the area in 2022.
No. 3 - Marilla Park, Streator
UDisc Rounds in 2021: 1,040
Marilla nearly doubled its 2020 total (560) and should remain one of the busiest courses in the area thanks to newly formed leagues and fundraising events spearheaded by Christopher Stone.
No. 2 - IVCC, Oglesby
UDisc Rounds in 2021: 1,162
The nine-basket course with two sets of tees was the area’s second-most scored on UDisc in both 2021 and 2020. With its well-established IV Monday Doubles League, ran by Wes Black, the course is a hub for the area disc golf scene.
With many new trees taking root, and active development and maintenance, the course should continue to improve and grow in the future.
No. 1 - Baker Lake, Peru
UDisc Rounds in 2021: 1,542
Baker Lake continued its run as the most-scored area course on UDisc with around 400 more rounds than runner-up IVCC. The 18-hole Par 55 was also the most-scored course on UDisc in 2020 (1,033) and 2019 (587) as well.
Considering that some cards in the newly forged Wake and Baker Sunday Doubles league keep score on paper, this year's lead could have been even bigger!
Baker Lake DGC, designed by Pete Etscheid, debuted in 2018. Plenty of new trees were added in 2021 to help shape the well-maintained and always improving course.