The Department of Natural Resources announced today that the 18-hole disc golf course within the Fort Custer Recreation Area is completed.

"We are very pleased to offer this recreational opportunity to our park visitors," said Park Manager Tony Trojanowski. "This newly-created disc golf course will offer another challenging opportunity for people in the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek areas to 'GO-Get Outdoors' and enjoy this popular sport at our park."

Disc golf is played with a round flying disc instead of a ball and club. Much like traditional golf, the player's objective is to complete each hole in the least number of throws. Each player throws the golf disc from a tee area to a target "hole" or metal basket that is about three feet off the ground. Chains hang above the basket to stop the momentum of the disc.

The course was built in partnership with volunteers from the Professional Disc Golf Association in Southwest Michigan. The par 57 course covers a variety of challenging terrain, and was used as part of the rotation in the world disc golf championship which was held in August in the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek area.

The course begins in the day use area near the Hilltop Pavilion, and will be open daily from 8 a.m. until the day use area closes, normally around 10 p.m. A course map is available at the park contact stations. There are no fees to play and no scheduled tee times.

Fort Custer Recreation Area is located at 5163 W. Fort Custer Dr., one-quarter mile east of Augusta on M-96 (Dickman Road). For more information about the disc golf course, the park, or accessibility at Fort Custer, contact the park supervisor at 269-731-4200, or visit www.michigan.gov/fortcuster. Park visitors are reminded that no alcoholic beverages are allowed at Fort Custer.

Camping reservations can be made on-line at www.midnrreservations.com, or by calling 800-447-2757.

All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the entrance. Cost is $24 for resident annual and $6 for resident daily. A non-resident annual is $29 and a non-resident daily is $8.