Organizers reported that participation has been climbing since the league began four years ago.

Designed by professional disc golfer and tournament director Eric McCabe, the North Bluff Disc Golf Course was established in 2019 thanks to local groups, donors and a matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s “Public Spaces, Community Places” program.

Local players had been looking to build a new course in the area and first looked into a place in Escanaba that was shot down because of its proximity to the Great Lakes Sports & Recreation Club’s shooting range.

“So then we came and approached Gladstone, and all this land right here is the old landfill, and it was designated for recreation,” said Joe Pinar, one of the founders who now performs grounds maintenance. “So they let us build it here.”

R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press | Conner Britton eyes up his next throw.

Locals and visitors use the course in Gladstone, and its reception has been exceptional. Players keep track of their scores on an app called “UDisc,” where they also review the various courses they play on. The North Bluff course was ranked number five in Michigan in 2025 and number 82 in the world in 2024.

Disc golf continues to be a growing sport. People enjoy that it’s a solo sport that doesn’t put pressure on teammates, but league nights offer socialization and friendly competition. Some players join tournaments, while others keep it casual and play leisurely with friends or family.

“Some of the best views in the nation are from disc golf courses, honestly,” said Adam Papaik, a disc golfer who also dyes and sells discs and recently was involved with the design of a course at an alternative school downstate. “Beautiful views.”

During the summer league play at North Bluff, players were asked to chip in six dollars each week to support course maintenance, administration, a pool that paid out at the end of the season, and prizes for side games.

Sponsors for this year’s season were Saunders Point Brewing, Brampton Bike and Ski, Aloft Disc Golf, Anytime Fitness, Domino’s and Team ACEN1 Customs.

Posing with a table of prizes that would later be given out on the last league night of the year are North Bluff Disc Golf League organizers Adam Williams, Kollin Scully and Joe Pinar. Not pictured is Robin Holmes.

Conner Britton whips a disc towards a long-distance target.

Darren Young prepares to putt pizza-style.

R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press | Conner Britton, Adam Williams and Darren Young pause before approaching the next tee.

Kollin Scully aims for a basket on the North Bluff Disc Golf Course.

A disc thrown by Adam Williams flies straight.

Photo courtesy of Adam Williams Participants in the North Bluff Summer Disc Golf League pose for a photo on a Wednesday night.