The foam golf ball soared across campus and fell onto a cement sidewalk. Bad news. Landing on cement is like landing in water, which means adding a stroke to your score.
Suddenly, a squirrel spotted the ball and scampered to it, nibbling on it before leaving dissatisfied. The action, though, was enough to roll the ball off the cement into the grass, saving junior and veteran statue golfer Matt VanOpstall a stroke on his score and giving him
a great story.
Van Opstall is one of around eight students who regularly play statue golf, a game that involves hitting foam golf balls at statues on campus instead of holes. The second annual Professional Statue Golf Association Invitational will be held April 24, where VanOpstall expects about 40 students to compete.
“Everyone that walks by gives us a big smile and yells ‘four,’” sophomore Thomas Burrell said.
The 11 hole course traverses back and forth around the heart of campus. Thomas Jefferson is used twice. The holes range from par 3 to par 5. The guys have a detailed scorecard with a map, hole names, and distances from the tee box to the statue. The longest hole, affectionately titled “Ronnie,” is from the back of central hall to the Ronald Reagan statue.
“It’s the fastest growing sport at Hillsdale College,” sophomore Bill Albert said.
More than 20 students competed in last year’s tournament with sophomore Steven Mette coming away the winner.
“Having bragging rights as the ‘best statue golfer’ is great,” he said.
VanOpstall, Albert, and sophomore Drew Mallery created statue golf. Soon after, Burrell helped hash out the course. From a few
guys with an idea to an anticipated 40 person tournament, statue golf has grown significantly in little more than a year. “With the increased volume, we need to remember to be respectful,” VanOpstall said.
And the players are respectful; this is more serious than hitting around on the quad. They have a list of rules on the scorecard: replace your divots, treat mulch like a sand trap. VanOpstall said maintenance has never complained.
They’re considering becoming an official club.
“It’s a great experience,” sophomore Drew Mallery said.
Their Twitter page has 36 followers and their signature image, Thomas Jefferson holding a golf club and a few brightly colored golfballs.
