Pettibone Park
There’s nothing like the hometown course. For golf, it was Irish Hills, east of La Crosse. It was in beautiful bluff country and adjacent to dense hardwoods. The best parts though were the quirks. The owner often sharpened his pencil on the prices, and some of the sand traps carried hornet’s nests. For disc golf, the place to go was Pettibone Park. Pettibone is on an island in the Mississippi River, between Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Most people in La Crosse go to Pettibone for the beach. I know, a beach on the Mississippi doesn’t sound very appealing. The thing is, it is actually quite relaxing. The sand is soft both inside and outside the water. On a hot day, the cool water is perfect medicine. Sure, the water is turbid, but it won’t hurt anybody. If all this still doesn’t whet your appetite, there’s sunbathing or a game of volleyball.
The Pettibone Disc Golf Course is 27 holes, partially through the woods and partially out in the open. A few holes run along the river but there’s no real risk of losing the discs. The woods are far more likely to eat them up.
A buzz in the ear
The real challenge of Pettibone are the mosquitos. I never realized how bad the mosquitos in Wisconsin were until I moved away. Down by the river, they can be a particular nuisance. If there is any standing water around, you better move quickly. Don’t overthink the shot, just let it fly and get on to the next throw. I’m surprised no one has been eaten alive yet.
From time to time, Pettibone closes for flooding. While some stay away after the hard rains, in my opinion those are the best times to go. Many temporary water hazards pop up. Combined with the inevitable influx of mosquitos, post flood disc outings really bring out the diehards. Some might be deterred by this, but for me, it’s the unique environment of each course that makes the game worthwhile.
Pettibone isn’t always wet and wild though. On a nice summer day, it can be quite pleasant. The tees are nice, and the signage is clear. Walking by the river with the sunlight breaking through the trees is relaxing. It’s definitely a place where a lot of folks bring a cooler of refreshments. After a round, the beach is waiting across the street.
