Story and photos by: Nathan Wilson
Monday night, shortly before 7:00 P.M., a large fire broke out on OBU’s northern section of campus, commonly known as the ‘North Forty.’
The fire grew rapidly, drawing the attention of students and other members of the community. Eventually, the Shawnee Fire Department contained the fire, but it soon dwindled. Even though the fire was contained, it continued to burn through the night.
Although the cause of the fire is still unknown, many speculate that it was intentional.
OBU’s campus boast a variety of options when it comes to being active on campus, ranging from the RAWC, the intramural fields, and a disc golf course.
The OBU Disc golf course, located north of the Taylor Residence Center, features eighteen (18) challenging holes. The course is open to the public during all daylight hours.
What is now known, is that the fire occurred on the disc golf course. Further, it was rather isolated to a pre-existing burn pile. For the last several years, OBU has used this pile to store dead plant matter from campus. The pile has grown significantly following the campus tornado on April 19th 2023.
“The situation went as well as it could have,” said Alex Shuman, junior electrical engineering Major, and team captain of the OBU disc golf team.
Towering eight (8) to ten (10), and spanning over fifty (50) yards, it was no small burn pile. It is located just to the east of hole sixteen (16), serving as a notable obstacle to avoid when throwing discs.
“The fire is a net positive, at least for the disc golf team,” said Shuman.
“With the burn pile gone, it actually clears up part of the disc golf course,” said Shuman.
To contain the fire Monday night, Shawnee FD recommended that the grass be stripped surrounding the fire in order to prevent it from spreading.
As the fire dwindles out, OBU Facilities Management continues to mix the embers with dirt using a tractor and skid steer to speed up the remainder of the fire.
So, what does this mean for the disc golf course going forward?
“With the scrap pile burned down, it may actually be a good thing for the course,” said David Gardner, assistant director of Bison Recreation and Wellness.
The OBU disc golf course is a popular hotspot for many disc golf enthusiasts within the Shawnee area. Regularly drawing in visitors from Oklahoma City and Tulsa, the course is known for its difficulty.
Originally conceived around 2016, and further enhanced in 2017, the course boasts a mix of forest and open area. Additionally, in 2022, upgrades to the course included detailed signage and concrete tee pads.
The OBU Disc Golf team first started out as a small club team in 2017, but quickly gained traction as the sport took off in 2020. Currently, OBU has a full roster, regularly practices on the course, along with other courses in Shawnee, such as Immanuel Baptist Church.
In 2023, the team traveled to South Carolina for the College Disc Golf national tournament.
Last fall, the OBU Disc Golf team traveled across state lines to several tournaments. In November, the team traveled to Emporia, Kansas, and a few weeks later they competed in San Marcos, Texas.
The team has a few events planned for this semester, starting with a scrimmage against Oklahoma Christian University on March 1st. Following that, the team will be traveling to Jonesboro, Arkansas, for what could be their last tournament of the season. If all goes well, they could qualify for Nationals in South Carolina.
