Stan Dolan met his wife while throwing a Frisbee® on the beach in Ocean City, Md., in 1970. Although he improved his disc-throwing skills over the years, he says he was a golfer at heart–until he moved to Highland Springs, an Erickson Senior Living community in North Dallas, Tex., that is.
In the spring of 2022, about a year after he moved in, the community built a six-hole disc golf course on the 89-acre campus. Blending skills from both sports together, Stan discovered his new passion.
“I had never played disc golf before moving to Highland Springs,” he says, “but it’s a lot of fun!”
Soon enough, Stan was surrounded by fellow disc golf enthusiasts when an organized group started that summer.
Disc golf has become very popular at Highland Springs since then, but it’s not the only form of golf that residents enjoy. Whether you prefer to practice your putt at the 8-hole campus putting green, hit the six “holes” on the scenic disc golf course, or get in some swings at the nearby 18-hole course, there’s something for everyone!
Under par
Although disc golf may seem like a departure from traditional golf, Stan says that’s not the case.
“Disc golf is very similar to regular golf, except disc golf uses a plastic 8.5-inch disc,” Stan explains. “Play begins on each hole by standing between two markers and throwing the disc down the 100- to 200-foot fairway toward the hole. Players continue throwing the disc, counting each throw, until they throw the disc in the ‘hole’ or basket.”
He continues, “A regulation 18-hole score would require three rounds of the course and a par score of 57 throws. The current course record is 11 under par!”
Stan sees disc golf as a great way of getting residents outside in the fresh air.
“It provides time to visit with fellow golfers and with many of our feathered friends–birds, ducks, and geese–that visit the pond around which the course is laid out,” Stan says. “You can easily pick up an additional 3,000 steps for the day.”
The Saturday morning disc golf group has six to ten players, with about half that in the Monday morning group.
Grab your putter
Highland Springs’ 8-hole putting green is also plenty busy.
Native Texans Bill and Linda Brooks lived in a house adjacent to a golf course not far from Highland Springs. When considering their move, the couple was attracted to Highland Springs’ stunning, lush campus.
“After moving [to the community] in 2021, Bluebonnet Lake became our view from our third-floor apartment,” Linda says. “We have 180 degrees of windows, plus a screened porch, which made the transition from the scenic golf course easier.”
Bill and Linda were golfers, but they had found themselves playing less and less–until they discovered Highland Springs’ Putters Club. Bill leads the Monday group, which has 20 to 25 regulars. Linda organized the Tuesday Ladies Putting Group, which has 5 to 15 regulars.
“We choose five of the eight holes for our putting contest each week, putting the five-hole course three times. The lowest total score wins,” Linda says. “The winner then chooses one hole for the hole-in-one contest. Each putter attempts to sink a hole-in-one until there is a winner.”
Putting contests are held throughout the year and, like disc golf, are included in the Highland Springs Olympics.
“We enjoy great camaraderie through these groups. New residents meet other active residents from all over campus by participating in the putting groups,” Linda says. “We have some really talented putters, and winning feels good!”
Fancy a round?
Avid golfer Nick Nicholls made the move to Highland Springs in 2021, following his folks’ move to Eagle’s Trace, another Erickson Senior Living community in West Houston, Tex.
“I saw all the activities available and thought, ‘When I retire, that would be perfect for me,'” says Nick, who now organizes Tuesday and Thursday outings to area golf courses for his neighbors.
“But I’m just one of a handful of people who coordinate golf from Highland Springs,” he notes. “There are other outings on Wednesdays and Fridays.”
He also oversees the community’s indoor golf simulator and enjoys friendly competition on the putting green and disc golf course.
“I’ve gotten to know some super special people here, playing golf,” adds Nick. “It’s great!”
To learn more about affordable, independent senior living at Highland Springs, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.
By Susan Ingram
