Story/Photos by Chris Yucus
Where is it? 3826 N. Taylor Rd, Hanna City, IL 61536 (The course is across the road from the main entrance). directions
What is it? Wildlife Prairie Park is a private 1,800-acre zoological park, home to over 150 animals native to the area. The disc golf course is also private, and requires paid admittance to the park to play. It’s $9 for ages 13 and up, $7 for seniors. You can pay at the main gate or with cash at the kiosk near the course. Paying for the course does earn entry to many of the park’s other features. Check out their website for more info.
Who plays here?
Friday, Aug. 6 - Pool N (MA1b)
Saturday, Aug. 7 - Pool E (MA40)
Sunday, Aug. 8 - Pool Pool M (Ma1a)
Cart Friendly? Not at all. If you bring a cart you are going to have a bad time!
Practice Schedule notes: Closed Wednesday, Aug. 4 for Flex C Tier. No restrictions Aug. 2,3, and 5. Private course, admission fee required.
Course breakdown: Par: 62. Distance: 7,244 feet (MA40); 7,927 feet (MA1).
After starting out with open grass fairways, Wildlife heads into truly wild territory. There’s massive elevation changes, steep inclines and multiple water hazards in the form of ponds.It also tests the arm with its length, the MA1 tees total nearly 8,000 feet.
Signature holes (and holes to watch out for):
Hole 6 - This 259-foot Par 3 is a near vertical drop down a steep cliff that ends with an OB creek behind the basket. It’s the course’s introduction to plenty more punishing elevation changes to come.
Hole 7 - This Par 4, 457-foot monster is a long, tough slog back up a slope that requires a righty anhyzer or flick line to navigate the fairway safely.
Hole 11 - It’s 378’ from tee to basket, with plenty of water in between on the aptly named “Salamander Splash.” This is the most challenging over-water toss competitors in MA40 will face.
Hole 14 - MA1 players face a daunting drive across the pond if they want to attack the basket on the 360-foot Par 3 “Turtle Toss.” If they don’t clear the water, or stick the landing on the shoreline green, they will head to a drop zone on the right side fairway. MA40 players have a safer and shorter look from the tee, but still plenty of chances to get wet.
Course History: Designed by Brian Lucas, Wildlife DGC opened in 2010.
If you’re hungry, check out: Best to pack a lunch for this one. Wildlife Prairie Park lies off the beaten path.
MA1 competitors will have this watery view facing them from the tee on Hole 5 (Par 4, 744’).
A view back up the incredibly steep fairway from behind Hole 6’s basket.
A miscue off either tee on Hole 14 can easily spell a trip to the drop zone.
