A new disc golf course at Summit High School, opened in honor of late teacher Rick Karden, bears the name 'Tiger 9' — a reference to the school mascot, not the man it commemorates. The Tiger 9 disc golf course was opened specifically to honor Rick Karden, according to Summitdaily, but its name references the school mascot and number of holes rather than Karden himself. This omission suggests a preference for institutional branding and public utility over direct personal commemoration, a dynamic likely to continue in similar community projects.
Course Details: The Tiger 9 Experience
- Tiger 9 at Summit High School features 9 disc golf holes, according to Udisc.
- A typical round takes approximately 1 hour, covering about 1.0 miles (1.6 km).
Specifications define a course designed for accessible, quick play. The design supports broad appeal and ease of use, making it suitable for various skill levels within a school setting.
Accessibility and Location: A Community Asset
The Tiger 9 disc golf course is free to play, according to udisc.com, ensuring broad community access. Located at 39.56373336044771, -106.05469951221237 in Breckenridge, Colorado, the course is easily accessible for local recreation. The combination of free access and central placement makes the course a readily available community asset, aligning with the school's focus on public utility.
Community Memorials: Institutional Branding Over Personal Tribute
The 'Tiger 9' naming, as reported by summitdaily.com, illustrates how public institutions dilute personal tributes by prioritizing branding and general community utility. The 'Tiger 9' naming transforms a memorial into a school amenity rather than a direct personal honor. The course's name thus emphasizes Summit High School's institutional identity, inadvertently overshadowing the individual legacy it initially intended to commemorate.
The 'Tiger 9' disc golf course will likely serve as a popular community amenity, but its name suggests that future public memorials in Summit may continue to prioritize institutional identity over explicit personal tribute.
