FELTON — San Lorenzo Valley now has its own disc golf course, an invigorating hike through the woods behind the junior high school campus.

The 18-hole course was installed by seventh- and eighth-graders in the Nature Academy, an alternative program at San Lorenzo Valley Junior High, under the supervision of their teachers, Carter Milhous,Melissa Stockton and Steve Kiel.

Players fling Frisbees toward a chain-link basket that serves as the "hole." A traditional golf course has greens and sand traps; a disc golf course has poison oak and trees that make it difficult to see the target.

Milhous said students learned about disc golf last year and wanted to be able to play locally. DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz has a top-notch course that lured 350 competitors for a tournament last month, but it’s not easy for kids to get there if they can’t drive.

Roy McKee, 14, who worked on the new course, describes disc golf as a good alternative to watching TV.

"You don’t have to be particularly good," he said. "You can just go out and have fun with your friends."

The course is named Black Mouse for a nearby trail used by the high school cross country team.

It’s a steep climb to the first hole, but the walk through the woods is shady. Each starting point is marked by posts, and each basket is set into cement. Par for each hole is 3.

Students got advice from Tom Schot, a member of the Disc Golf Hall of Fame and designer of the DeLaveaga course, and Jack Trageser, a Felton resident who serves as the course pro.

"We spent a lot of weekends mixing cement," said McKee.

That’s not all.

"They had to clear poison oak," said Eric Schoffstall, who oversees alternative programs for the school district. "The kids have done a ton of work."

The course still needs signs to direct players from hole to hole, but Schot has already decided it will co-host the World Disc Games in July 2003 along with the DeLaveaga facility.

Last month, students in the Nature Academy hosted their first disc golf tournament, netting more than $300. The money will help buy kiosks where players can make donations for their use of the course. The same approach is used at the DeLaveaga course, which takes in several hundred dollars a month from players.

"It’s sort of an honor system," said Milhous.

The Felton course takes about an hour to play, according to Skylar Storey, 13, who’s been lucky enough to score a birdie, one stroke under par.

Schoffstall said he appreciates students creating something for people who want to stay active.

"Disc golf is a life sport, something you can do forever," he said.

Students are looking for sponsors to pay for the baskets and upkeep. A three-year sponsorship costs $600. For course and sponsorship information, call Jack Trageser at 335-2465 or e-mail jackt888@pacbell.net

Contact Jondi Gumz at jgumz@santa-cruz.com.