34 Nebraskaland • May 2026
Rodiek's interest in the sport came before he was hired by
Chadron State Park when he was a college student.
In high school, the South Dakota native participated in
disc golf tournaments at the world level and also collaborated
with his father, Dusty, to design courses. Their Nebraska work
from those days includes courses at Medicine Creek, Lewis
and Clark, and Fort Kearny state recreation areas, as well as
high-ranking courses at McCook's Kelley Park and Kearney's
Cottonmill Park.
Now, as an assistant administrator for engineering for
Game and Parks, Rodiek carries even more influence on the
development of courses throughout Nebraska. "The agency
has shown initiative to continue to add courses across the
state," Rodiek said. "It's a growing sport. In the past 10 years,
we've probably added 10 courses."
Disc golf courses are attractive to park managers for many
reasons. Rodiek said courses at the state parks cost only
about $6,000 to install. Materials consist mostly of baskets,
concrete and signage. Beyond the initial investment, there's
not much extra maintenance required and people bring their
own equipment to play.
Rodiek considers the Chadron course and a newer one he
helped design at Windmill State Recreation Area near Gibbon
jewels in the state park system.
The latter was completed in August 2024 with thoughtful
design considerations and regulation tees and baskets among
the park's six lakes and namesake windmills. "The course is
well-manicured and everything is built to specs," he said.
Rodiek said the Pine Ridge scenery makes Chadron,
Nebraska's first state park, a top offering as well — especially
hole 12 that features a dramatic drop of elevation with buttes
in the background.
"Chadron has a lot of elevation shots," he said. "There's a lot
of different varieties of golf as you play that course. It's in a
unique location."
ABOVE: A group tees off toward hole 17, one of the fairways at Chadron State Park
featuring a drop in elevation. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
RIGHT: A group collects its discs under the pines at Chadron State Park. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
Jake Rodiek plays a round with his children at Mahoney State Park.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
