Like many others, I lamented the day the University golf course officially closed to make way for more capital expansion. USTAR facilities are a fantastic boon for the U and for the state, but the nine short holes of golf (that cost less than $5 and could almost be played during a single lunch hour) were the focal point of many undergraduate memories.

The course suffered a long and terrible death, slowly losing some hook-side rough to Trax on the 5th and 6th tees, and some yardage on the 7th green. The experience reminds me of a game my brother and I often play called, “would you rather.” It goes something like this, “would you rather be cheese-grated to death or cauterized an inch at a time.” Reflecting on the golf course I suppose I can now ask in retrospect, “Would I rather the golf course suddenly disappear or be carved to bits over ten years.”

Today at lunch I decided I would walk up to the former 6th green and pull out my stunt kite—an activity that was never possible in the past. It was nice to see students still practicing their swings in the fairways and people enjoying the open space reading and walking. The northwest wind raced up federal heights and dissipated nicely through the fairway providing a perfect updraft to launch a kite. As the kite performed dives and axles only feet above the still lush grass, I figured there were probably sick children watching with fascination from the windows of Primary Children’s hospital.

Sure, campus is quickly changing (it seems like there is a new building completed every other week) but it was nice to know there was still a place to get away from the bustling campus sidewalks. I’m hoping for more windy days in the coming months, so I can take my sack lunch up to the 6th green and launch my kite.