FLYING DISC JOCKEY EAGLE QUEST TAKES SCOUT ON A FLING.

Byline: Amy Raisin Darvish Staff Writer

SAUGUS - Boy Scout Michael Morrisette knew the project required for him to earn the rank of Eagle Scout would be challenging, but he never expected it would be so much fun or have the potential to entertain so many in the community.

Construction begins this week on Santa Clarita's first public Frisbee disc golf course, a nine-hole course that will stretch along the northern edge of Central Park in Saugus.

The city-funded project was already in the early stages when Morrisette came aboard, and he will help oversee it through to completion.

``Scouting has done so many things for me,'' Morrisette said. ``My dad was an Eagle Scout, and I always wanted to be just like him. But I got lucky with my (Eagle Scout) project. I went to the city and asked if they had a project I could do.''

Morrisette, 14, who lives in Canyon Country with his parents and younger sister, will join fellow Scouts from Troop 58 and members of Santa Clarita's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department on Saturday at the park to begin the course installation process.

Like the original game of golf, Frisbee disc golf relies on a simple objective: try to direct the Frisbee into the hole, or in this case, the basket. No golf club or golf balls are needed.

Each of the nine holes will have a starting point with a designated par value - on a par 3, for example, players will be even if they need only three tosses of the Frisbee to get the disc into the basket.

The baskets, made of galvanized steel, will be anchored in the ground, with a series of chain links toward the top to ensnare the disc.

Michael's father, John Morrisette, said he is consistently impressed by his son's dedication, determination and strength of character, much of which he credits Scouting with helping to develop.

``He's a good kid on his own, but he became a Cub Scout when he was 7 years old, and I see him making choices based on the ideals he's learned in Scouting,'' John Morrisette said. ``He's learned about everything from survival skills to how to manage his money. This project is a big thing for him.''

To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, Michael Morrisette, who this fall will begin his sophomore year at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, must oversee the disc golf course project and submit a report about his experience once the course is completed.

``To become an Eagle Scout, not only is it a big deal in Scouting, it's a big deal outside of Scouting,'' Michael Morrisette said. ``There's some statistic that something like 70 percent of astronauts were Eagle Scouts. It really helps you learn about life.''

Amy Raisin Darvish,[phone]

amy.raisin(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Eagle Scout Michael Morrisette is helping to design a new Frisbee golf course for Central Park in Saugus.

(2 -- color) Lining up one of the Frisbee golf baskets in his sights, Eagle Scout Michael Morrisette lets his Frisbee sail.

(3) Michael Morrisette convinced the city of Santa Clarita to let him help build a Frisbee golf course at Central Park.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News