Possible Champoeg Tournament
 

I have been pondering running a sanctioned tourney out at Champoeg State Park, but I was wondering if anyone could fill me in on the history, as I understand that in the past there were tourneys out there and I dont want to step on anyones toes. Thanks

There haven't been any tournaments there for quite a while. As I understand it, the Ranger in charge out there wasn't a big fan of the dg and either wouldn't allow a tournament or charged so much to reserve the space that it was prohibitive. I don't know if the same Ranger is still in charge.

New ranger in charge.

Please know... they will want a minimum of $100 to close the park and will insist that you provide insurance or they will charge you another $600-$700 for that.

Let us know what you decide. :cheers:

As I understand it they have a new Ranger in charge. Ask! I'd love to play a tournament out there.

Bob

New ranger
 

yeah thats what sparked the idea is that there was a new ranger, I was more interested in knowing who if anyone used to run the toruneys out there and if they were going to be difficult to work with, or offended by a newby trying to get something going... I will just start with the Parks folks and see about the insurance issues... Is it possible to avoid the insurance issue by having waivers signed by participants? I have noticed this trend over the last couple years???????

Signed waivers are worthless from a legal standpoint. Get the insurance through the PDGA because it's cheap and it will CYA. Talk to Magilla about dates so you don't schedule anything over another local event. Find out who the park supervisor is and be courteous and respectful when informing them of your intentions. It would help if you could explain to them how this will benefit the park and the course itself. (Donate a certain percentage of entry fees to the park in exchange for them waiving any park fees). If done right, the rangers will work with you and help to prepare the course for the tournament. Good luck and have fun.

Todd Andrews

Maybe we can work the goodwill of a tournament into 3 more holes. Or eventually another course on the other side of the park. I drove through there yesterday and it was :drool:.

That is actually my idea to use this tournament and any future tourneys as fundraisers for the remaining three baskets needed to complete an 18 hole course, I have run many many poker tourneys as well as a travelling handicap disc golf leauge and I have helped assistant TD some tourneys for Terry. I am confident we can get soemthing done, but I jsut wanted to avoid any turf wars, as there are many other courses to run tourneys at, I just know it is a good middle ground for most golfers and a great course for all conditions through out the year as well as all levels of players.

Thanks Todd!

Since there have been NO tournaments held in recent history I don't believe you would be stepping on any toes or need be concerned with Turf wars. I think your idea will be met with much enthusiasm and support from the disc golf community. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Bob

You will have to work around 2 different schedules. The local disc golf scene and the park schedule. Champoeg is a popular place. The bicycle crowd has events there several times a year.

Making the course bigger would be great!
I like to play there because it is the only local place where you can legally drink beer on the course.:cheers:

You can drink at Dabney as well :chug: :jumpspin:

You can drink at all State Parks, and a few County Parks too (e.g., Waterloo), but I think he meant local to Salem.

allright... stay tuned, more to come I will keep everyone informed!

Actually local to Keizer. 18.6 miles and it is almost a straight shot there. I can make it there under 30 minutes on the country roads. All the other legal places to drink are more than an hour away.

As for History of the tournaments at Champoeg, Roy Van Houten ran what was then the longest running tournament in the State. The Oak Grove Open ran for 20 years. At that point he thought that 20 was enough and some else could take over. I beleive the last Oak Grove Open was at least 5 years ago.

As adding new holes to Champoeg, I believe Roy has submitted a plan to add 3 more baskets yearly for the last 10 plus years. Only to but his head into a wall. The Park will not budge for any extra land (and I mean ANY). The only possibility would be to rework the course. This has already been done in the past to get to the 15 holes that are there now. I would hat to see this happen again.

As for the new Ranger, there is a new ranger, but the old ranger was promoted and now is the new rangers direct supervisor and any changes would have to go through him.

Having ran an Oregon Series Event and helping Roy with the Oak Grove Open at Champoeg. The insurance question was just starting to be an issue. The funds we had to come up with was Renting a Shelter and part of the park. Some of these funds were waived for our volunteer work and or purchasing the players pack discs from the Friends of Champoeg. The disc with the Champoeg seal on the disc.

Jim

Bingo
 

This is exactly what I was hoping for in response to my question, Thanks Jim! Very informative and now I know plenty to move forward!

I understand that the old ranger is now in a position of increased power but his boss sits in a bigger chair in Salem. With the recent interest in continuing the existence of Disc Golf courses in State Park, soon to add LL Stub Stewart to the list, you would think a properly placed phone call or letter would stir the pot enough to dislodge the old rangers misplaced malice toward organized park use for disc golf events.