[Sky Pilot]

I am very pleased that you take such notice of things at Downriver. And work so hard to take care of it.
The problem isn't that I don't care about Downriver, it's that I probably cared too much and was disappointed too many times.
I first began to become discouraged with Downriver when the redesign didn't happen in 09'.
In addition, I also didn't particularly like the direction of hole #2's tee pad. It was pointed directly at #17's basket. When the Board toured the course to discuss changes mandated by the City a while back we talked about tee pad placement for #2. When I saw the work on the pad I was impressed and grateful that they did a fine job - just disappointed about the alignment of it. I also was disappointed when I recently saw the state of the Tee Signs at that course. They have suffered a great deal of damage since I refinished them in 2010.
Downriver is a great area with wonderful potential, I just think that we need to start over and do it up right.
It was also discouraging to me that I stated in no uncertain terms that hole #8 was the best example of a violation of the city's rules concerning breaking down the bank when people retrieve their discs from the waters edge. Unfortunately, nothing has been done about this. Bressler (the City Park Operations Manager) and I will be touring Downriver soon to apprise him of the changes. If I was a liar I could steer him away from #8 and tell him we changed it, but that's not my style.
Personally I think Downriver needs an upgrade. I'd like to see the club seriously consider a true re-design. Since we like to nit-pick so much about that course, perhaps we could just pay a real course designer to do it. Then when the criticisms come (and indeed they will) we could refer the grumblers to the designer.
On another note: In case anyone sensible want to know. the benches at High Bridge have been painted recently. We lapsed into a really practical mode in a moment of sheer inspiration and just decided to use the same color on the tee signs and the benches for ease of maintenance. Besides, we still have quite a bit of the same color available.
Just because someone has ninety gallons of free paint doesn't mean that we should repaint the Convention Center.
Thanks for your dedication to Downriver, Joe, and yes I do care.

Sky Pilot