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Straight from the horse's mouth... that is, from a Benton County employee via e-mail:
The course idea was from a local player in 2007. Our park ranger at Two Rivers Park really grabbed hold of the idea, believing it would be a great way to boost patronage in the park, which has been in decline over the years. Our Park Board endorsed the project.
The course is 18 holes, with an additional practice target, and a "19th Hole" area with tables, bulletin board, vending machines, and nice view of the surroundings. This is a manicured park setting, which will contrast with the natural ecology found at the area's lone existing course -- Columbia Park. As such, the grounds are "comfortable"... players will be making their way almost entirely on mowed lawns beneath mature tree canopy. The park is immaculately kept by our park ranger.
The course is flat. On the North Nine, there are a couple of elevated tees, but that's it for topography. The course is essentially sandwiched between a raised levee on one side, and the Columbia River on the other. The course was primarily designed by our park ranger with some input from local players. I think he did a fantastic job, and despite the lack of topography or natural encumbrances, there is a lot of challenge in the course in terms of layout. I think it will be enjoyable both for the novice and the more seasoned player.
Holes range from 184-feet to 820-feet. DGA Mach III targets are being used. Tee pads are rubberized horse stall mats. Many tees have benches made from natural basalt rock found onsite, and over time we will decorate with plants, rocks, and other material. It is important to me that the course be not only very playable for disc golfers, but also aesthetic overall. Along with the vending machines, the park has potable water and centralized restrooms. There is plenty of parking and lots of attractive rivershore to hang-out at after your round. We will provide scorecards with pencils and will have an "iron ranger" at the 19th Hole where a modest donation will be asked for.
At this time, I do not have a map that I can send to you, but will shortly. We plan to dedicate the course on the evening of XXXXXXXXX, but please do not put that on your website just yet. We have a fairly unique issue here in that the park is land leased from the US Army Corps of Engineers, and we do not yet have the final approval to dig those holes for the targets (due to cultural resources concerns). I fully expect to get clearance in XXXXXXXXX, but I don't have it yet. I will keep you posted.
Financial investment will be on the order of $15-18k by the time we are through, all paid by the County. This is in addition to the work time invested by the park ranger, who has constructed the entire course himself.
We continue to get a fair number of players who have heard about what we are doing that show up at the park sniffin' around. Some of them try to play the layout, which is marked with tee pads and simple stakes where the targets will go. We know there is a lot of excitement, and we are feeling good about the project. I hope we get a lot of play, and look forward to working with you and others in the disc golf community to make the course a success.
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April 2nd, 2009, 02:13 AM
Finley, WA: Two Rivers Park
