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I'm just an old noob with disc golf, but as time goes on and I gain more experience, I would love to get more involved in events and such.
I'm actually a bit disappointed in the state of affairs for disc golf in my area. Unfortunately, there's a big side effect to a sport like this that is free, and that is money. Money makes the world go 'round and 'round and it's hard to make something move along when there's little to money flowing in to keep it moving.
I've only been playing for maybe 3 months now, but I do so love playing and can honestly say I'm addicted for sure.
I play at the Fort Steilacoom course and have not played any other course in the Puget Sound area yet, but plan to eventually. My initial impression of the Fort Steilacoom park was a bit of a shock as I've seen run down neighborhoods in the Hilltop area of Tacoma look better than the Fort Steilacoom course. I can only hope that this an isolated example of what courses are like, if not and it's more widespread, then it's a very big shame.
My first shock was the amount of litter throughout the course... I asked my friends why there were no trash cans. I was told that there used to be trash cans, but that someone or several people or different groups were vandalizing the trash cans to the point that they had to be taken out. The "Pack it in, pack it out" idea is of course a great idea, but then again, those who vandalized the trash cans are not going to heed such a thing. If they were more than willing to vandalize, what makes anyone think they'll pack their trash back out with them to the dumpster at the parking lot.
The general condition of the course itself as a course seems really bad to me also. It's hard to distinguish one lane from another, baskets missing, benches busted up and or missing, signs vandalized, painted on or missing. Though I do enjoying playing there, I feel almost as if I need to apply for Welfare to play there.
My point is, if this is what the majority of courses are like in Washington, then no wonder it's events are falling on hard times.
Add to that another ill effect I recently felt with Disc Golf at the Fort Steilacoom course. My son's friend who's been playing since he a very small child loaned his disc to his cousin back in February and his cousin lost that disc. Now the person who currently handles the losts disc for this course has some (what I think are odd) odd management styles of taking care of lost discs. He does at least put a list of what has been found, offers a number to call, but states that you may not leave a message if you do not get a hold of him. The information goes on to state (now, as it's been updated recently) that they will only hold discs for 30 days before selling them off. What is not mentioned is that if you are not a member of the club for this course, they will not call you if they have your disc, even if your name and number are clearly printed and visible on your disc. Maybe, just maybe there's something legitimate behind this, but thus far, I do not see it and feel that this just plain and simple bull shit. To further my dislike of this particular situation is that this person is rarely ever seen at the course. In my 3 months of playing, 3 or 4 days a week, I've only seen this person once. I've many other also complain about this. You can't leave a message, he won't call you and he's rarely ever at the course. This just doesn't seem to be the way to handle such things. Lastly to top off the bad experience is the elitist attitude the man had toward this young man looking for his lost disc. The man simply just talked down to him as if he were nothing, unimportant and nothing but a waste of his elite time. The crowd that was also with this man, whom I assume were all part of this regions club were also a bit rude to others around the area. Such an attitude and actions will not gain new paying members to the club for this region, also furthering the possible demise of others wanting to participate in events or anything else.
If this is also a copy of the attitude from other clubs in Washington, you have yet another reason why events and loyalty to disc golf maybe diminishing.
But as I said, I really want to get involved eventually, but the course is a bit depressing and my first contact with the local club left me with a bitter taste that will be hard to sweeten any time soon.
Before I possibly get thrashed for saying these things, I do not have any suggestions to resolve any of the situations. I'm not part of the problem nor am I part of the solution at this time. But I believe something needs to be done to try and turn such things around.
It could be also that due to my lack of experience and time in the Disc Golf community, that maybe I'm not seeing things as they are. If so, do not be too harsh on me for my current view of things. Given more time, I'll gain more experience and also maybe have a different point of view, or still see the same things, but by then maybe have some suggestions to resolve some things.
~Garrett
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June 12th, 2009, 12:42 AM
This part of the forum is DEAD
). 
Right now, I'm still at the stage of trying out different discs and griping, reading tutorials and such.
I think I'll get the support of our President since he's the one throwing down the challenge. 
