As President of the SDGA, I have a vision to
expand Golf opportunities in this area, work to make our courses,
fully functional, and
promote one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. So that you know what I mean, here are some of the things that I believe comprise a fully-functional course, and what’s needed at our courses. I’d love to hear your comments.
1. Level, secure Tee Pads – adequate in size for the distance of the hole. – Number 3 & 13 at High Bridge need work. A new pad and foundation are needed for hole #8 at Downriver.
2. Durable quality baskets – The structure of our baskets seem to be in pretty good shape at both courses. Unfortunately, some decided on their own to rattle-can some of the baskets with several colors of paint at Downriver. I have also had to cover over some of the graffiti on the yellow bands at High Bridge.
Technically, however the Cool Shoes baskets at Downriver are acceptable but not PDGA approved.
3. Benches – Though optional, it would be nice to have them on all or part of the holes for 11, 12, 16, 18, 2, & 6 at High Bridge – Downriver could use more as well. We don’t currently have them on holes 15, 17, 18, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, & 13.
4. Easily visible Tee Signs with accurate maps, distances, pars etc. – In place at Downriver and in process at High Bridge. We now have raised $900.00 by selling sponsorships on 11 holes, and have traded for the Graphic Design work with Zyph Martin Design on 2 others.
5. Well placed, durable directional signage to direct the players through the course. In place on only a few holes here and there. Still needed on both courses.
6. Quality, sturdy Kiosks for the display of tournament information, announcements, photos, maps, brochures etc. – I’ve worked with Steve Adams of the Latah Community Development Group and Taylor Bressler - The City Parks Operation Manager to obtain funds for two Kiosks at High Bridge. I just found out that they have granted us $500.00 for this purpose. David Smith a Disc Golfer and builder has volunteered his time and talents to help to construct these.
In addition, a larger two-sided, roofed Kiosk near Tourney Central would be an improvement at Downriver.
7. Practice Baskets – A dedicated practice basket allows players to warm up prior to a game or tournament in a safe area, or just work on refining their putting. A practice basket should therefore be placed near the most frequently used starting place for players. Downriver currently has an unsafe and virtually unused practice basket as it is too close to hole 18’s pin. This anchor should be used as an alternate pin position on that hole – as we are trying to establish ‘alternate pins’ at that course. The Disc Catcher basket used at that location is ‘out of place’ – being the only yellow-topped Disc Catcher at the course. It was originally purchased along with the baskets at High Bridge. This would be the perfect practice basket for High Bridge and should be moved near hole #11 as this is the most frequently used starting place for players at High Bridge (besides, Taylor Bressler won’t allow us to put a practice basket it in the grassy area near hole #1).
In addition, one of our Cool Shoes or DGA baskets currently should be taken out of storage and installed on the western side of the table near tourney central at Downriver as a practice basket for that facility.
Unfortunately many of these components have not previously been deemed priorities. I am actively working to change that. See my latest report entitled
ONGOING IMPROVEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS at
www.sdga.us to see what's been happening to improve our courses. This will be posted soon.
Please contact a Board Member before attempting to rectify any of these concerns. They are mentioned here to identify and clarify part of the vision I have for our courses, and to elicit comments.
Thanks for reading and hopefully commenting,
Jeff Crum (Sky Pilot)
President SDGA
September 17th, 2010, 04:25 PM
Components of a Fully-Functional Disc Golf Course
I perfer to do things right the first time.
