Quote:
Originally Posted by tarazarr
I can't even put into words how disappointed I am to hear all this....
1. Disc Golfers breaking into the donation box.
2. Disc Golfers calling people trying to sell them their disc back for 5 bucks that they pulled from the ravine.
3. Disc Golfers who show such blatan disrespect for the property owners rules regarding alcohol on the course.
And this is how they behave on a church course.. It's no wonder is it?
1. Why Disc Golf courses like Oak Meadows become restricted and completely private so quickly.
2. Why HPARD hasn't been a huge supporter of Disc Golf in the past.
3. Why Disc Golf tournments are struggling to find sponsorships and the sport as a whole has stagnated
4. Why Disc Golf can't gain respect in the community.
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First let me say that it has been my experience that disc golfers by and large are good folks who don't break the rules. The small group of troublemakers that cause problems are few and far between and not disc golfers. Unfortunately their actions are often seized on to paint all of us as miscreants. We can't let this happen. If you see someone being an ***** on the course call them out on it. Let them know that they need to respect the property and that you'll be watching them. We've had some success at TLV in cutting down trash and driving fast in the park because disc golfers are willing to call people out on being an ***** in the park.
Having said that I don't feel that your lists are an accurate assessment of the situation. From what I've read on this board there has only been speculation that the donation box was broken into by disc golfers; until we know who did it I see no reason that disc golfers need to accept blame. The folks calling and offering to sell discs are obviously not disc golfers anymore than I am a carpenter because I own a hammer. I'd also guess that the people flaunting the no-alcohol policy are also not disc golfers but instead beer drinkers who happen to throw discs.
I guess what I'm saying is that the disc golf community shouldn't be so quick to accept blame for the actions of folks who are not part of the community. Instead we need to be more active in educating casual players about what is acceptable behavior on the course. The folks who are disc golfers are the ones leading by example. The folks causing trouble are not part of the disc golf community.