A New course in Houston just about ready

[tarazarr]

Here is my last post/plee on this subject..There are 51 members on this board

How many years do you think it will take for the parks and rec department to build 5 new quality courses?

We could do it in 2 years. I have 3 sites on privately owned land that I know I could sell the idea of hosting a course on. 1 will easily hold a 36 hole course, 1 an 18 hole course and 1 can host a 9 hole lighted nightime course. And I have not even looked real hard outside of my local commute

If you read the earlier post you can see how easily we could get allot of local businesses to either build the baskets for us for free or sponsors could donate some needed materials.

Do you want to wait 10 years for the next 5 courses to be built? Remember, I did say quality courses.

When we get the process down to a science on how to get these built by donation, what public park wouldn't allow us to come in and design and build a championship caliber course at no cost to them. I'm sure they don't get those kind of proposals every day.

Interested? Please read on and thank you

[DPdiscer]

Hi Scott,

Keep on keeping on man! Please remove DPdiscer from your involvement list and replace it with Birdshot as this is a committment from the whole sports organization, not just me. Thanks Scott.

[tarazarr]

Thank you for your support Chuck and thank you Birdshot!

It's like my dad always told me....."If you don't ask, you can garuantee the answer is no."

So I'm asking, houston disc golfers will you step up and name your hole?

1. Tarazarr
2. Birdshot
3. ???????
4. ???????
5. ???????
6. ???????
7. ???????
8. ???????
9. ???????

[Jake Walsdorf]

Glad to see someone else trying to get new courses in the Houston area. Don't get disgusted with it taking 10 years to get 1 course in the ground. That's 1 more then we had before. Words of advise: 1) get a professional to design the course (and look at the courses that designer has completed). 2) If it's truly a "championship level course" use PDGA approved baskets, not homemade targets. 3) Do you homework on course development in the Houston area so as not to insult folks that came before you. Some use to think Tom Bass was a quality park. 4) Instead of trying to get all of the knuckheads on that read this board to help (I know most of them, so I can say that) find some grant money to pay for baskets and construction. Now, that's course development work!

Most of all, good luck... And keep us posted.

[tarazarr]

Originally Posted by Jake Walsdorf

Glad to see someone else trying to get new courses in the Houston area. Don't get disgusted with it taking 10 years to get 1 course in the ground. That's 1 more then we had before. Words of advise: 1) get a professional to design the course (and look at the courses that designer has completed). 2) If it's truly a "championship level course" use PDGA approved baskets, not homemade targets. 3) Do you homework on course development in the Houston area so as not to insult folks that came before you. Some use to think Tom Bass was a quality park. 4) Instead of trying to get all of the knuckheads on that read this board to help (I know most of them, so I can say that) find some grant money to pay for baskets and construction. Now, that's course development work!

Most of all, good luck... And keep us posted.

Thanks man, I'm trying real hard to get the local professional designer on board...Hopefully she's interested..

I know you've worked real hard down south and I appreciate the work you've done even if I don't get down there often to play. Much respect...

I would never suggest "home made baskets", but custom fabricated PDGA spec baskets made by a few very talented metal workers I know? (think custom bike building type metal work) building these spec baskets are childsplay to these talented guys and they'd do it just to show off what they can do and to promote their business.I wouldn't have a problem throwing my 15.00 plastic at that.

Thanks for wishing us luck, I believe some of the knuckleheads will step up....sad to think it could be 10 years before we play another new park, doesn't have to be that way......

[ThePatrick]

That would probably be the closest course to me at that point. I am sure that Tiff and I could help in some facet.

[ThePatrick]

And we are both current YMCA members...Probably willing to help with a EDGE style program.

[tarazarr]

Thank you Patrick, please talk it over with Tiff, if you guys can commit to one hole we'd love to have you on board and we'll be that much closer to making this a reality.

Everyone who has commented here has urged rather strongly that a professional designer be completely involved. I just want to say, I had a very positive discussion yesterday with a very well respected local professional designer. If they are willing to comit to a hole, then obviously they will have the green light in doing the course design, that only makes sense.

I know there are a few thinking about it. For each person who steps up, I think theres 1 more ready to comit.

Look at what Jake said below, if you know anything about the local history of disc golf (as I'm pretty sure everyone here does) you KNOW this man knows what he's talking about. He has lived it...10 years for another course...if that's our reality for not getting personally involved in building new courses, then lets be honest the shame should be on us and we don't deserve a new course...

That is a very gloomy option, and I'm willing change that reality.

What kind of reality do you want to see for disc golf in Houston?
1 new course every 10 years?
1,2 or even 3 new courses a year...it truly is your decision..

Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege."

--John D. Rockefeller Jr.,
businessman and philanthropist

[ERicJ]

What are you proposing for tee signs? Will they be consistent across all 18 holes or will each sign be different based on the whims of the hole's owner?

[tarazarr]

Originally Posted by ERicJ

What are you proposing for tee signs? Will they be consistent across all 18 holes or will each sign be different based on the whims of the hole's owner?

Thanks for looking at the thread EricJ, I hope you'll seriously consider getting involved, a new course only creates more options when your ready to play a round and your tired or bored of the same course you've been drawn to year after year.

As far as the T-signs, if "I" propose something here, then I'm quite sure it will be criticized by those who have no intent in being involved in making the course a reality, so those questions would be decided by those who are personally involved. Maybe a few proposals are presented, keeping in mind those involved may very well seek a sponsor to pay for "their" basket and/or Tee box and those sponsors would and should be recognized for their contribution, then a vote taken by those involved with an understanding that the majority rules for consistency.

Let me ask you, what would keep you away from participating? Feeling like you have no input? If we have a professional designer join in and lay it out so that it is a safe course with good flow, I'm certain those who care enough and are passionate enough to be involved in creating, what will become, the newest course in town, are disc golfers and should be given the freedom to stand in the area of their tee box and look down "their" fairway or wooded area and say to themselves, "this is what I would do" and be free to do it, otherwise what motivation would they have to go out and secure a sponsor or two to make their hole a reality.

If it's a project of nothing more than free labor, I wouldn't ask you to get involved, I wouldn't ask anyone to get involved, I wouldn't be involved. I'd just sit back and wait 10 years for "someone else" to build a course.

I may not have the time to build 18 holes, but I surely have the time, energy and passion to build one, proudly put my name on it and know that I've made disc golf in Houston a little better for it. And honestly I'd feel privilaged if others thought I did a decent enough job on my hole, to ask me if I'd be interested in doing it again at another location. It would become as addicting as the sport itself.

peace man

I sure hope you and others will consider adding your name to the list.