Finally! New Central Texas Course Gets Go Ahead

Now in my fourth year as a player, I'm proud to announce that yesterday I (finally!!!) got the go ahead to proceed on the project that first got me into this game.

The Burnet course, on the grounds of the very impressive Galloway Hammond Recreation Center is now a go!

This will eventually be a full 18-hole course, utilizing some very pretty creekside property behind the GHRC buildings.

14 holes have been designed and clearing will begin next week. baskets will also be ordered next week and we'll have at least 9 holes up for play ASAP.

Four holes will be located on a piece of adjacent property that the city is still in the process of acquiring. That land acquisition is part of the 10-year City of Burnet Parks and Rec Master Plan, (drafted by yours truly), so it will happen. It may be another year or so before we can actually put those holes in, however.

My goal is to have the other 14 permanent holes in by the end of the summer and use 4 temps for 18-hole play.

Now, about the course. I'm really excited with the design I've come up with. Changing park use plans have caused me to do redesign after redesign, but after yesterday's talks with the city and course layout work, we've come up with a very exciting set of disc golf holes. Length wise, we're not talking about a world class, USDGC length course. I'd compare hole lengths to a Lago style course. However, you'd best bring your touch game and some easily replaceable DX type plastic. Good use of trees, elevation and a vicious creek will reward good technique and punish errant shots. Of the 14 holes that are currently designed, up to 9 could be considered birdie holes...with teeth. Very large, sharp, dangerous teeth. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

I'll be making the call for weedeaters and ground clearers within the next several days. I'd welcome any and all helpers I can get. I could wait on the city to do it all for us, but I think not. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Although I'm real pleased with the design of the current layout, I'm always open for tweaking advice. Anyone that wants to come out and walk the course with me and offer some advice would be welcomed.

The course is located about 30 minutes from Rivery, about 45 minutes from Old Settler's and about 50 minutes from Lago. Email me or call me (830-385-9682) before you come out and I'll give you the nickel tour.

I'm so excited I can hardly sit still. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Congratulations! I guess hard work pays off. Nice job.

[rtinsa]

Sounds Sweet....Congrats..Mark.../msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Keep up the good work , take care!

RT

Thanks Erik, but the actual "hard work" is just about to start. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

RT, you and Russ will have to come and test it out with me. Its right on Hwy 281 coming into town about 1 hour 45 mins. north of Live Oak.

[ozdisc]

5{oors 20 has another location to choose from/msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

I have seen the park and it will definately be fun to play. A little elevation on one hole and then a nice deep creek running through the rest of the park.

Even cooler is the full size rec center with pool, gym, basketball courts etc all right next to the course. Even a RV park to hook up the Outback for tournaments/msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

[ozdisc]

Whats up with that? Has Atwood put a voodoo on the Coors word? Should say..."Cool. The Coors 20..."

Since the last time we walked it mate, its now a little elevation on one hole and a lot of elevation on another. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

I think Coors 20 will have to get in line behind the Miller Lite Burnet Open! /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Oh cool; beer wars. Talk about win win.

Ya BEER WARS! but with REAL BEERS!!!/msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif

you guys are gonna kill me with all these new courses. just tell me i won't have to mow any of the fairways and i'll be fine.

Sorry George, you're already signed up on the work detail list. What are you crying about anyway. You can bum cigs off me all day and maybe even get one of my wife's home cooked meals.

Now kwitcherbitchin and get back on that weedeater. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Great Job Mark.

Mark you can count on me for clean up!

and Lambos is only 30 miles from your Burnet course!

daddy laddy

Thanks Laddy. I'll certainly take you up on that.

Yeah, you're only about 25 minutes away.

See you at your house in a couple of weeks. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Mark, I'm so very sorry. I've been looking for a mailing address and entry info for some up coming events, could you PLEASE post again /msgboard/images/clipart/sad.gif

Wassup El Chile? Gimme a call, I'm not sure what info you need. 830-385-9682

Thanks Mark its it the mail.

[jpeacock]

Mark, North Shore may be able to help on the work day. Just keep me posted. In late May we will probaly need to schedule a LV Resort mow and weedeat to get us through the summer. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif JP

The New Baskets Are Here, The New Baskets Are Here! I'm Somebody Now!

/clipart/smile.gif

and you said it would be sept. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Hey Heatstroke let me know when you get ready plant those babies.

[vinnie]

mark set it up and we will come

Long way from my home, but I'll do my best, to come to your neck of the woods.....of course, I never know until about a week in advance, if the signifigant other is working Saturday or not....

[jpeacock]

Mark, what kind of baskets did you get? /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif JP

I'm there! Way to go Mark!/msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif

[seewhere]

yes Mark just let us know the word days and you can count on some DRAGON helpers!!

First 9 permanent baskets will be going in, as I have time, over the next couple of weeks. This is my busiest time of the year, evidently, but I'll get 'em in. After that, I'll put out the call for a workday where we'll spend time marking and raking tee areas (concrete pads are in the plans), sinking tee signposts and some light clearing (which really isn't too bad on the front). We'll need a second brush clearing workday to clear the backside of the course so that even though it may be awhile until we put the other permanent 9 in, we'll have the layout cleared well enough to have a little 18-hole get together with some temps.

Jon, we ended up getting the newly redesigned DISCatcher Pro models. I haven't busted out the tops from their boxes yet, but according to Innova, there's no such thing as ordering inner chains anymore. Now the Pro model comes standard with a new chain configuration that includes more than the original standard number of chains and is supposed to catch better than the old model with inners. Guess that means Burnet's course will be a trendsetter. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Mark, let me know when. I will bring the four wheeler and trailer to haul brush out. Anything for the sport of DG. Later Psycho. BTW hope you enjoyed the movie.

Yes Psycho, I did enjoy it very much.

League of Extraordinary Gentleman. Very fun movie that was really cool to watch, if you like comic book type story lines (which I DO), lots of cool action and some really interesting effects and scenery.

Your offer of help is greatly appreciated.

Popped open one of the boxes containing the newly redesigned Innova DISCatcher Pro tops this afternoon. Coooooool. At first glance it kinda harkens back to an older design I've seen that looks sort of like a wire spoked wheel. The new "standard" chain configuration looks real interesting. 24 Chains, 12 outer and 12 inner, with every other inner chain anchored while the others will have all the room they need to slide. The outer chains also look like they have more room to slide than previous designs have offered. I could be wrong, I'm not a basket historian. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Will the GHRC course (Galloway Hammond Recreation Center) be one of the first Texas courses to sport these new sweet targets? Enquiring minds want to know. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

[keithjohnson]

hey martyr...how did the hill country courses come out after claudette...looked like some destruction of one texas town but the only small disc golf city i recognized from the weather channel was victoria...did all of the courses in the path come out ok???..been thru a big hurricane(andrew)and know what happens to disc golf trees in big wind.....keith

That's an excellent question KJ. I'm gonna draft an email to my Vic-town buds right now and find out. I'm embarrassed that I hadn't already done so.

Everywhere else that I know of in Central Texas/Hill Country area was unaffected. We got some rain and strong breezes, but nothing of any consequence.

Well, judging by the date of my last post I was just a tad bit premature with my excitement level. /msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif

I'm happy to report that the first challenge match has just been played on the new permanent front 9 (which will actually be a bit re-numbered when all 18 goes in), between Chris H. and myself. I'm also happy to say that I pushed him to a tie at even through 9 and it took 2 playoff holes for him to beat me.

This is a fun course and as things settle down in my life a little, I'll be happy to meet people out at the course and show 'em around. You all have my email and cell # so come on out and see the new jewel of Central Texas golf.

[ozdisc]

Now if I had of known it was the first challenge match that would determine the Burnet course record I may have stepped it up a notch/msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif I am pacing myself for the big one next week. A win is still a win Rookie.

The course in Burnet is fun. Plenty of variety, trees and water. A few short and a couple of longer holes. I can't wait until the back 9 go in.

I would have let Mark have a rematch but I have to go and see Lance/msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Now that he's not near a computer, I can get the last word (temporarily). He made some outstanding shots. This is a course than anybody can play and anybody can get into trouble if they have a lapse. He had some lapses and I played well. Don't let him lie to you guys. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

I especially liked my perfect upshot on #5 and my clutch putt on #1 for a circle 3 and to push it to a second playoff hole. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Now, for the rest of you, this is a very fun 9-hole course that will eventually be 18. Some good elevation, lots of water in play, well placed greens taking advantage of some nice trees and it doesn't include one single short birdie hole that isn't also as dangerous as it is birdieable.

A good score here is gonna be -5 or -6, but you could also find about 4 O.B. strokes pretty easily. Y'all come, ya hear?

[slowmo_1]

You finally got it in I see. I'm looking forward to playing it next time I come visit my parents.

Hi Doug, yeah the first 9 are in and man are they sweet! I can't tell you how good it feels to stand on the hillside teebox of #3, overlooking the creek and the treetops, and seeing a basket down there on the nicely mowed green. Man, I love that hole. He11, I love the whole thing. And, if you guys think the first 9 are sweet, wait until you see the plans I've got for the next 9.

I'm going out there in a few minutes to put down stakes and ropes on the boxes. If anyone wants to come out today, gimme a holla on my cell. 830-385-9682.

Okay, there are temp wooden tee stakes with hole numbers in the ground and yellow tee ropes in place.

The City guys are out there now doing some trimming and cutting.

I didn't lose a disc today, but I did find an O.B. stroke in the creek (easily found) and missed several putts. Even yesterday and 3 today. Could get better, could be a lot worse. /msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif

[slowmo_1]

Hey Mark,

Do you have a proshop type thing set up in the rec center somewhere? New players in town are going to need a place to buy plastic.

Today I stretched the course record to a tad bit more respectable -2, doing it twice. I expect the first -5 will stay for some time, and will happen as soon as we get some more Pros shooting at it regularly (Sorry Chris /msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif).

Also, I got to play the first rain soaked round on our sweet little course, sharing those honors with Ching Lizard. A 2 wasn't good enough in the driving rain to threaten the record, but it was good enough to beat Ching by a stick. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Doug, not yet. We're working with the folks at Galloway Hammond Recreation Center to set up some retail displays, maps, scorecards and general info for the DG newbie. Should be soon.

My house is just down the street, though, if you really need anything now. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

[ching_lizard]

The rain just never slowed down a bit Martyr!!! Let's see a birdie on the first two holes should've been enough for me to coast to an easy win, but then I gave one stick back on #3, and 2 sticks more on number #4 with a circle 4!

I liked the course over-all though...

I like the shorter more technical courses with major potential for risk reward and the Burnett course certainly had all of that! I didn't like the walk from #6 to #7 though...hope you can do something about that one...the island hole you discussed might be a good option if you get to screw in the other nine holes.

BTW - so who owns the No Talent TD crown? /msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif /msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif

Great to get to play yet another new course with you! Thanks! Hope to get back up there again soon so that you can show me that Lago Vista course too!

The No Talent TD belt can never be challenged without me in the house lmao /msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif

Sorry Gimp, MA2 is too high a division to challenge for the crown. Maybe if you wait a year. /msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

Going out today to shovel some sand on a couple of the teeboxes. Should be in great shape by the end of this week, but I'll let you guys be the judge of that.

As for the walk from #6 to #7 that Ching mentioned, it is a little longer than what I would like, but its less than 300' I think. There were a lot of places where there had to be tees a little closer than I wanted to baskets too. None of them are too bad (again, please come see for yourself), but with the limited room I had to work with to design a full 18, I think we took the best advantage of the space and came up with some great holes in the process. Yes its true that short, tight and technical are accurate terms for this first 9, with only two holes offering you a chance to really air it out. However, I can't wait for you guys to see a few of the holes that WILL go in when the full 18 are in the ground.

Y'all come, ya hear?

[ching_lizard]

I liked the water danger everywhere...well, actually there was a little more water there than I usually like, but the stream had nothing to do with <U>that!</U> /msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif

Thanks for taking the time to show it to Mark...especially in the "schlock" we got to play it in! /msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif

Yeah, there is a little bit of a water hazard out there, huh? Let's see, #2 is about the only hole on the course where you absolutely can't put one in the water. That is unless you have the worst case of griplock in the history of DG. It would be dam hard to get wet on #5 and fairly difficult on #7, but it could be done with a really bad shot on both.

Don't be skeered.

WHERE IS THIS COURSE?

Well, the first ace went down at the GHRC course here in Burnet late yesterday afternoon. My friend and local casual dg'er JB Bradshaw nailed #3 on his way to a new 9-hole course record -4. I thought #2 would be the first to fall, but #3 is a sweet ace (down hill, over the creek, around trees and hyzer in). Wow!

Martin, take Hwy 29 west from G-town to Burnet (about 30+ miles) then take a left once you get to the main intersection in town on Hwy 281 and head south for a couple of miles. You'll see the big GHRC Rec Center on the left. Pull in and go around to the back of the main buildings and park. Hole #1 tees of on the north side of that 1st rear parking lot (blind birdie hole below a small ridge with a creek behind it).

Call me when you guys wanna come out and I'll give you the nickel tour of the course and the facility.

WOW You mean YOU didnt have the first ACE?

:D

Good luck this week, HACKER!!

WOW You mean YOU didnt have the first ACE?

:D



I know, shocking isn't it?

<font color="red"> NNNNOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!! </font> :cool:

okay you guys, we need to get some play on this thing so i can get some feedback before i start doing minis out here.

i'm thinking 3rd sundays but its not set in stone.

who's played it so far? i know we've had a few folks sneak into town and play without giving me a holla. i've heard from the folks at the rec center that's its getting a fair amount of weekend play. you guys that have played it tell me what you think.

i'm talking to the city right now about getting some permanent signs to replace the temporary wooden stakes (one of which has already disappeared - #5).

c'mon down, 'ya heer? :cool:

another -2 down dangit. but today i bust out with a -4 or a -5...maybe. i have managed to park my drives literally under the basket on #9 3 out of the last 5 times i've played. those have been like the best shots i've ever made playing disc golf. and i'm almost getting to the walking path on #5.

well, i hit my personal best of -3 today to tie himing. woohoo! highlights included a great birdie on #7, a pressure par putt on #8 and another park job on #9. lowlights included another missed bird on #2 (easiest bird on the course) and a stupid 4 on #5.

got a meeting with the city on monday to talk about tee signs and the rest of the holes. keep your collective fingers crossed.

[rickwright]

Way to go Mark, keep us posted on the course and I see a little road trip coming up

ricky, c'mon down. maybe you'll even get lunch or dinner outta the deal. :)

hey, its not that much of a road trip. i've been driving a minimum of 45 minutes to play wherever i went for 4 years. you guys come see me. :)

[dannyreeves]

I wanna play

starting thinking this morning about something out here soon. details are being worked on, but we may be able to give about 45 of you a chance to come over here and actually play some competitive rounds soon.

chris barely missed the course record yesterday (currently -4 with an ace), and should've had it. alas, all he could manage was to tie me at -3. poor pro. :)

after my meeting with the city on monday i'll have more to say.

danny, come on down. got plenty of floor space for a few that want to come play a couple of days worth of golf in the big b. :)

[dannyreeves]

Maybe sometime soon I can come down. I will ask JK if he wants to make a trip.

I think that we can help you out with that course record. :D

[tbender]

Dangit Mark, don't make me want to come out there....

alrighty then. i had my meeting with the city folks this morning.

monthly minis are a go. i still need to talk to a couple of folks running minis in the area to coordinate the best days, but it will be soon.

the other 9 holes may not be as far off in the future as we had first thought. in fact, by the end of spring, we may be looking at an awesome full 18-hole course here. for the time being, we'll cap our minis (and anything else we do) at 45 and play 2 rounds of the 9 hole course.

tee signs will be ordered today or tomorrow. along those lines, i really need someone out there to please, please, please hook me up with a laser range finder. i need to get some reasonably accurate distances, and with the terrain i'm working with, a measuring wheel isn't gonna work well enough. anyone who can help me out with this will be rewarded with a free instructional lesson from the burnet course pro. okay, maybe a 6 pack of your favorite beverage would be a little more incentive. :)

there may be an announcement as early as this week for a grand opening little one day tourney. stay tuned to this thread for details. i'll post them as soon as i finalize them.

for now, the rec center doesn't want to get into retail sales just yet. i'm taking a box of used loaners out there to them later this morning for the locals and newbies who are interested in the sport, but if you need discs when you're in town, you can call me and i'm only 5 minutes away. heck, you can come shop in my garage, if'n you wanna. :)

got to go line up the tee sign order and work on the course map. i'll have more to post soon. remember, if you have an accurate measuring device, the burnet course needs your help.

[spartan]

who is in charge of up keeping, marka? Who will be doing all the mowing and picking up trash? I can only hold so many empty beer cans in my bag during a round. ;)

Hey Mark, we will be out there the 20th,&amp;21st. Where's the course and is it cart freindly? I'll bring Myles the Wonder Dog to be my witness to the NEW course record,..... set by an old Geezer...he-he-he
The Polish Stallion

martin, the city has been doing a great job of clearing and mowing, but we need to be diligent in keeping the place clean. good 1st impressions and all that, you know. :)

geno, i'd love for a fossil to set the course record. hell, one holds it now. i had reported a -4 but i was corrected the other day. its a -5 with an ace, or so i was told by a witness. and the guy who shot it is closer to your age than mine (although you and i ain't that far apart. lol)

as for being cart friendly, 90% of it is perfect for a cart. however, until a couple of planned bridges get built, there are two holes where you have to cross a creek that aren't cart friendly at all. you be the judge, but bring a bag for your first look around just in case.

You didn't tell me how to get there! We are going striper fishing and will be at the lake, but if it's to windy I'll probably come by and play a round sat. or sun. I'll talk Larry into going too. He can't catch a fish anyway. :D<font color="orange"> </font>

striper fishing at lake buchanan? cool! there's a couple of fun largemouth holes at inks lake too. need a guide? i don't drink too much. well, that's not true. actually, i'm a terrible guide too. hmmm...let me rephrase the question. you need someone to freeload on the boat, catch all your fish and drink all your beer?

directions from austin are simple. travel on i-35 to georgetown and take the highway 29 exit. head west and you'll run into burnet in about 33 miles. do the speed limit through a little town called bertram. trust me on this. when you get into burnet, go to the 3rd light, which is highway 281, and turn left/south. you'll see the rec center on your left 2 or 3 miles down. pull in and go around to the back of the main buildings and tee #1 is right there on the edge of the parking lot. walk toward the creek a bit so that you can spot the basket before you throw. its short, but its blind with a creek behind it.

have fun and let me know when you guys get out there and i'll try to join you.

We are connoisseurs of CHEAP BEER.... not sure u would appreciate our brand. E-mail me your cell # and I'll sure call ya if we get to play, I mean compete...it's not just a game anymore....therefor we are athletes challenging the course...right?
As for the boat, I think we have 4 going in ours, 4 in Larry's and 6 in Dennis'...... is that a bunch of drunk slobs or what? :p

[ching_lizard]

Did someone say "free beer?" :D:D:D

Still waiting on that announcement Mark-oh! :confused: