Tree Destruction at Cameron Park (Waco)

I went out to Cameron (the olde course) at lunch today and upon arrival found that some sorry [*****] had cut down the tree that was in the middle of the fairway of hole 1. If anyone hears about who might be responsible for this please contact me. That tree was the main obstacle on that hole. It is unfortunate and something will eventually have to be done. Either relocation of the pin or the planting of a new tree.

That's freaking disgusting Joey. I doubt we'll find out who did it outside of Waco, though. There are a lot of casual golfers there that don't seem to have much respect for the game, the course or any desire to participate in competitive disc golf. Not to imply that they're all like that, but they are there, I've met 'em. You local guys may stand a chance at discovering the culprit among that group, though.

I can't imagine a tournament golfer doing something like that.

A severe asskicking is in order for this affront. That tree was what offered a good challenge on a good birdie hole.

Disgusting.

PLant a new tree, start taking donations, you can count me in for $5.00.

[sciencet_cher]

I like Jerry's idea. Count me in for 5.

[gnduke]

I must admint that I have tried to cut down that same tree many times, my drivers just kept bouncing off.

[harry]

That's about as sorry as stealing a basket!

[dannyreeves]

I am in for $5

The more money we can raise the bigger the tree can be /msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif you discgolfers are showing great support.

I do appreciate all the support. I will have to check with the city on the planting of another tree. The side of that hill is gonna be tough to get one to establish itself on. I will keep everyone informed. It is a dark day for Waco discgolf.

thats WHACKO DiscGolf......

/msgboard/images/clipart/proud.gif

Not to be argumentative, my MM2 friend, but this is much worse than stealing a basket. On many levels, the least of which is the act itself. As I recently heard Rappin' remark about the Riverside course after the hurricane hit Victoria hard and uprooted many of the beautiful old trees in that historic park, baskets and signs are much easier to replace than living trees.

Drawing and quartering may be a bit extreme for this ********, but anything less would be appropriate.

I have seen this phenomenon rear its ugly head several times out at Z-Boaz. One day an obsticle the next kindeling. I don't know what to do about the destruction I find on the course, but I do know what to do w/ the next person I see doing the destruction...hope they are not too big

ce

[ck34]

We are looking to cement steel poles where trees have been cut down by vandals since it's likely any new tree will suffer the same fate as the original. If this becomes a regular practice when ever a tree gets destroyed, the vandals might eventually get the message.

Not to poo-poo your idea for a way to reduce this problem Chuck, all suggestions are good ones in a sense, but do we really want to see more concrete and steel in the natural settings of our favorite game? I'm afraid this is a quicker way to have me choose another place to play than even a missing integral tree. Just a thought, sorry.

Replant, imho. I'm in for a few bucks for the purchase of a new tree for hole #1 too, Joey.

[harry]

I'm in for a few bucks for a new tree!

[gnduke]

Count me in for $20

[ck34]

Good luck but expect the worst. That was not a random tree, it was targeted for its location on the hole. A green or brown steel pole in its place will do what it's supposed to. If you see the beat up key trees gnarly from disc whacking that are in fairways everywhere, I'm not sure aesthetics is the primary reason for key trees on holes.

Joey you know I am down for helping with replacing the tree. I would like to start a rumor that it was a Baylor basketball player. I know it's a longshot but so is Quincy Carter.

[disctance00]

I'm in for $10.00 Joey really sad somebody actually commited Arborcide on Cameron. That tree has never let me by without at least making me cringe. Are you going to get some kind of fund started where people can send donations? My Condolences to Cameron and the sport of discgolf.

[disctance00]

By the way whoever did this to the tree, I promise you will not play Discgolf again if I find out who you are!!!! P_ssy!!!

[thcplz]

i'm in for $5.
can we give ours(austin) to atwood?

mark, are you going to have a collection jar for us??

[lauranovice]

I agree completely. This is far worse than stealing a basket. The old trees are part of what makes Cameron park so beautiful. It is a shame to hear any of them missing, especially to the hands of a human. Don and I will donate also. There has to be a way of building a retaining wall of some sort until the tree takes on good deep roots. Place a large pole deep into the ground to tie the tree to until it is sturdy enough to withstand our "driving torture". As much as has been pledged within the first 24 hours, a fairly sizeable tree should be affordable. If the person is found, part of their punishment should be a fine equal to the cost of the tree and community service of assisting in cultivating the tree to maturity. Let us know where to send the money and when we can help with the planting/building. I would bet a tournament benefiting the tree could raise enough funds.

There are going to be MANY difficulties trying to get a new tree into the old location. First of course, you have the matter of erosion which is constantly occuring on that hillside in general (Do you think Hole 3's basket is that short on purpose?) Maybe it is...... Anyway..... Let's say you do get a tree to start by building a retention wall of some sorts...... Now if you remember the old tree had NO branches at throwing level, I am to assume that either the tree was old enough to have no branches at that level, or (more likely) the tree was already well established and that over time the branches where just whacked off. We're asking a lot of a newly planted tree to withstand that kind of abuse.

Making the Crime that much more heinous.

True, Jim. Chuck's steel pole in concrete idea, as unasthetically pleasing as it may be, would seem to be a lot more feasible.

However, I'd still like to see the replant idea tried with as large a tree as we can get, retaining wall and a pole to tether it to as it roots in.

Joey, have you had the chance to talk to your contacts at the city to tell them of this and ask what can be done?

I'm with you there Mark, just pointing out the problems we'll have to face. Maybe the T-box could be moved at the beginning stages to allow the tree to establish itself before the onslaught.

Put me down for $10 while your at it Joey.

But while we're playing with ideas...... What if the pole was like a mural or something........ The names of past and future Waco champs could be engraved....... If we thought of it as a monument instead of a "pole"............ Hmmmmmmmm...........

[rhett]

Maybe put the steel pole(s) up in front of the newly planted tree to protect it and put the obstacle back, with the intention of removing the poles after the new tree is well established? You could put two poles up and run some mesh screen between them to act a tree guard/hole guard. It wouldn't exactly be pretty, but it would protect the tree and keep replace the challenge to the hole.

[james_mccaine]

That's a good idea Jim, but I'd pick up alot of bad Karma after smacking the past champions on my way up the hill.

[gordonmk]

What an incredible shame!

Count me in for $5.

(but James, haven't you always wanted to whack a few of those guys?)

[spartan]

Mark, you gonna have a donation jar out on Friday/Saturday this weekend at OUTLAWS!!..?

Sorry to hear about that Joey. That really changes the hole for the worst. Is there anyway to move the tee box further back to create less of a straight shot at it? Or would that put people in danger of the flying putters on #3?

disc karma will find these people. Was the tree broken down or sawed off? Sounds like some really premeditated actions. /msgboard/images/clipart/sad.gif

Thanks to everyone for the donation offers. I don't think they will be needed, but are appreciated very much. I talked to the tree guy at the City and when he has the time he will meet with me about what can be done. The City is always happy to help with just about anything we propose. In the past when they have needed to plant new trees on the back nine at Cameron, they have called me to come over and help in the placement. Something will be done it just won't be the same.

[disctance00]

Joey you are real asset to the sport!!!!!!

Thanks for all you do Mr. Harrell.

Joey, just in case, you might want to start a list of all the people who said they would donate. If it comes to that, count me in. If a tree can't be planted, maybe the city would go for putting a light post there. Probably wouldn't hurt to have a little bit of light in park at night anyway. Maybe something that looks like an antique lamp light instead of an ugly galvanized pole.

[disctance00]

very good idea!

[spartan]

lights might not be the best idea.

*thinking of the scene in The Natural with sparks flying and Wonder Disc stuck in a light fixture*

/msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif

[gnduke]

The way that hole plays, a regular height light pole should not be in danger of being hit. The light would be protected from the Tee by other tree branches, and it would make more sense to be on the side of the pole away from the Tee anyway. Sounds like a good idea, but would they put a lamp in the middle of the hill where the tree used to be ?