HollyWoods Amatuer Open Sept 29th

[Mark_Stephens]

This is the first PDGA tournament at HollyWoods and also the first PDGA tournament by our club. Those that have played HollyWoods have had some nice things to say about this new course. Player packs for the first 40 players to register.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/markthehammer/HollyWoodsAmateurOpen_Color-1.jpg

[bruce_brakel]

The course has been getting better recently. Several of the pinball holes have been opened up a little so that there are actual fairways. There are only three holes remaining that need a little more fairway to have a fair way.

Also, the funky chains on basket ten have been fixed. I kept saying, "Next time lets bring pliers and fix that." Finally they reminded me to bring pliers.

This is a fun and challenging course. With the course modifications I'd even have to say it is lefty-righty balanced. There are five or six holes where I look at the lefty shot. Diana likes the course and she's a lefty.

Unfortunately I have to be in Peoria that weekend.

[Mark_Stephens]

Thanks for fixing the baskets Bruce. When we were at League there last week I had noticed that I did not need my pliers that I also finally remembered to bring along. LOL

Yes, we have been working with the State Parks on clearing some of the holes to make them a bit more playable. I agree there are a few more on the Back 9 holes. They have been GREAT to work with so I am excited about the future of this course and hopefully other courses in Michigan State Parks as a whole.

[bruce_brakel]

Basket 12 or 13 has funky chains too, but it is because two of the hangers are bent. Don't try to fix that by pounding the hangers down with a hammer because that could break the welds. I have some breakable links kicking around somewhere. Adding a breakable link or two to the affected chains will make those chains hang right.

[davidbihl]

Thanks for fixing the baskets Bruce. When we were at League there last week I had noticed that I did not need my pliers that I also finally remembered to bring along. LOL

Yes, we have been working with the State Parks on clearing some of the holes to make them a bit more playable. I agree there are a few more on the Back 9 holes. They have been GREAT to work with so I am excited about the future of this course and hopefully other courses in Michigan State Parks as a whole.



Are there any firm plans to put a new course in any state parks? I would love it as I live right on pontiac lake state without a course. And is there any thing I can do to icrease the odds of a course being installed. Let me know. I would love to help in any way possible.
thanks
dav

[lacey17429]

{This is a fun and challenging course. With the course modifications I'd even have to say it is lefty-righty balanced. There are five or six holes where I look at the lefty shot. Diana likes the course and she's a lefty. }


hmmmm....I am a lefty, and have played the course several times. Other than Rolling Hills, I have never played a course that was so lefty friendly as Hollywoods. Almost every hole benefits a lefty in my opinion, and I usually think courses are mostly righty friendly. Did the course change SEVERELY in the last couple of weeks?

[bruce_brakel]

Here is what we all can do to increase the odds:

Every time you drive by a state rec area and have five minutes to waste, drive up to the gate booth where they check for your sticker and ask if they have a disc golf course. The state rec areas are so understaffed these days, half of the time it is the boss of the park operating the gate booth. When they say they don't ask them what parks around here do. Get it in their head that you are going to some other park. But be nice about it. They need to know that there is a demand for disc golf.

Second thing, Island Lake State Recreation Area was thinking about putting in a course. They had me out to walk around and make some recommendations from some proposed course locations. Then they backed off from the idea but really didn't say why. Someone who lives somewhere near there might be successful in getting that moving again.

[bruce_brakel]

This is a fun and challenging course. With the course modifications I'd even have to say it is lefty-righty balanced. There are five or six holes where I look at the lefty shot. Diana likes the course and she's a lefty.




hmmmm....I am a lefty, and have played the course several times. Other than Rolling Hills, I have never played a course that was so lefty friendly as Hollywoods. Almost every hole benefits a lefty in my opinion, and I usually think courses are mostly righty friendly. Did the course change SEVERELY in the last couple of weeks?

It has changed a lot in the last few weeks. Mostly they opened up some lefty routes. Hole 6 is wide open for a lefty hyzer now. Another hole later on now has a really nice lefty anhyzer route that was blocked before by a leaning tree. Hole 18 has a better fairway. I parred that with a lefty drive last time I played it.

A lot of holes have two routes, so you might not be noticing that some of the lefty holes also have a righty route, like hole ten. A lot of the holes also are straight shots that don't favor a righty or a lefty. It is really turning into a pretty good course.

[Mark_Stephens]

Are there any firm plans to put a new course in any state parks? I would love it as I live right on pontiac lake state without a course. And is there any thing I can do to icrease the odds of a course being installed. Let me know. I would love to help in any way possible.
thanks
dav



I would recommend that you talk to the Park Manager at that State Park. Tell them about the Disc Golf course at Holly Recreation Area and then maybe they will give that Shawn Speaker the Park Manager there a call. Shawn has been pleased with the level of play in the park already.

When they had the grand opening of HollyWoods the Regional Magager said that Disc Golf is something that they are taking a close look at for bringing people back into the parks.

[Mark_Stephens]

hmmmm....I am a lefty, and have played the course several times. Other than Rolling Hills, I have never played a course that was so lefty friendly as Hollywoods. Almost every hole benefits a lefty in my opinion, and I usually think courses are mostly righty friendly. Did the course change SEVERELY in the last couple of weeks?



SEVERLY? No. However, the Parks put in a huge effort to get the course ready to for play in the early summer. Doing so they got a little behind on other projects. Now that the summer push is over, they are getting back to doing some tree trimming/removal that they had been talking about. The changes made so far have made some holes more playable and I think a good idea.

[davidbihl]

I think I will be going to Pontiac Lake state park and doing just that. I would love to see a course there. Not to mention they have a great beach to cool off at and you can put your boat or jet ski's in there. There is a lot of nice " shots" I have visualized at that park!!!
thanks guys, for now it to Beaumont I go
I am going to practice at hollywoods more. The more lefty shots the harder for a righty, therefore = better player!!!!

[bruce_brakel]

I practiced at Hollywoods for Brown Deer at Worlds. I had a good-for-me kind of round at Brown Deer. You can practice a lot of shots at Hollywoods.

Given the kinds of course we played most of the time at Worlds, I should have spent more time practicing lame courses like Firefighters.

[jmo]

Given the kinds of course we played most of the time at Worlds, I should have spent more time practicing lame courses like Firefighters.


Amen Bruce maybe even Brighton HS? Imagine how much that sucked being a power thrower :confused:

[DSproAVIAR]

Is there a reason this is Am only?

[abee1010]

They are racist against pros...

[Mark_Stephens]

LOL LOL

It is because I, the TD, don't believe in running small time Open tournaments. I believe that if a tournament is going to offer an Open Division they NEED to have added cash (men and women), multiple sponsors, etc. I don't like to see 5 Open players playing for thier entry fees only. To me, if you are going to offer Open do it well...

There are tournaments in the state aimed only at upper level of play in Michigan (the DITCH for example) so, this tournament is aimed to cater to the lower divisions of Advanced to Beginner only.

It is nothing against the Open players, as all players strive to acheive that level of play but, this is just a tournament to let the Amatuers of the area grow and shine.

With that being said, I hope that you guys do come out and check out the course some time. :)

[abee1010]

AMEN brother, keep preaching. I am glad you got the joke!!!

[DSproAVIAR]

I understand. Any C-tier means no added cash to pros. We are used to it when we go to a C-tier.

[z Vaughn z]

LOL LOL

It is because I, the TD, don't believe in running small time Open tournaments. I believe that if a tournament is going to offer an Open Division they NEED to have added cash (men and women), multiple sponsors, etc. I don't like to see 5 Open players playing for thier entry fees only. To me, if you are going to offer Open do it well...

There are tournaments in the state aimed only at upper level of play in Michigan (the DITCH for example) so, this tournament is aimed to cater to the lower divisions of Advanced to Beginner only.

It is nothing against the Open players, as all players strive to acheive that level of play but, this is just a tournament to let the Amatuers of the area grow and shine.

With that being said, I hope that you guys do come out and check out the course some time. :)



Nearly every tournament is catered toward Ams.....

[Mark_Stephens]

Well, it was asked why and that is our rationale. Our club is not at the level to offer an Open Division as it should be offered at a tournament in our eyes. So, this year it is for AMs only...

[scottcwhite]

Local 101 did amateur only at our first tournament (Loco at the Mills 2006), but it was unsanctioned so pros did show up, they just played advanced! You shouldn't have any problems like that though since it is sanctioned. Good Luck!

[DSproAVIAR]

Nearly every tournament is catered toward Ams.....



What's the benefit for a TD to cater towards Pros? Nothing.

[bruce_brakel]

The post icon says everything I meant to say.

[z Vaughn z]

Nearly every tournament is catered toward Ams.....



What's the benefit for a TD to cater towards Pros? Nothing.



I'm just whining.

[janttila]

Nearly every tournament is catered toward Ams.....



What's the benefit for a TD to cater towards Pros? Nothing.



I'm just whining.



Whine on Mr. Vaughn, Whine on!!!
Oh, when you gonna be in the area next? Maybe Byron Big D?

[Mark_Stephens]

Speaking of Byron Big D if you are planning on entering Bruce Brakel's tournament, a friend of the Flint Town Flyerz, then make sure that you pre-reg with him. It has begun to fill up quick already... :)

[Mark_Stephens]

In case you have not been here before, there is not many lunch options near the course. However, there should be a hot dog vendor on site to sell lunch to players.

[bruce_brakel]

If there are any women rated less than 800 who would like to play this tournament for free, the Waterford Junior Girls' Club would like to sponsor your entry fee. The only catch is that you have to sign up for the Mens' Recreational Division. If you are already pre-paid for Women's Intermediate or Women's Rec, just tell Mark you are changing divisions and you'll get your entry fee refunded.

[Mark_Stephens]

Nobody has registered as of yet Bruce so, changing will not be of an issue. Is that something that you want me to tell any women that show up on the 29th?

[bruce_brakel]

Absolutely, and let Cannessa know and the other women who play your league. We'll sponsor at least eight women if they will play in the Men's Rec division. I started a thread in the Womens' area above. And I'll make some special trophy discs for them.

[Mark_Stephens]

I was thinking that up to 3 women from our club might be there that I know of. I will let them know...

[savard1120]

are there pics up anywhere for this course?

[Mark_Stephens]

There are a few here...

http://www.discgolfmichigan.com/courses.htt?select_course=1&pkeyCourseID=9

The front 9 is much more open and easy than the back 9. The back 9 is cut through the woods for the most part while the front is mostly open meadow using trees to guard the baskets.

[Roosta]

mark, can we tap the kegs at reg? i play much better when im superchaged by arcadia hops.

[phluffhead]

Wow I played this course while on vacation. The front nine was great. It made no miss Michigan golf. However when I got to hole nine (either one) it became wtf golf. I could see what they were trying to do but on several holes you had to throw a forehand roller. Then still have no shot. I really liked the property and played the front three times. Hope the back turns out like the front once it's done but for right now there's too much luck involved. I will no longer call Richmond Hill in Asheville the luckiest course around.
Also wish these course were here when I lived in Grand Blanc and didn't have to drive to Kens and Mills everyday so keep put them in.

[phluffhead]

are there pics up anywhere for this course?


I took some pictures while playing I'll post them later.

[Mark_Stephens]

LOL, that would be a no Rooster.

Yes, on the back back 9 there are two "rough & tough" holes, #9 & #13. Get a par you probably have picked up a stroke on the field. I have seen people shot par on them so it is not impossible by any means.

All of the rest can be and have been easily parred or birdied.

It is a new course and I am certain that they will be improved upon. The State Parks have be G-R-E-A-T to work with on this course. :)

[bruce_brakel]

Wow I played this course while on vacation. The front nine was great. It made no miss Michigan golf. However when I got to hole nine (either one) it became wtf golf. I could see what they were trying to do but on several holes you had to throw a forehand roller. Then still have no shot. I really liked the property and played the front three times. Hope the back turns out like the front once it's done but for right now there's too much luck involved. I will no longer call Richmond Hill in Asheville the luckiest course around.

The back nine was not close to being done when you played it. The back nine still is not done. I'm not sure whether it is going to get done over the winter when there is more time for the park's limited staff to work on it, or whether casuals will have to finish it. This course will mature in the same manner as the wooded holes at Cass Benton and Goldenrod. I played Goldenrod recently after having not played it since it was fairly new. It now plays like disc golf on 16 of the holes. Holly now plays like disc golf on 14 or 15 holes.

Even though three or four of the holes need a lot more work, everyone plays the same holes at a tournament. It's not like you are the only player standing on 9 tee wondering wtf while everyone else gets to play 10 twice and skips 9.

[phluffhead]

I played the course last Friday. Believe me I loved the front nine and was calling friends during the round bragging about it because I played Goldenrod last year when I was in town and didn't thing much of it. But some holes on the back there was no way to get to the basket and didn't understand the flight pattern required. I threw several shots with either hand and still didn't see it. But in time it will probably be as good as the front. I liked the idea of the two extra holes and choice to play the front several times because it was seasoned more.
Bruce yes everyone plays the same hole but they don't get the same kicks off the trees because on hole 9 theres no lane even from 60 out. I'm not trying to knock on the course especially now that i know it's not finished. Thanks for all the hard work and keep it up. Would play that course over goldenrod any day. Good Luck with Tourney

[Mark_Stephens]

As I said, I think that there are only 2 holes that are going to be really taxing on the players. #9 & #13. To win, they are going to have to manage them...

I feel you pain, I lost a brand new disc out there on Sunday on #9. It kicked 90 degrees to the right and landed somewhere in the next county. LOL

Once the tournament is done, since the disc golf season & the park season, are winding down the Flint Town Flyerz are going to meet with the Park to talk about the 2007 and what we can do to in 2008.

[bruce_brakel]

16 is still a [censored]. Don't forget 16.

13 is pretty easy. Pitch a lefty hyzer into the woods. Throw a righty chicken wing or righty forehand from where ever it lands. Go see if you are anywhere near the basket for a three, or if you need to pitch up for a four. If you don't have counter-clockwise spin shots in your arsenal, well, get a birdie on the next hole.

Nine on the other hand is crazy. I got a 3 on that last week. I got a 5 on that last week. Both times i played the hole just fine. If you throw with some righty hyzer angle down the "fairway" you are less likely to kick into the swamp.

[Mark_Stephens]

Who designed these crazy holes anyhow???? LOL LOL

[phluffhead]

13 I played the Lefty Spike Hyzer route (not sure If eyes were closed) and made it to a path on right. Likely I had a 70 foot jump putt from there and easy three. I was thinking that this hole would kill righties but if I played THeir fairway it doesn't matter what hand you throw with.
Don't really remember 16 and didn't have notes on that one. I think by then I was frustrated and ready to play the front again.

Also liked that there was no litter or beer cans anywhere including the trash cans.

[phluffhead]

I think the best picture I took out there is the garbage can on 14 and it's message. Still shot an ok 48 with two bogies and one was on the lefty #4

[Mark_Stephens]

The park has done a lot to keep the litter down as I have not seen a problem yet this year. I went out there on Sunday to pick up some trash before Saturday and found none.

[savard1120]

also does anyone have the length on the holes? Appreciate the help!!!

[Mark_Stephens]

1 335
2 317
3 302
4 196
5 275
6 315
7 261
8 288
9 282
10 239
11 177
12 210
13 308
14 186
15 206
16 348
17 204
18 344

4,793

[bruce_brakel]

The Flint Town Flyerz are hosting a tournament at Holly State Park this weekend. If you are a woman who cannot go to Peoria and you are rated less than 800 or around 800, the Waterford Junior Girls' Club would like you to play this tournament as their guest. That means "for free."

Naturally there's a catch: you have to play in the Men's Rec division. That's where Kira will be playing and she'd like some company.

But there's another catch: I'll make some nice dyed 150 champion and Z discs for the women and girls playing in the Men's Rec division. I've got seven total 150 Valkyries, Storms, Stingrays, and TBirds. If you've seen what I'm doing recently, on these I'm doing a Bear, two Yodas and 4 Eagles. I wanted to do some Tiggers, but I don't have the Tigger stickers ready to go yet.

We are sponsoring eight women and Kira has already grabbed the first one by fudging about her rating a little. If you want to take advantage of this, just show up on Saturday.

Holly State Park is pretty easy to get to. From the Detroit area go north on I-75 to Grange Hall Road. Take that east, which is a right turn off the ramp. A little after you cross Dixie Highway, Grange Hall makes a left turn but you have to keep going straight to go into the park. When you come to the end of the pavement turn right and then ask the ranger at the booth how to get to the disc golf course.

From Lansing you could take I-96 east to US 23 North to Silver Lake Road. Take Silver Lake Road east and it turns into Grange Hall Road and you follow the directions above.

[cyferban]

What is the motivation behind this offer? Are you tring to delete the potetial of the womens divisions? My wife will be out of town this weekend, but why should you subvert the flinttown flyers offer of divisions of AM1,AM2 & AM3 womens divisions?

[Mark_Stephens]

I will say this from the TDs side, becuase of this, I know for a fact that women in my club that were not going to be playing in the tournament WILL now be playing in the tournament. Albeit, it is in the Men's Recreational division. Would I like it better if they were playing in the Women's division? Of course I would. However, to me the most important thing is that they are playing and getting to experience what a PDGA tournament is like.

I also know that some people will still be playing in the Women's division because that is the one that they wanted to play in.

[bruce_brakel]

What is the motivation behind this offer? Are you tring to delete the potetial of the womens divisions? My wife will be out of town this weekend, but why should you subvert the flinttown flyers offer of divisions of AM1,AM2 & AM3 womens divisions?

What nefarious scheme are they up to now? :D It's a long story.

[bruce_brakel]

The tournament was fun and reasonably well run for a newish TD. The "men's" rec division was huge, about 27 players, and Kira came in sixth with some fine shooting. Kira, Sheila Calhoun and a woman who will have to forgive me for not remembering her name all finished in the prizes in Men's Rec.

When I hobbled downstairs for breakfast this morning my knees and ankles were saying, "Play am master." But after a few warm up holes I was having second thoughts. I went with the recommendation of the knees and ankles and played pretty o.k.

[terrycalhoun]

[You know, sometimes I think people should thank a3disc for being a PDGA affiliate and thus opening this space up for essentially Michigan-wide disc golf interaction!]

Bruce is being modest. He kicked *** (Gee, I hope using asterisks instead of letters doesn't get me suspended just 'cause I "might have" written something bad with three letters instead.) by some order of magnitude in Am Masters. He would have been second in Am-1 (Advanced), where I tied for 5th - last "cash."

The women playing in Am-3 (recreational) turned out to be a great idea.

This is a fun course and only about an hour from Ann Arbor up 23, easy to get to from the Detroit area up 75. If you go, be sure to mention to any official parks people you see about how it is disc golf you are there for.

Also, the BP gas station near the entrance has kick-*** (There I go again.) food, especially the "wraps," and they're probably getting some discs in for retail sales soon.

Mark Stephens and his crew (w/help from John Minuccuci) did a good job on their first sanctioned tournament, and will do even better next time!

[tacimala]

Who were the top finishers?

[Mark_Stephens]

48 players for the first tournament at a new course!!! WOW! I was pleasantly surprised!

I will just tell the winners quickly after a LONG day for this first time PDGA TD. I think that things went relatively smoothly. A few things I would change but, overall I was happy.

Masters: Bruce Brakel
Advanced: Josh Shulte
Intermediate: Gerlad Haidys
Recreational: Daniel Harrison
Women's Recreational: Cannessa Andrews.

Yes, 3 women cashed in the 26 deep Men's Recreational division: Kira Brakel, Shiela Calhoun, & Krista Kuchek. Krista hit an ace but, sadly for her and gladly for everyone else she was not in the Ace Pool.

Thanks to John Minicuci and Terry Calhoun for the help with the scorecards. Thanks to Bruce for some advice on things to do a little differently next time around. Thanks to all the players that came out and supported disc golf in Michigan State parks as well as supported the Flint Town Flyerz. I heard that lots of people had a good time and we will work on to improve on what we have going in 08'. We have 3 sanctioned events that we are planning on running...

[bruce_brakel]

Post when scores are up. Kira and I both want to see how those rounds rate.

[z Vaughn z]

[You know, sometimes I think people should thank a3disc for being a PDGA affiliate and thus opening this space up for essentially Michigan-wide disc golf interaction!]




..........................

[Mark_Stephens]

I do thank A3 for the use of their affiliate page! Other groups in Michigan have their own (we will in a week or so) but, this one is where EVERYONE comes to look and discuss! ;)

The results are posted:

The Fenton Vision Center Presents The HollyWoods Amateur Open (http://www.pdga.com/tournament/tournament_results.php?TournID=6993)

EDIT: If someone "accidently borrowed" MY copy of the Disc Golf Michigan book, I sure would like it back. I had it 1 day...

[cyferban]

Hey Mark Stephens you have recorded my PDGA number incorrectly. It is 27948, please can you correct this. i would like to get my points when they are calculated. Oh plus it will save your club $5 as the incorrect person is not current.

Thanks Mark
William Gilbert

[Mark_Stephens]

Yep, I am on it. Thanks for noticing... :)

[Mark_Stephens]

A small little article about the tournament...

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsi...95205&rfi=6 (http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18902478&BRD=2524&PAG=461&dept_id= 495205&rfi=6)

[janttila]

That is great that you gents got some local news coverage. Congratulations!!! :cool:

[Mark_Stephens]

Thanks!

Actually we had 2 for it. We had one about 1 week before the tournament and the now one after.