I just want to help get the word out that the new course in San Jose is a fun test of skills. The established course, Hellyer, is fun and challenging but the new course, La Raza, just down the road takes the challenge to a whole new level. Former PDGA commisioner Jim Challas designed the course with the help of other local golfers and created a course that to me is similar to Robert Trent Jones Jr's philosophy of "hard par, easy bogey." Play that is too agressive or careless will be penalized while well placed shots will be rewarded. Some holes a 4 is a great score! It is a perfect compliment to the original course which has lots of birdie opps.
As I understand it, the course is on county land that is leased on a temp basis for monthly tournaments ( I strongly recomend you come, they do a great job) but there will be an opportunity to go to public hearings and voice our desire to make it permanent. When that happens I encourage all those who are able to come and be heard so that San Jose can have some more world class disc golf.

Jon B. #18114

Course opens tomorrow!
:D
Check it out:
http://svdgc.org/default.shtml

http://svdgc.org/maps/laraza.shtml

Everything Jon said is true.

-JPB

Ooooooops!
I guess I spoke too soon.
It turns out it won't be opening to the public until probably next weekend.
Something about mitigating some things done by the overzealous building crew that the Parks Dept. didn't like.

I was able to play it last night though and it was quite interesting.
I say this because alternate pin positions were installed that were shorter than the positions used in all the tournaments I've played there. These shorter positions are where the baskets are currently placed (The explanation was that they wanted them in visible positions for the opening for players unfamiliar with the course. I can understand that.) While it's still a wonderful course with the pins in these shorter alternate positions, it's not nearly as challenging as the traditional longer positions used in the past.

When they start mixing them up, it's going to be absolutely fantastic!

Stay tuned....

-JPB

I played it Friday at lunchtime -- did the overzealousness have something to do with the basket for 18?

Also - why is the Hellyer side 10 through 18 and then La Raza is also 10 through 18?

OK, I can answer my own question. Hellyer is 1-9 since the signs were redone.

I hear the course is ALL LONG as of today! Woohoo!

Matt:

Nice shootin' at the Master's Cup!
I hope to give you a run for it next year, but this time certainly didn't work out....

I think the overzealousness was more the trail between basket 1 (10) and tee 2 (11) and the extra tee dug out for 2 (11).

I think the club's not happy unless they change the hole numbers at least once (just kidding).
It's actually a really long story that has to do with the way the original course was initially proposed and developed. The current configuration of holes is quite different from what was initially drawn up. The change of hole numbers at Hellyer (and La Raza) is, of course, part of that whole scene. It's also why Hellyer's hole 1 (was 10) is across the course from where you park. It was orginally going to be the back 9, accessed by crossing the creek from La Raza (which, btw, is NOT ALLOWED. If you ever see anyone trying to cross the creek between the two sets of nine holes, stop them immediately. The Parks Dept. is quite clear that they will make us pull the course if that starts happening.), then became the front 9.
There's more to it, but like I said... long story.

At any rate, the mitigation efforts are still being made and the La Raza course is still not yet "officially" open.

I'll post back here when it is.

-JPB

Are you coming up to KOA? That's going to be a blast (as usual). Then it'll be off to worlds. Woop!

Nice shootin' at Santa Cruz, Matt!!! You definitely should be on the short list of those to watch in Milwaukee (amongst us youngish geezers, at least).

The TdR 2007 is coming together. We'll be raising funds for EDGE as we drive cross-country to Worlds. I'll have CFR discs soon commemorating the trip...

Hopefully you and I will have a few Norcal/Socal pairings in Beertown!!

I'm going to talk to my wife tonight about maybe carpooling up to KOA w/Mike Miller.

Hope to make it up there, but we'll see.

I've been told by several people that I would like it. If I don't see you there, good luck, and good luck at the Worlds!

-JPB

Fundraiser discs sound very cool! Maybe some Ontario Rocs? :D

That's what I'm thinkin' !

CE Rocs?
I'd buy one of those.

We're still working out the issues with the Parks Dept., so La Raza isn't "officially" open to the public yet.

Matt:
See you at KOA!

Cheers,
-JPB

The Ontarios would be DX, but we will also have some Glo-Champion discs, probably either Sidewinders or TLs (still decidin').

FWIW, since you're still decidin', I'd like to put in a bid for Sidewinders.
A glow Sidewinder would almost complete my set of glow discs.

See ya,
-JPB

Looks like Magilla is getting some Ontario Rocs for KOA.

Looks like Magilla <font color="red"> HAS </font> some Ontario Rocs for KOA.



:D

ooh! ooh!

Please set one aside for me.

Are they all black?

(thread drift is fun)

ooh! ooh!

Please set one aside for me.

<font color="red"> Thats a 1 in 6 chance... ;) </font>

Are they all black?

<font color="red">There are 4 only...they cost $$ as Fundraisers </font>

(thread drift is fun)
<font color="red">DOH! :o </font>

Yeah, about that thread drift....

La Raza mitigation efforts are still in process.

Looks like it won't be open until sometime in June.

-JPB

Well, if it makes the parks dept feel any better -- there is still PLENTY of poison oak left out there.

I lost a Starfire in the rough on the right side of 16 down near the basket today at lunch.

What is the course record for the long positions? I noticed 16 and 18 were set shorter today.

I don't know what the course record is.
Bill probably knows.

Warning: Another thread drift:
I see you're signed up for the A pool at KOA (thanks). Going pro?

-JPB

I actually signed up as Am Masters for KOA -- but then noticed my player rating was about 30 points higher than the next highest rated player. (ahem). And thought it would be in my best interest to play the pros. But I won't accept cash if I happen to finish near the top since I'm still going to Am Worlds. My goal is to finish top 3 in pro masters. We'll see. :)

Back on topic:

La Raza is now (officially) open!
:D
Please stay away from the creek.

Enjoy!
:cool:

-JPB

I'd just like to elaborate on that creek statement.

The Parks Dept. has told us, in no uncertain terms, that if they start to see people going into the bushes towards the creek, they'll make us put up a fence. This is the reason for the OB line running down pretty much the entire north side of the course. Please try your best to stay away from the bushes on the north side of the course. The OB will wreak havoc on your score anyway. :p

Thanks,
-JPB