For those who didn't play the Stoney Hill Challenge or haven't visited this summer, the basket on #18 is now perched on a hill overlooking the O.B. quarry, and our website now updated to show this, along with many more photos:
http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/Photos/Hole%2018%20Approach%20over%20Quarry%20(2).jpg

For those who don't know, Stoney Hill is a private course built by long-time disc golfers Chris and David Sauls on our 46+ acres of extremely hilly hand near Newberry / Prosperity, SC, somewhere between Columbia and Greenville. Our hope is to provide a course full of challenge and variety, geared for the average pro and top amateur players (ratings 950-1000). We do not, however, recommend it to beginners. We welcome disc golfers to come visit and give it a try; it is free to play but RESERVATIONS REQUIRED (see website for more details).

$50 BOUNTY FOR COURSE RECORD---If you can break 50 and set a new course record, you can win $50 or more! The record was set by a 15-year-old, so how hard can it be? The deal is you pay $2 per try and can try as many times as you wish; if after 5 holes you see you've blown your chance, you can pay another $2, start with a fresh score on hole 6, etc. First person to break 50 gets the pot, or a minimum of $50!

Course conditions for Summer 2007 are that, at any given time, some of the grass is freshly cut, some isn't. At this time none is at lose-your-disc height, but a few places are at forget-the-skip, no-roller height. If you get off the fairway, of course, the rough is as rough as ever.

David,

Did you and Chris ever crunch the numbers from your one-day tournament to determine what the "spread" was on each hole? I think it would be interesting to see those.

No, I foolishly threw away the scorecards and later thought about how much I'd like to have that information. All I was thinking at the tournament time was to see how smoothly the flow would go, and wondering what the top pros would shoot (I think 53 was the best round).

There are a few holes we're not sure whether to call par-4s or not (# 6 & # 17 in particular), and I wish I knew the averages and spreads from the Stoney Hill Challenge. We hope to hold a bigger event next year and I will kick myself if I don't remember.

The spread would be interesting to see on some of the "disaster" holes, like # 15 & # 18, where a 3 is possible but so is a 9 if you get careless. (The Challenge was the first day the basket on #18 was on the mound, but I've since found it's possible to blow a bunch of strokes there, especially when you're hot and tired at the end of a round). Not to mention how many birdies the birdieable holes actually produce.

I should say that the course is in pretty good condition, much better than previous summers or Chris's concerns that we'd be closed during the summer due to falling behind on maintenance. There are a few spots of tall grass but, by and large, the purchase of a extra mower and the drought have kept things under control. With summer passing and glorious fall approaching, we welcome any disc golfers who wish to come out during the best time of the year at Stoney Hill.

For those playing the S.C. Flying Disc Championships at Crooked Creek, feel free to come up to Stoney Hill after rounds Saturday or Sunday. It's about 30 minutes away. I'll be at Crooked Creek, and will have maps for the short route between the two courses.

With the arrival of fall and the effects of the drought, the course is now in great condition. The fairways are pretty much mowed and, if you get off the fairways, we've cleared briars and added search paths in the worst areas, and much of the underbrush died back with the drought, so lost discs are less an issue than ever before. In fact, I don't think we've lost a disc in several months, and have found a number of previously-lost discs as we've cleared more area.

So come on out and visit---mid-October through mid-November are the best times to be at Stoney Hill!

2008 Events

The Quarry at Stoney Hill

A non-sanctioned, one-day, Sunday tournament, planned for February 10. We think this will leave Saturday available for other ice bowls, practice rounds at Stoney Hill, or even non-disc-golf activities.

The Stoney Hill Challenge

Our first sanctioned event. Planned for early May. This will probably be a one-day, Saturday-only tournament, as we've received a lot of input favoring a 1-day event.

In both cases, these will be open to Pro, Advanced, and perhaps Intermediate divisions, and their Masters components, as the course is not suited for Rec or beginner players.

David:

I will be there in May for sure!!!
Any word on March Madness? Will you try to do another small event the Sunday after March Madness?

For those who have not played @ Stoney Hill, I strongly encourage you to check it out....Although w/ the new basket location on 18, I am not sure I will be able to finish the hole...

Steve

We sent in sanctioning for March Madness this week....it should appear on calendar soon. (I should know, but I'm pretty sure it's March 22). We haven't discussed the Sunday-After-March-Madness yet, but we'll see. If not, we can always play casual rounds.

(Just to be clear for anyone who doesn't know, March Madness is a unique match play tournament Chris & I run at Earlewood Park. Last year we had an informal doubles event on the day after, at Stoney Hill).

The #18 basket on the hill overlooking the quarry was placed there the day before the Stoney Hill Challenge, so those who were able to make it then, or who have played since, have seen it. You'll be able to finish the hole.....it's just a matter of how many strokes you'll take. (I think I have the record for 6-putting it).

I'll get more information on all of these events on the "tournament" section of the discussion board, as soon as possible.

The website (link in my signature) has been updated with dozens of new photos, to give a better idea of where how the course has evolved to this point. This includes updated photos of the now-hanging basket (hole 13) and the basket on the peninsula hole (hole 15) moved closer to the fork of two OB creeks, and simply better photos on some other holes.

2008 Events

The Quarry at Stoney Hill

A non-sanctioned, one-day, Sunday tournament, planned for February 10. We think this will leave Saturday available for other ice bowls, practice rounds at Stoney Hill, or even non-disc-golf activities.

The Stoney Hill Challenge

Our first sanctioned event. Planned for early May. This will probably be a one-day, Saturday-only tournament, as we've received a lot of input favoring a 1-day event.

In both cases, these will be open to Pro, Advanced, and perhaps Intermediate divisions, and their Masters components, as the course is not suited for Rec or beginner players.



Corrections---

The Quarry will be Sunday, February 17

The Stoney Hill Challenge currently scheduled for Saturday, April 12

Details to come

Work Day this Sunday 9am until 1. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Call Chris at 364-5282 or David 364-3999 if interested in lending a hand.

Thanks to Ed & Mike for helping out yesterday, and to everyone who's lent a hand the past 3 weekends----especially Travis & Coral, who've done a ton of work.

Players at The Quarry and Stoney Hill Challenge should see some softer rough, especially on holes 13, 15, & 17. (Anyone who hasn't been out since last June will find things a little more foregiving on many other holes, as well).

Congratulations to Coral for shooting a new course record of 52 yesterday. Most impressive aspect was that this was his 3rd round of the day---3 rounds up and down those hills!

Thanks to everyone who came out for The Quarry at Stoney Hill yesterday. You can check out the RESULTS (http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/Quarry.htm) here.

We handed out surveys and got them back from about half the participants. These were quite helpful and interesting, and will help us focus our efforts in improving the course. Among the information we can share:

We asked for your 3 favorite, and 3 least favorite, holes.
Most popular holes (in order)---#1, #12, #15, #6.
Hole with most opinions---#15 (4 "favorites", 2 "least favorites".
Least favorite hole---#14.
Only hole not making either category for anyone---#2.

Many of the opinions we received were helpful and, even where we disagree, were interesting. Based on this we're discussing putting up a barrier on the edge of the Quarry, so putts that roll off the hill are less likely to go OB.

By large majorities, the mound on #18 was judged "thrilling" over "gimmicky", and the hanging basket on #13 judged "exciting & cool" over "too close to the water".

The 2-meter rule was quite unpopular, so will no longer be in effect at Stoney Hill.

The Sunday option was more popular than the Saturday, for 1-day events, and for this reason, among others, we will be moving the Stoney Hill Challenge from Saturday to Sunday. 2-day events were favored, even with the shortage of lodging, and we will probaby do this in future years when the issues we're dealing with now are behind us.

re: Hole scoring averages

Last year James Stevenson inquired about this, but I had foolishly thrown away the scorecards. Learning from experience, I have so far calculated averages for the Open Pros, with the thought that establishing hole pars should be based heavily on how they shoot. The averages per hole were:

1 3.8
2 2.9
3 2.8
4 2.8
5 4.4
6 3.9
7 2.8
8 2.8
9 2.9
10 2.6
11 3.5
12 2.6
13 3.7
14 2.9
15 3.9
16 2.6
17 3.4
18 4.3

Only hole 4 was birdied more than half the time (9 out of 16). Every hole had pretty good score distribution, with no hole producing the same score 70% of the time, and no "donut holes" to speak of (such as, lots of 2s & 4s, but no 3s on an island hole).

Based on the averages and most-common scores, we probaby have 5 Par 4 holes: 5, 6, 13, 15, & 18. This would give us a "course par", as commonly used, of 59. (We may override these numbers on holes 6 or 13, based on our experience, and still designate them as Par-3s).

A few additional stats (to give an idea of the challenge level of the course)---

Open Pros averaged 58.6 per round.

A rough estimate of the SSA, based on the open Pros, calculated to be 53.6. Actual SSA would probably be 54-55. (We'll know better after the Stoney Hill challenge).

Factors affecting this included (1) no foliage at this time of year, which is a big deal on this course, and (2) considerable winds during round 2, a major factor on some of our holes.

The Stoney Hill Challenge has been moved from Saturday to Sunday, April 13.

Among other things, this will allow players who desire to practice the course on Saturday before the Sunday event. We may run doubles on that Saturday, as well.

Being April, this will be a fine time for anyone who wants to come up for the weekend and camp on the property.

Fascinating data, thanks David! Since I didn't get to fill out a sheet at the tourney, I'll give you my 2 cents as far as holes go:

Favorites holes: 13, 18, 1
Least favorite: 14 (by far!), 10, (no third choice!)

Comments: Some of us talked about some of the long transitions from holes 13 to 14 and 8 to 9. Also, I like 15, but I had an incredible drive on it and still was 75-100 feet from the basket, so it was an easy/lame par 3. I think maybe lengthening that hole somehow would be appropriate. Of course with a dam going in, it's probably moot. Looking forward to April 13. :)

David, what was the average rating of the players producing those scoring averages? Those distributions and averages need to be adjusted to either gold level (1000) or blue level (950) to do a proper analysis for the skill level that layout is designed for.

James, we were fascinated by the data as well.

Hole 14 is our least favorite too. It's not a bad hole, with the aspect that the closer you try to get to the basket, the closer the OB that you've got to clear, but it's certainly not exciting.

On 15, the trick is that your drive has to land in a sweet spot, or your upshot for the easy three gets dicey, with trees and OB all around, if you're not lined up on the opening. And like a lot of our holes, there's lots of trouble for bad shots. Be careless and watch the strokes pile up.

We have a tentative plan for both these holes. As part of the dam construction, we expect all the debris to be cleared on #15 so it's grass from the current teepad to the tree stand. Our thought is to then combine these holes into a par-5; drive from #14 tee, land in the flat area around the #14 basket, and fire a second shot from there. (Like everything else, we'll try it and, if it doesn't work, drop it. The freedom of a private course).

The long walks are an issue (15 to 16 is also a bit of a walk). We hope they're at least scenic---well, not in winter---and made up for by a couple of extremely short walks (2-3, 3-4, 12-13). The 8-to-9 walk may be eliminated with another of our tentative plans, which is to stretch #8 almost to the power lines for a par-4 or par-5. That's a major work project, of course.

We'll see what comes up when we get the pond built, and probable access to the 16 acres that is currently horse pasture.

Thanks for coming and for the comments.

Your opinions may be closer to ours than any others we received. Scary, huh?

David, what was the average rating of the players producing those scoring averages? Those distributions and averages need to be adjusted to either gold level (1000) or blue level (950) to do a proper analysis for the skill level that layout is designed for.



Perhaps I should have said "guesstimate". We're having our first sanctioned event in April, after which we'll get some accurate ratings. As you'll see, I didn't want to invest a lot of time in this, but was curious.

We're not really designing for "blue" or "gold" level, but perhaps somewhere in between. Our website says it's geared toward the "top advanced and average pro", whatever that may be. Beyond that, we're trying to make it interesting, exciting, and fun to ourselves---my brother and I live there and play it the most---and disc golfers better than us.

But as for the guesstimate SSA---we had 8 players in open pro, playing 2 rounds. (I haven't bothered tallying the other divisions). From memory, their average rating was 955, and the average score 98.1 (I think I've got it wrong in a comment above). 45 rating points below 1000, I used the figure of 10 rating ponts per stroke, come up with 4.5 strokes, subtracted it from the average score, and came up with 53.55.

I know the 10 rating points per stroke is just a ballpark figure, and 8 players is a very small sample. Just trying to get a rough idea so when I talk to people who've never visited, I can give them an idea how challenging the course is, or isn't. Until now, the course record was the only benchmark I could give anyone.

With the advent of Daylight Savings Time---which should be celebrated with a holiday of its own, in my opinion---the course can be played on weekdays after 6:00. Our schedules remain a little tight from March through May but, if you call us we'll see what days one or the other of us might be available.

We will be hosting the Stoney Hill Challenge (http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/challenge.htm) on Sunday, April 13---our first PDGA-sanctioned, SC points series event.

The course will be available Saturday for practice, and campers are welcome to set up on the property Saturday night.

That basket on high mound next to OB was quite an adventure during ferocious winds at the Stoney Hill Challenge this weekend!

well i actually played that hole well, it was others that i mangled up pretty good

SURVEY RESULTS

We handed out surveys at after the Stoney Hill Challenge. We thank 17 of you for taking the time to complete them and giving us some input beyond our own viewpoints. We asked everyone to list their 3 favorite holes and 3 least favorite (not necessarily bad, just least favorite, though some did not list 3, or any at all)---

Most popular holes were about the same as at The Quarry
Hole 1 (11 top-3s)
Hole 12 (9 top-3s)
Hole 15 (5 top-3s, but 2 bottom-3s).

Hole 18 was least popular, and also generated tied for most opinions (4 top-3s, 7 bottom-3s). The aforementioned winds, which made it unreasonable, may have cost it the election.

Hole 3, suprisingly, was second, with 1 top-3 but 4 bottom-3s.

Hole 6 was the only hole no one rated as either top-3 or botto-3. Only 3 holes didn't make anyone's top-3 list, and only 3 didn't make anyone's bottom-3 list. What varied tastes we all have!

Among other questions:

On hole 13, 11 thought the hanging basket was "cool & exciting", while 6 thought it was "too close to water". (Hey, it's only too close to the water if you miss your putt).

On hole 18, 9 thought it was "thrilling", 7 thought it was "gimmicky", 1 thought it was both (huh?). Again, the crazy winds probably affected this, as it was reviewed much more favorably after The Quarry.....but as mentioned above, we've got a plan.

For future tournaments, 11 preferred 2-days, 1 preferred 1 day; if a one-day tournament, vote was split with 5 preferring Saturday & 5 preferring Sunday.

We're contemplating 2 options in the future.....a Sunday-only, on the same weekend that Sayde's is on Saturday, so players will have options----play one, play both, practice Stoney Hill Saturday during or after Sayde's, camp out, don't, whatever. Or a 2-day, with as many who wish to camping out Saturday night.

....and these were the hole-by-hole score totals & averages for the Open Pros:
http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/hole-averages.jpg

And now that the tournaments are over for the year....the next month is prime time for anyone visiting for casual play. The course has been groomed for the aforementioned tournaments....the trees are leafing out so it's lusher, and a bit tighter....the grass hasn't yet grown to be the issue it may be in summer.....and you can get in a round in the evenings, with light lingering well after 8 p.m. And the winds are guaranteed to be less than they were at the Challenge.

......and now into the early summer growing season, when our ability to keep the grass cut---or frequently, to keep the equipment running so the grass can be cut---is surpassed by the surge of vegetation. It's not that the course is overgrown, but visitors can expect at any given time that some of the fairways will be mown.....some rather shaggy and unkempt, though not lose-your-disc height....and some, of course, wooded and unaffected. It remains playable, but not as well groomed as it was for the tournaments. All of which is offset by the now-well-leafed trees, tightening the fairways and enhancing the scenic value of the course.

David,

Wanted to thank you again for your hospitality. Good luck at Thorphy Lakes and with the rest of baseball season. It was great getting to meet you and cannot wait to play your course competitively.

People like the Sauls make the world a better place.

See you soon.

Tyson, Doug, Jason and Andy

Thanks, Tyson & gang. Glad the accommodations worked out for you.

Best wishes for your new (married) life.

David

The course is groomed and looking good. Come on out and make a run at the course record. $50 on 50.

As part of an effort to cut down on the number of easy holes, we are in the process of extending hole 7. Formerly a straight, slightly downhill, 186' toss through a tight gap, it has now been stretched to about 250' or more, down the same gap and further down hill, but turning left at the end. It will probably go another 30' or so down, perhaps S-turning back to the right a little, as worktime allows. You can still get your "2"---but must really earn it now.

With this change, the bounty has been changed to pay out for a score of 50, instead of breaking 50. Current bounty is about $80-$90. Shouldn't be too hard---in only the second round since the change, Coral shot a 51 and missed by 1 stroke (but, alas, had not paid his $2 for the run on the record).

The website has been updated to show new photos of the revised hole 7 (which turned out to be about 280'), along with a scattering of other new photos.

With the end of Daylight Savings Time, we're on a weekend-only basis from now until March. Best arrangement is to call us during the week to schedule to play on the weekend.

We will be having a workday at Stoney Hill on Sunday, November 16, at 1:00. It should be fine working weather---sunny, cool, dried out from this week's rains.

The main project will be extending hole #6 into a par-5.

We invite any local disc golfers to join us. You can also come up and play the course in the morning, break for lunch, and return to help work. Or.....no doubt by 4:00 we'll have done enough work, and be ready to play.

David:

Are you moving the basket or the tee?

Looking forward to getting up to play again soon. Probably not until March Madness.

Steve

Moving the basket. Still teeing off through archway.

Since you've been there, hole #6 has widened a bit. Part of the natural evolution as we play and see where problems are, and open things up a bit. (It's easy to remove a tree and hard to put it back, so most holes start out tight and gradually open up).

The original idea of hole 6 was as a par-5....but the original hole was a birdie hole. The basket has steadily moved back as we clear more area. It's currently in its 4th location, where we've been debating for some time which way to go with it. (Currently you drive about 250', dogleg right and go another 200'. I think the next turn is a dogleg left---Chris has started it last weekend but I was at the Upstate Classic and haven't seen it.)

The advantages of a private course. We can try a hole and see how it plays. Often we look at a tree and think it should come out, but leave it for the time being; sometimes we find that it didn't need to come out at all. A number of baskets have been moved, both lengthened and shortened, and I'm sure more will be as time goes on.

We look forward to seeing you after March Madness, or at the Stoney Hill Challenge (sometime in April)....or anytime you're passing through.

With several long workdays and a ton of help from Travis & Coral, hole #6 has now been transformed into our longest---about 640', still a par-4. We've widened the fairways, shaved the corners, and removed some trees, so now it goes about 250', slightly uphill, about 25' wide for the first 150' but into a much sider landing area; doglegs right for another 250',, about 40' wide and level; then doglegs left for another 150', slightly uphill again.

On a separate note, thanks to Ben Calhoun for visiting as he works on his second 1,000 courses, and a belated thanks to Greg Hosfield for visting on his way to 1,000....and for their kind words in their respective blogs. We're happy to have been a part of their remarkable accomplishments.

Doubles tournament 12-27-08. Non-Sanctioned.
More info at www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill (http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill)

Doubles tournament 12-27-08. Non-Sanctioned.
More info at www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill (http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill)



......and on the "tournaments" section of this discussion board.

A chance to check out the evolving course design, as we've recently not only seriously lengthened 2 holes, but also widened a couple of gaps to the greens (holes 10 & 17) or off the tee (2). Also probably one of the last chances to play holes 16 & 17, which will be completely changed with the pond construction, due to begin in the next month or so.

So long to "Little Brooksville" (hole 16).


http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/Photos/Hole%2016%20through%20window%20(2).jpg

COMING ATTRACTIONS

For 2009, our plans include---

STONEY HILL CHALLENGE
Sunday, April 19
This will be paired with Sayde's at Crooked Creek, which is on Saturday, offering disc golfers a chance to play 2 one-day events in the same weekend, or take your pick and just play one. Exact details should be out soon.

TEAM PLAY
We are working out a scheme for a team-play event, with rounds at both Crooked Creek and Stoney Hill, probably the 3rd week in June. We're still working on the name, the exact date, and the format.

COURSE CHANGES
Those who have not been to Stoney Hill since the last Stoney Hill Challenge will find
* About 400' added to course, with holes 4, 6, & 7 stretched and doglegged.
* Widened fairways and gaps, and softened rough on many of the holes.
* Carpet on all tees.
* A big surprise on the mound green on hole 18.
* With any luck, a pond and revised holes 16 & 17. (I know I've said that before, but the contract has been signed and we're just waiting for the contractor to begin).

The flyer for the Stoney Hill Challenge is now available at

http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/challenge.htm

Registration is open. Field limited to 72.

For general play, and practice for the Stoney Hill Challenge in particular----

With the long-awaited arrival of Daylight Savings Time tomorrow, the course will be available on weekdays after 6:00, as well as weekends (except when we're at other tournaments). Prior reservations are still required.

Play during the workday is by special arrangement only.

The long-promised pond construction is about to begin---at least, there is some huge earthmoving equipment on the property---and thus hole 16, and the tee for hole 17, have been removed. For the next few weeks, the course will be without these holes, or with temporary replacements. Casual players, or those practicing for the Stoney Hill Challenge, can walk from 15 to 18 (it's really not that far).....or check with us on where we stand with the replacement holes.

This also means that Hole 16---that easy, 230', straight, slightly downhill ace run---has passed into history without ever being aced. Not that we didn't try.

It's happening!

We now have a huge open valley (big arms, limber up!) with the future shoreline staked out---complete with peninsulas jutting out into the pond and a steep open hillside over the water on one side (think treacherous greens). The dam comes next (more tricky pin placements). We'll be spending lots of time in the next few weeks imagining water and dreaming up new holes.

The nasty debris piles that we throw over on hole 15 ("the peninsula") are also slated to be moved or removed---a side benefit to the pond construction.

Folks are welcome to come out to play the existing 16, take a look at the pond project, and offer any good ideas for future holes.

Pond construction has been completed. We're just waiting for the water.

We have two holes tentatively designed and playable, to replace the 2 lost holes. A little re-routing is involved, and we've still some teepad work to do, so those familiar with the course should check with us before playing (or practicing for the Stoney Hill Challenge).

My guess is that the course will play about 1 throw harder.

It's possible we'll add 2 more holes for the Challenge. It's certain that we'll add a bunch more holes after the Challenge.

and if you liked the course before, wait until you see what we have now.....we feel that we have added 2 great holes to replace 2 good ones.

For those who played around the mostly imaginary pond at the Stoney Hill Challenge.....

After a maddening period of almost no rain, the storms finally found us early yesterday morning. The pond is 80-90% full now, based on surface area, so we're getting a good idea of what it will look like. Which is "awesome".

Chris is already prowling around it, scoping out prospective new holes.

With the player ratings updated and the round ratings official, looks like our SSA under near-ideal conditions was about 55.

http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/Photos/Pond%20Hole.jpg

For everyone who hasn't been out since the Stoney Hill Challenge, the pond is complete and almost full. Here's a view of Hole 15 or 16, as seen from the tee.

We're in the process of changing holes and routing, trying to figure out how to best use the pond and extend the course to perhaps 24 holes. Anyone playing the in near future can expect a couple of different options on routes, and probably a longer-than-expected walk at the point of the course that we're still uncertain about.

The course gets a little ragged during the summer, has it's hard to keep it as well-groomed as it is for the Stoney Hill Challenge, but at this point it's not bad at all.

For those unfamiliar with it, or who wisely don't want to drag themselves through a couple years of the previous thread, Stoney Hill is a private course near Newberry, SC, owned by disc golfers Chris & David Sauls. It's a challenging course---SSA 55---geared for Pro & Advanced players.

wow... looks awesome with the pond full!!! can't wait to make it back out again!

Thanks to the weary group of Charlottans who dropped by last week. One of your discs has surfaced, and we still have hopes for the others. We hope you'll get another chance to visit, with more time and not as the 7th course of your long weekend.

Reminder to anyone playing the S.C. Flying Disc Championships in Chapin in September, feel free to come visit. For those disc golfing on the cheap, camping is free.

We're starting to work out the kinks in our expansion plans.

We're creating a revised Hole 17---a reachable hole, as a break in the brutal final stretch, that will be cut through the woods going uphill, turning right, then downhill, perhaps 250' total.

Plans are to create an Extra-8 holes that will allow us to offer the "original 18", or to play Hole 1, jump to #10-18, then pick up the extra 8 for an alternative 18-hole layout, or to play all 26 in one grueling stretch.

Some of the "extra 8" holes are looking pretty cool, and pretty unique as well, at least in theory.

ETA subject to time constraints and our continuing inability to keep equipment working. We'd love to have it done for next year's Stoney Hill Challenge, but no guarantees.

The website has finally been updated, so to speak, with more than 50 new pictures to better show the course, including all the changes that were put in for the Stoney Hill Challenge back in April. Check it out!

We'll be hosting another Chris "Mess" Bash, bring-your-partner doubles event on Sunday, December 27. More info at

http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/chrismessbash.htm

This will give visitors a chance to check out the completed pond and and the new hole 17, and if you stick around, we'll show you some of our expansion ideas and solicit input from anyone willing to offer it.

David,

The railroad ties that make the border to the green for the pond hole: Are those staying in place?

They look like they make a nice wall to hold discs in play above the edge of the water. I would suggest that you remove them and let it play like a green at Augusta and fall right into the water.

On the other hand, I'll bet that they reject some shots also.

Either way, that looks like a really fun hole with the pond. It was fun to watch people try and drive the green there from your house too. Make that a permanant hole. Love the pond and course!

Well. The 5" of rain from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida flooded the pond over the emergency spillway. That green became very small, and the railroad ties floated down to the dam, where they're awaiting some really strong backs to restore them to the green.

It is our intent, though. When the pond reached full, that green was slightly smaller than anticipated. For some divisions, the 250' carry is a bit much, and the layup area really shrank, so this may be one hole that needs a shorter tee.

The railroad-tie-wall rejects low throws, but I'm not sure if I've seen it save any. It could if a RHBH hyzer overshoots the basket, I guess. More interesting was the fact that the ties were staggered, leaving slots a rare lucky shot could slip through. I'm sure it'll be that way again.

The CTP shot from my house to there will be a fixture of post-tournament events, at least the sanctioned tournaments. It'll be really cool with the water there now. I originally envisioned it as a regular hole, with a rowboat/ferry across the pond, but that cuts the pond in half and makes other routing rather difficult.

Here's the view from my house, with pond about 3' below full:

http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/Photos/Hole%2015%20Basket,%20from%20across%20pond.jpg

Jonas, considering the fact that the #15 green has flooded 3 times in the past month, there is a very strong chance we will not be re-building the wall. The cross ties float and are now scattered out all over the pond. Not to mention, they weigh a ton. (literally)

So, the green is fast and the penalty severe.

Layout for Chris "Mess" Bash will be 20 holes, including a string of birdieable holes (16, 17, extra holes A & B) around the pond before #18. A chance to lose strokes....or lose discs.....

Next on the agenda is the Stoney Hill Challenge, April 17-18. See thread under tournaments.

No sooner is the Bash over than the course is changing again. Perhaps offended by seeing too many 2s on some scorecards, Hole "A" is undergoing a big change. The current basket location (open, reachable, with lots of water hazard) will be a landing zone, from which the hole goes into the woods, up an alleyway, and I mean UP, to a dramatic pin placement on the hillside, in the woods.

Current layout is 20 holes, par 64, with the best singles score being a "60". Add at least a stroke to that when we get this basket moved.

By the time of the Stoney Hill Challenge, who knows?

The ever-evolving course is undergoing some more dramatic changes, hopefully to be completed by the Stoney Hill Challenge.

After a recent visit from a bulldozer, hole 14 (the pasture) is being re-designed to eliminate the long walk to it. It will tee uphill through a pretty-cool archway, and then.....well, we're still working on that part.

There's talk of a somewhat-overlapping, "Diamond" layout as well. For those who've found Stoney Hill insufficiently challenging. Stay tuned.

For anyone, but particularly those not playing in the Stoney Hill Challenge, the next 6 weeks will be ideal times to visit Stoney Hill.

Of course, this is a great time of year to play disc golf, anywhere. But moreso here, as we groom the course for the tournament; it's never in better shape than April.

* It'll soon start drying out. Those who've slogged through the mud on holes 1 & 2 may not believe it, but when it warms up the ground turns to concrete and the water's no longer an issue.

* If you throw off the fairway---which we don't recommend---the underbrush is thinner.

* Once May comes and the vegetation surges, we'll fall behind on the maintenance things will be a little ragged....until fall, when the battle turns back in our favor.

Now that summer is upon us, we'll pass along that we're doing a bit better job with the mowing that in previous summer's. At any given time most holes are in good shape, though as we make the rounds a few holes will be a little shaggy.

Also a reminder that the couse is available to first-timers most weekdays after 6 PM, as well as weekends. Those who've played before can come out other times---but, in all cases, reservations still required (see website).

For those who did not play the Stoney Hill Challenge, we now have 2, slightly overlapping layouts. The standard Quartz layout (20 holes), plus the Diamond layout (18 holes but longer overall, with a few epic holes). We've also worked out routing for a few shorter layouts if you can't play the whole thing at once.

Next on the calendar---

THE BATTLE OF STONEY HILL

Sunday, October 10, 2010
(The day after the USDGC)

A one-day, Sunday-only tournament that will allow people to join the gallery at USDGC, and thus inspired, play a tournament of their own on Sunday.
.....Or practice the course before playing Sunday.
.....Or camp out at Stoney Hill and make it a weekend.
.....Or save half your weekend and play a one-day event.
.....Or, if you're fortunate enough to be playing in the USDGC and have the inclination, a chance to tack on one more day of competition that week.

We're still working on the details....we'll let you know.

......and now that the heat, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms are here, I've FINALLY posted the photos of Stoney Hill under the (rare) snow back in February. If anyone cares:

http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/snow.htm

Some Columbia friends and I get together each year for a birthday round, and instead of them commuting to the Upstate ('08) or me driving a crew to Columbia ('09), I was hoping we could meet in the middle and play Stoney Hill on Sunday August 1st.

Lucas and Charlotte from Columbia have played your course before and agree it's a good choice, but I want to make sure we had your OK before I schedule it with them and a few of my Upstate playing partners.

Please let me know either way, I can be reached at bill_meek2002@yahoo.com and thanks in advance!

We'd love for you to visit.

I sent you an e-mail regarding that particular date.

Don't forget to bring a swim suit for a dip in the pond after the round. It is refreshing and can be very rewarding.

With characteristic tardiness, I have FINALLY updated our website to reflect the new holes and layouts created back in April. Those who didn't play the Stoney Hill Challenge or haven't played since, might enjoy a glimpse of what we've done with the pond.

So far.

Though the main discussion is under the "tournaments" category, here also is the link for the flyer and tournament info for The Battle of Stoney Hill:

http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/battle.htm

For those not playing in The Battle, but otherwise interested in visiting....

This fall should be an excellent time. One side-benefit of our first-ever fall tournament is that the course will be fully mown and groomed in the next week or so, and then stay that way for the rest of the year. (Normally we just start whittling away at the summer growth and work our way through to be ready for the April tournament).

Initial, interesting results from our recent tournament (The Battle of Stoney Hill).

It was played under near-ideal conditions with generally light winds---very unusual for us. Looks like the SSA (1000-rated round) is about 58 for both layouts.

Which is interesting because the Quartz layout is 20 holes, Diamond is 18. Distances are about the same (6900'/7200'), with extra short holds on the Quartz and a couple of 700-footers on the Diamond, but apparently scores are roughly equal, regardless of which you play.