I definitely recommend that you make the trip to Ligonier to play the new course at Timberlink. Reese Swinea of Fly 18 got the tip from PFDS member Jerry Gotcher about this scenic par 55 executive ball golf course and took the leap to install 18 baskets along side the ball golf greens.

The course has one par four but all of other par threes are long -- #14, pictured here is the shortest hole at 231 feet. jgdropcho Homepage (http://homepage.mac.com/jgdropcho/PhotoAlbum2.html)

The total length of the disc golf layout from the green Pro tees is 6648, with 4 of the par 3 holes over 400 feet in length. Most of all the holes have big air shot windows as they play through and across the ball golf fairways.

The baskets are set up behind or beside the ball golf greens, which are out of bounds for disc golfers if a disc comes to rest on them. Sandtraps are also OB.
I have had at least one OB penalty in each of the 3 rounds that I've played at Timberlink.

Oddly enough, my best round so far was my first one, played to the poles that the baskets had not yet been mounted on. I shot even par 55 that first round, 56 the second time (with baskets) and 57 most recently.

Again, from the Pro tees it has been difficult to score many 2's. The orange Am disc golf tees are much easier, a total length of 4416. A DG player could choose to throw from the ball golf tee boxes is s/he chooses (6856 ft) with more open looks and flatter footing. So a disc golfer has options.

Timberlink's proprietor, Barney, has been scrambling since strong storms brought down 5-6 big trees on the course, but is starting to get caught up. Both he and Reese told me that all of the DG tee blocks that mark the tee areas are due to soon get hole numbers marked on them, improving the experience of new players finding their way around the layout.

One other problem that was commented on has already been rectified. Overlapping tees on holes 11 and 12 have been separated. Hole 12's Green tee has been moved back to the front of the White tee box and the Orange tee has been moved to the right side of the fairway, alleviating a confusion and safety issue if DGers were teeing from both 11 and 12 simultaneously.

My son Marcus and I played Timberlink and finished the 18 hole round in just over 2 hours. Renting a cart was a lot of fun and it speeded our play. Price for the 18-hours with a cart was $14, but walking an 18-hole round costs only $8.

My recommendation is to play Timberlinks as soon as possilbe. My prediction is that you want to play it again.

How are the ball golfers reacting to disc golfers sharing their course? I imagine a disc could do some serious damage to the green.

-mark

Not any more than a ball.The way the holes are set up it is hard to do a spike hyzer on a green.Most of them you fly over. ;)

cool..i'm going to try to check it out before the summer ends.

Made all the changes to the map and sent them yesterday.The waterpark will start with the direct emailing to all of thier season pass holders about the new disc golf course across the street.Barney finished the #s on all the blocks.We are hoping for an event this year Jerry thinks a 1 day event 2 rounds 1in the daytime the second round at night.We will have a big bonfire with keg and live music on a saturday night.We are working out some dates.Lots of beginer players at the course.Summer is still in effect ,bring the family, drop them at the water park, and skoot across the streeet for some fun ,in a golf cart. ;)

Now that day night thingy sounds like a whole lot of fun.

If we are going to have an event there, I think our best idea would be to have a ball golf/disc golf challenge.

I agree, I was talking to Schick about that type of event. He said they had one in Ohio and it was awesome.

i agree the day night thing sounds pretty sweet, but i too agree the ball/disc combo would be fun.

ball during the day, discs at night!!! i smell early evening bbq and brewskis!

A couple of folks have suggested different formats for a tournament at the Timberlink Golf Course. Any event will probably be scheduled sometime during October (and possibly November?). Please note that lots of leaves will be on the ground at that time of year and losing golf balls may be a factor to consider (the golf course closes to the public that month because of that reason and, of course, the seasonality of the business).

I am thinking of a holloween classic.Oct 28 29 first round sat at 11;00 second round at dusk 5:00 it will be daylight savings time.All of the baskets will have a plastic pumpkin head lit up on top.If you knock the head to the ground you take a stroke and replace the head.I would like to have a large bonfire with a keg of beer donated and live music.We will be able to let players camp on the course for the night.Next morning 1 more round at 10;00 and awards after.this will let players get home before dark 2:00 it should end.Yes more coldies on sunday.No carts on the night round for obvious reasons.If we do not do a pdga event beers and the pumpkin head are all in.I have no problem ,with whatever format ,the players want ,I will support all options.This could be lots of fun ;)How about the disc and cycle holloween classic????Cycle being the golf club :DI am sure with the help of Jerry and J gary it will be a success. ;)

OK so I cant spell sounds like a bike event. :o:eek: :D :D

day/nite rounds full o' brews and bbqs... with overnite on-site camping for second round sunday?!?! WOOHOOOO!!! guess I need some of those ultra mega "you've never seen anything glow this bright before" gateway bees!

from equipment post:
"Our glow discs will last for several hours without recharging and the wholesale price is $8.
we use a material called strontium not zinc phosphorescence.
the price difference is 17 a lb for zinc and closer to 50 for strontium, plus we over kill it with glow.

--------------------
David McCormack
pdga # 2873
To become a TD or wholesaler of our products go to our websites:
[url] www.gdstour.com (http://www.gdstour.com)

http://www.myspace.com/gatewaydiscsports" (http://www.myspace.com/gatewaydiscsports)

I am thinking of a holloween classic.Oct 28 29 first round sat at 11;00 second round at dusk 5:00 it will be daylight savings time.All of the baskets will have a plastic pumpkin head lit up on top.If you knock the head to the ground you take a stroke and replace the head.I would like to have a large bonfire with a keg of beer donated and live music.We will be able to let players camp on the course for the night.Next morning 1 more round at 10;00 and awards after.this will let players get home before dark 2:00 it should end.Yes more coldies on sunday.No carts on the night round for obvious reasons.If we do not do a pdga event beers and the pumpkin head are all in.I have no problem ,with whatever format ,the players want ,I will support all options.This could be lots of fun ;)How about the disc and cycle holloween classic????Cycle being the golf club :DI am sure with the help of Jerry and J gary it will be a success. ;)



Those dates won't work, Reese....you must be looking at the wrong month on the calendar because the 29th is a Monday.

Currently, it looks like the <u>only</u> weekend date that is not taken is Sunday, October 28. Let's go ahead and schedule that day "reserved" for Timberlink. We have plenty of time to decide on a format (disc golf, ball golf, glow golf, etc...) :)

I still need to get some dates before the course closes for winter.It looks like it is going to be a 1 day event unless we can find an open weekend ... ;)

Winter is comming and it looks like timberlink event will happen on the 3rd of nov.It will be a 1 day event 2 rounds on saturday.All of the oct weekends are taken execpt sundays football and I have learned that you cant beat football on sunday.This week we will have format price and times for the players.I was hopping for a 2 day event but that will have to happen next year in the spring.Any ideas will be welcome.I know that Mr Lagrassa got a chance to play the course with a friend last week .I am hopping that he will give a review on the course this week.This looks like the end of year event...I have 2 more courses to install this year.That will be 4 for the year. Fly keeps flying. ;)

That is the day of Leo Lillers wedding and many PFDS members will be attending.

I have crap to do for work that Saturday. If this event is not going to be a day/night event we could do it on Sunday. Steelers play Monday night that week. Just to let you know. Anyway don't rearrange anything because of me.

Sundays in November are when the Sunday Devotional Play-offs occur. I thought the date was going to be the end of October?

Oct 20?saturdayWookin pa nub. :)

Oct 20?



Nope. That's the Moraine Monthly followed by the "Learn to play Disc Golf" clinic. (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/calendar/park.aspx?Park=6210&amp;Year=YearForward&amp;M=MonthForwar d&amp;Region=) Random Doubles will be cancelled that Saturday afternoon and we hope to have several PFDS members hang out and talk disc golf with anyone who may attend this event. There's no telling how many folks will show up for the clinic considering weather in October, but it's on the event calendar and we've experienced good membership participation from promotional events like the Regatta at Lake Arthur. Information regarding this Moraine clinic will be posted on the club's web site soon.

how about dec 25 anything going on. :confused:

I'm sorry man, I definetly want to play. I think a saturday in November would probably be best. But I am not positive as to what is going on. I do know that our club has increased the number of local events over the last couple years and participation is steadily increasing as the number of courses increase. i don't think its a question of people wanting to play your event, we just need to find the right day. For me, I would love to play a ball golf disc golf scramble.

I 100% agree. I'm one of those people who just started making it out to all the local events. I have spent more time and money this year traveling around the Pittsburgh area than ever before. Not that i'm complaining. I'm all for playing at Timberlink, which is a great course layout. I wouldn't worry about the time of year. Even if there was snow on the ground and the owner was cool with it, i'm sure people would show. I remember playing at Moraine with snow on the ground, the wind blowing, and tempertures in the 20'ies. We should just set a date in november and go with it. It's not going to be perfect for everyone. Even if we did a ball golf / disc golf format...that's probably not going to be cool with everyone. I would love to do it that way but that would eliminate some players.

So, in my opinion, set a date and let the chips fall as they may.

Sunday nov 4 th no steelers play that day they play on monday night.How about we start a later around 11:00 first round second round at 2:30.I know players will drink at a wedding hence the 11: 00 start.This is the last day of daylight savings time.It may get dark by 6;30. What about that???We will have the tv on in the pro shop.Do we scantion it or just have a good time?I say let the barley mist fly.... :D

I would hope that this is disc golf and ball golf? That would be the format that would most attract me to this course for an event.

i think the only way I would go is if it is a ball / disc event.

I had the opportunity to play Timberlink on Friday. I had a good time playing and the back nine was so awesome. Great scenery and a good layout, wouldnt change a thing. The front though, unfortunately, needs a redesign IMO. I see where Reese was going with the layout (following the ball golf holes and avoiding the highway) however, it does leave alot to be desired. A ton of backtracking and the holes get repetitious.

and those baskets, WOW, am I a terrible putter!

I hear you, I do follow the course whatever the golf layout is.I am open for suggestions.I do think there are some great holes on the front 9.I am open for whatever the players want.I will support any format.Rember Kurt is a scratch golfer the more he plays golf the more strokes he will get on you...We only have so many golf club rentals it may be a problem.I will donate a keg of newcastle barley and pizza for all players at lunch.With football going on I think a football pool could be added for extra betting.??I am not sure if Jerry G will be in town he may be at vpo in texas.Either J gary or Kurt P will run the event.I do need a td ...Let the games begin...

Rember Kurt is a scratch golfer the more he plays golf the more strokes he will get on you...



I should add... That was before i learned about Disc Golf. Don't get out ball golfing as much as i did in HS and College. Alanna has single handedly killed my handicap.

I used to shoot in the low 80's when I Was 12. Now I barely shoot in the high 80's if I'm lucky. GUess that's what happens when you take off 14 years of golfing to play disc golf instead.

I had the opportunity to play Timberlink on Friday. I had a good time playing and the back nine was so awesome. Great scenery and a good layout, wouldnt change a thing. The front though, unfortunately, needs a redesign IMO. I see where Reese was going with the layout (following the ball golf holes and avoiding the highway) however, it does leave alot to be desired. A ton of backtracking and the holes get repetitious.



I'd like to thank Jerry Gotcher and Reese Swinea for making this course possible. This is a truly unique disc golfing experience for the state of Pennsylvania and one that people should go out of their way to experience.

As a heavily wooded executive par 3 ball golf course, the Timberlinks property is perfect fit for disc golf. The front nine plays across a sloping hillside with the grain of slope running across most holes. The back nine plays directly downhill and then into a hollow with a meandering creek running through several holes. These back nine hole are spectacular! Hole#12 plays about 355 ft. and severely downhill with the basket in some woods on the backside of a green - with a backhand roller I parked it 9 feet away. :cool:Hole#13 plays similarly but the basket is just short and right of a green with a bunker that can come into play. Hole#14 is the shortest hole on the course, but definitely not the easiest - there is a shallow creek that runs right in front of the basket. Hole#15 has a really neat "fast" green, and hole#16, as the only pro par four on the course, plays over 700 feet long with the creek bisecting the hole as well as running along the left side of the fairway on the drive. The basket is located on the backside of the ball golf green and with anything but a less than perfect drive, golfers may need to elect to lay up on the approach. A birdie 3 on this hole is stellar play!

Some general suggestions for improvement on this course are to use two tee markers to make for tee locations. There were several times when we became confused over whether to tee from the left or right side of the marker. Additionally, some bold black paint should be used to clearly indicate the hole number on the markers. Furthermore, the baskets themselves could use better marking - some bold black paint on each polehole would allow golfers to easily see from afar which basket to use. Even with a course map, there were several holes on the front nine which we were unsure about. We were fortunate to have a golf cart available and actually chose to drive ahead on almost every hole on the front nine to ensure we were shooting at the right target. If walking, this would get very frustrating and annoying quite quickly.

While I was blown away by the beauty and fun play of the back nine, the front nine leaves a little bit to be desired, imo. Because of the slope of the hill, the play of each hole is designed to shoot uphill and away from the highway. The end result is that the holes all play very similarly. Additionally, in order to fit nine holes into the limited land on the front nine, there is some considerable backtracking from each tee. Furthermore, from the pro tees (green tee markers) there are some interferences where an errant shot could hit golfers playing to the polehole of the previous hole. We nearly had a black ace on several holes! Hole#5 is also problematic as it's one of the few holes on the front nine that plays downhill and towards the road. I turned over a Pro Starfire which flew out onto and across Rt. 30, which is an enormous safety hazard.

As Josh indicated, a redesign of the front nine is not out of the question. I don't think that the play of the disc golf course necessarily has to follow the exact play of the ball golf course - it doesn't seem like the amount of ball golf traffic at Timberlinks would cause a problem with that. With just a little tweaking, I could see a new flow and layout that makes better use of this land. The back nine are perfect as they are - don't change a thing there!

Regards,
-Jeff

Thanks for the kind words.I knew this was going to be a fun course from the time I pulled up.I do have plans to install flypads next year on the pro pads.The novis layout is verry short and fun for families and will probably stay the same.The course does have a map that tells and shows where the basket is on that hole.But as I have learned most dont look or read the map at all.I am looking forward to having the event this year so more players get a chance to play this little jem in the woods.Thanks to Jerry G for spotting this course on his travels and passing it on to me.I never got to throw 1 disc on this course before I left nor did anyone else.The baskets got hung up in texas.I am proud to have my first north east fly style corse open for play at all level.I am glad you had a great time at the course Jeff I look forward to many more.Fly 18 changing the place we play not the game..

November 4th is the first day of the sunday devotional play-offs.

I give up I cant find a date unless it is end of nov or dec.If it snows no carts.I hope to make the sechudule next year in spring.