Join us for Stoney Hill's first PDGA-sanctioned, South Carolina points series event on Sunday, April 13.

Only $30 for Pros, $18 for Ams.

This will be a one-day, Sunday tournament, so the course will be available on Saturday for anyone wishing to practice.

For those who may not know, Stoney Hill is David & Chris Sauls's private course near Newberry, SC. We believe we've built an exciting & challenging course, with tremendous elevation and great variety (long, short, uphill, downhill, tight, open, and many hazards to test your physical & mental game). Our intent has been to gear the course to Pros & top Ams, so the Stoney Hill Challenge will be limited to the following divisions:

Open Pro
Pro Masters
Advanced
Advanced Masters
Intermediate

For more information:

Click for tournament flyer (http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/challenge.htm)

Click for course info, photos, directions, & contact info (http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill)

As a few people already know, you are free to camp on the property Saturday night. You can practice Saturday and just hang out---we've got a number of places you can set up, nad probably a camper to offer as well.

For those who played The Quarry and those who have visited to practice....we give you fair warning that we plan to put leaves on the trees by mid-April. Stoney Hill should less drab, and considerably tighter, at that time.

I few items from a PM I received, that may be of general interest:

Tent camping on the property will be free. Be aware that there is one available shower and limited cooking facilities; plan accordingly. We have one camper, currently without electricity or water, for which we may charge.

We have deliberately kept entry fees low, so there probably won't be a players package, nor huge payouts. We'll have a big selection of Innova merchandise, so you can use your savings there if you wish.

It is our hope that the course will be the attraction....not payouts.

More for those who may wish to camp Saturday night:

10 minutes away are restaurants, including a great Greek/Italian and a very good barbeque/buffet, and groceries.

Fast food is 20 minutes away. You might want to bring your own breakfast.

There are no "camping" facilities as such. There are some fine places to set up tents or park RVs....but no electricity or water unless you set up next to my house. There is one available shower (but with a tankless water heater, so unlimited hot water).

2 weeks to go. There is still a bounty on the course record. $50 on 50. For $2, you can make a run at shooting a 49 or better and win $50.00.

Early registration has been posted and can be seen here (http://www.pdga.com/tournament/tournament_results.php?TournID=7650)

With only 5 divisions and 72 spots available, we will probably not fill.....but if you know you're coming, we certainly appreciate your pre-registering as it will help us plan the best possible event, and avoid delays on Sunday morning. For everyone coming Saturday to practice (and/or camp), we'll try to gather your registrations then. (Note for anyone watching the PDGA tour page....we don't have internet at Stoney Hill, so nothing will be updated after Friday afternoon).

.....and for anyone coming down Saturday who's not into camping----

The most convenient hotel is Hampton Inn, which is is the historic downtown section of Newberry and only about 10 easy miles to the course. Of course, it may be beyond the budgets of many disc golfers. There are several motels about 20 minutes away on the Walmart/Lowes/McDonalds strip of highway 76; I can't vouch for any of them but my best guess from the outside would be Quality Inn; and a Days Inn 25-30 minutes away at the interstate interchange.

For the real budget-minded, there is crash space at Travis's house, about 30 minutes away. Please don't keep Travis out too late.

Of course, this doesn't apply to those who are coming in for Sunday morning, as one of the rationales for a 1-day tournament was to minimize need for lodging. But for those who want to come on Saturday to check out or practice the course, or make a weekend of it, these are options.

David is the course available to practice during the week? If so I might be making it up that way soon.

You'll need a guide the first time or two around the course. Chris and I are both on tight schedules this spring, but if you contact me and give me a day or two advance notice, one of us can probably work it out. Will have to be 5 p.m. or later, and not today.

Alright sounds good to me. I will let you know when

how long does it usually take to get a round in? whats your guess on getting out of there on sunday (after awards ceremony?)

Depends on how you guys play. Best evidence would be:

We recently had a foursome play a casual round in about 2 hours. We were hardly top-level players, shooting 60, 62, 70, & 73.

In our non-sanctioned tournament in February, we had 30 players. No holes particularly backed up. After we finished, a foursome went back out and got another round in before dark, which was about 6:00 at that time.

I try to run a quick awards ceremony so people can get on the road, or back to playing. For example, at the Quarry we didn't announce the CTP winners....just tracked them down and gave them their prizes.

Ultimately, it depends on how many players we have, and how they play, and how many pre-register or arrive early Sunday to register so the start is not delayed. My best guess is 3 hour rounds, everything wrapped up by 6:00.

Can't wait to PLAY! Considering this weekends tournament for me has been STORMED out! Hope you find ample amount of time for clean up and preparation this weekend!

Hey, it's just 2 people. We won't turn down any help.

Mike, are you going to play both rounds or will you let the course get the best of you? By the way, just when you thought the course wasn't tough enough,we roped the road and beyond OB on hole #9.

Yeah, for everyone complaining that the course is too easy, or that there's not enough opportunity to acquire penalty strokes. The consensus was that players were feeling "safe" on the teepad, and we can't have that.

This course is FAR from EASY let me clear that up! If you think it's too easy then join the NT and compete with the big boys. Theres not too many in between scores here. You have a HOT score of 54 or better or you do as the rest of us do (including myself if you don't walk with 3 holes left) and shoot in the middle to upper 60's (or 70's as David does more times than not! HAHA).

I'd also like to clear up another issue, the courses DIFFICULTY didn't make me quit with a few holes to go, my game was SO BAD that I didn't see the significance in walking another 300' ft worth of uphills! The hills climbing to 16 and 17 then to 18's tee are RIDICULOUS! And when you were playing as bad as me, it just didn't make since to continue!

On the other note, I'm gunning for the VICTORY this yr, and if after an 80 my first rnd this past weekend at the South course at the IDGC in flooding rains were I KNOW we got 2 inches the first round alone, with no umbrella, couldn't grip a disc, no dry towel, and with 1 hole to go about 2 square inches of dryness left on my shorts to attempt drying off, then I think I can manage! Also let me note that it was 90 degrees going on 120 degrees that beautiful, NO WIND, June 9, 2007 day!...It's always atleast breezy and I couldn't even get that to help me out! CAN'T WAIT TO PLAY SUNDAY!

i am planning on finally getting out there this weekend to see the course

Oh lord! I might as well be ready for 2nd! I guess that's what I'm gunning for!!! Mike Jo I think you'll LOVE this course. You got times where you can definitely Brooksville, FL style "AIR IT OUT" and times where you wish you would have just thrown your PUTTER b/c that's as far as your drive went and wouldn't have been in the woods technique shots. There are definitely some PLACEMENT holes out there.

Okay, coming south from Newberry on Hwy 395, is that dirt road (Cannon Swamp Road) the shortcut to take? I think I tried this a couple years ago and the bridge was out. What's your advice?

Absolutely not! Cannon Swamp Road is a dirt road with a bridge out....by appearances it has been out for 20 years with no plans to restore it, the kind of thing GPS never tells you. (You can still walk across it if you're careful).

Coming down 395 from Newberry, go about 7 miles past highway 34 and turn left on Counts Sausage Road. (It's at the top of a small hill and easy to blow by, so be careful). Go about 2 miles up Counts Sausage and turn right on Minick Lane....and you're there.

The "too easy" part was an inside joke for those who have been there. We don't say "hard", we say "challenging". There's a lot of "make a good shot---OR ELSE" in play. The added OB was in a similar vein, as OB is already a major factor on 8 holes.

The best measure is that course record is 49, but very few have broken 54. I duffer like myself can (and has) shoot a 55 or 56....but, as Mike tactlessly but truthfuly points out, also hit the mid-70s if I can't keep it in the fairways.

i am planning on finally getting out there this weekend to see the course



For yourself and anyone else coming out Saturday who hasn't played the course....if you give us an idea of your approximate arrival time we'll try to have someone familiar with the course join you for a round. It's much simpler that way. (Then you can be guide for any new folks who show up later).

The phone numbers on the flyer are our cell phones, but service is a little spotty at the course. This weekend you can also try my home phone---which is also Tournament Central on Sunday--- which is 803-364-3999.

SoOoOoOoO ready for SUNDAY! Wish I could make it out Saturday but if I play any ADDITIONAL disc golf in the near future then what I already have planned, my soon to be wife may be missing from the Wedding Extravaganza on May 3, 2008. As Chris "DNA" Kilgus would say but in different words, "My wife/wedding takes a big tol' on my golf game" !!! haha

wait unitl you have more kids...I left my golf game at Lexington Hospital.

Perhaps you should reconsider the wedding, Mike, if your intended doesn't want to be married at Stoney Hill next to the pole hole on 18 ... and then play 2 rounds for the honeymoon!!)

Your right Mike, once you lose that game it is hard to get back. See yall Sunday

mj can't wait to see you sunday bro! bring yo a game! well bring yo c game so one of us saulsees or martinez'zzzzz will have a chance. but fo real, i'm excited and looking forward to seeing you play the course. also if you or anybody else need's or want's to camp out at my lake house you guy's are more than welcome, just let me know. i'm about 25 minutes from the course, bring a fishing rod, the sea bass are jumping. my number is 803-917-0307 or house 803-781-0580. i may need to patch up some loose end's with the lady but i don't think it will be a problem for you or anybody else. but then again camping on the course will be awesome also, it's a b e a utiful place!!!!!!!!

camping space is also available at the lake house if anybody is interested...although you may have to fend off coral's girlfriend's....there almost of age.......i get older but they stay the same age...yes the do!

dna, can't wait to see you also my man. you will love the course.

mj can't wait to see you sunday bro! bring yo a game! well bring yo c game so one of us saulsees or martinez'zzzzz will have a chance. but fo real, i'm excited and looking forward to seeing you play the course. also if you or anybody else need's or want's to camp out at my lake house you guy's are more than welcome, just let me know. i'm about 25 minutes from the course, bring a fishing rod, the sea bass are jumping. my number is 803-917-0307 or house 803-781-0580. i may need to patch up some loose end's with the lady but i don't think it will be a problem for you or anybody else. but then again camping on the course will be awesome also, it's a b e a utiful place!!!!!!!!




Wha wha wha wha whaatttTtttT? I think I understood about half of that. What Travis intended to get across for all of you people who are atleast 35% literate is that he has PLENTY of room on their 1-2 acre point on beautiful lake murray. The woman of the house may not be in the best of moods or be the most excited about you being there, but have no fear, she's always that way! haha.

Last time I checked, sea bass were caught about 20 to 30 miles offshore out of myrtle beach and charleston! ha...The bass are definitely biting though if you are into fishing. Smaller fish like bream and what-not aren't due to water temps.

Chris, you're right, that's why I'm playing AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE this year due to children may be on the horizon in the oh so near future. UH OH?!?!

Vanessa, if I could get married on a disc golf course and play a few rounds as my honeymoon, and save the $10,000 that it's costing overall for wedding and honeymoon, oh you better believe it, I WOULD!!! as long as I got to go offshore fishing afterwords.

5 days till the CHALLENGE!!! WOOT WOOT! Can't wait!

Going to have CTP's, $1 ace challenge after tournament like the old Earlewood Classic days, etc this yr? Lets take this first SANCTIONED tournament ever at Stoney Hill and blow it out! Go over and beyond! Travis' idea of Jager Bombs for CTP's for all over 21 still sounds good to me. The CTP holes have to be farthest distance from hole 18 though. We need not bring anybody to hospital. This property claimed many souls and trips to hospital for stitches in it's first couple years alone!

well glad i got the translation in there to make sure i understood all that

LOL. You never know. I kind of got lost on who he may have been talking about at what time and what way! haha

Yeah I cant wait to get out there either. Are the descriptions and footages on the web up to date for the course. I wont be able to make it until Sunday Morning so I would like to be somewhat prepared.

The web pictures are pretty much current but, as we were discussing here today, you can't tell how big the hills are from the photos, which tend to flatten out the appearance. Be advised that they are about double the hills at Earlewood. For example: Earlewood #18 has about 35' elevation drop.....Stoney Hill #1 is about 60'. 2 & 3 look flat in the pictures, but don't be fooled. Trust the descriptions.

For Mike, regarding ancillary contests---I'm sure we'll have an ace pool. CTPs will probably be whatever Travis comes up with. On #18, instead of CTP, we'll award the longest putt made (in keeping with one of my design philosophies, which is to tempt players to do something foolish).

And, of course, the course record contest. Pay $2, and if you break 49, you win $50. Remember, there are 11 reachable, birdieable holes, so how hard can it be?

The current forecast is for sunny, 10% chance of rain, and temperature of 64 or 74 degrees, depending on who you believe, but still about 50 degrees cooler than last June. Sadly, the forecast does not include a warranty.

For Kilgus, show up early Sunday and check out as much of the course as you can. I should be up and about by 7 a.m. and, though I can't join you, I can give you a map and course guide.

Sounds good. I will see you then.

Reminder---as mentioned on the flyer----that John & Christine Wright will be selling lunches on Sunday. We recommend you take advantage, as

* They do a great job catering disc golf tournaments.
* Much more convenient to hang around the beautiful & peaceful course than the go off in search of lunch.
* The money they receive goes towards Sayde's tournament the following Saturday, proceeds of which go to a great cause (FIDO).

Otherwise, you either pack your lunch, or haul off in search of food. Most of the eateries in Prosperity are closed Sunday (you can get hotdogs and junk food at the BP; I think the barbeque house will be open), and the normal fast food places are 20 minutes away in Newberry.

(Oh, and you can work up an appetite traversing these hills!)

The current forecast is for sunny, 10% chance of rain, and temperature of 64 or 74 degrees, depending on who you believe, but still about 50 degrees cooler than last June. Sadly, the forecast does not include a warranty.



Just pulled an updated forecast. Low: 43 High: 58 and WINDY~!~!~!~!...not a good combination for Stoney Hill

Forgot that I had plans to go to ATL this Saturday and going to Stone Mtn. Not sure if we're staying that night or not yet or whether we're going. Still watching the weather. Hope to make it out but now i'm not so sure. Trying to see if I can convince the wifey to let me drive back Saturday night!

Stone Mountain or Stoney Hill. Tough choice.

Might make it Sunday.

The current forecast is for sunny, 10% chance of rain, and temperature of 64 or 74 degrees, depending on who you believe, but still about 50 degrees cooler than last June. Sadly, the forecast does not include a warranty.



Just pulled an updated forecast. Low: 43 High: 58 and WINDY~!~!~!~!...not a good combination for Stoney Hill



So much for my plans to sell $20 tickets to have lunch in the air-conditioned house! My weather prediction is fewer complaints about the heat than last year. Looks like we can wear long pants, which is not a bad thing if we stray off the fairways, and 60 degrees will be plenty warm once you start climbing the hills.

For those who haven't experienced it---with our exposed hills we almost always are dealing with wind, but if when they put "windy" in the forecast, a few holes get downright crazy. Driving on 1, 9, 12, and 15, and putting 18, become quite adventurous.

We've a long list of non-pre-registered players who are nevertheless expected. A reminder that if you're practicing Saturday you can register then.....but if you're driving in Sunday, please register as early as possible so we can stay on schedule.

The course is getting ready and looking good but watch out, she can be a b*%ch. . .

Camping also available in my front yard overlooking hole 8. Please NO CAMPFIRES! ha

Looks like we should definately top the 30 players we had for the quarry. Field still limited to 72.

Newberry forecast, via the weather channel:

High of 63 degrees, 10 MPH winds. Perfect.

Adding to the list of things we do that you rarely if ever see at a tournament.....

TV

Since tournament HQ happens to be my home, those who must watch that other-kind-of-golf tournament the networks are carrying, can do so after the final round. Or at least a few of you can.....it's a small house (with a big yard).

We've a long list of non-pre-registered players who are nevertheless expected. A reminder that if you're practicing Saturday you can register then.....but if you're driving in Sunday, please register as early as possible so we can stay on schedule.



At this point we have 21 pre-registered and at a bunch who've told us they're coming, but not registered. I'm only listing confirmed registrations on the PDGA site. Among those others we're expecting are Mike Johansen, Alan Beaver, Ray Price,Brian Jones, Caleb Wood, Jeremy Koling, Dave Marchant, Scott Odom, Matt Stockton*, Mel Shuman*, Mike Doyle, Aaron Doyle, Darrell Lambrecht, Ryan Beane, Chris Kilgus, Blaine Kinkel*, Zack Rogers, Mark Muren, Brent Jarrett, & Chris Webb. (*-indicates I got this from a 3rd party). I'm sure there are one or two others I'm forgetting, or whose names I failed to get when I talked to them.

i am looking forward to playing now that it looks like it wont be crappy weather like it looked like earlier in the week.Wheels and i will be heading down sometime on saturday to get a chance to play the course

Weather Channel has boosted Sunday's high to 65 degrees....but boosted winds to 16 MPH! Of course, that's 3 days out---all we're willing to promise is that it will be dryer than IDGC was last weekend, and less windy than 3 weeks ago when tornados ran through the neighborhood.

hey atleast the temperature has gone up from earlier. i would think tornadoes would be tough to play disc golf in?

Very hard choice for me too! I'd love to see this course, but probably not on Masters sunday. Too much tradition watching that event, but who knows if it is a blowout you may have more augustans showing up.

hey atleast the temperature has gone up from earlier. i would think tornadoes would be tough to play disc golf in?



Yeah, but you can shatter distance records if you catch it just right.

(Actually, the destruction was about 2 miles up the road from us....mostly cleaned up, but you'll see a bit if it on your way in).

i am thinking that would be the only way i could set a distance record

Very hard choice for me too! I'd love to see this course, but probably not on Masters sunday. Too much tradition watching that event, but who knows if it is a blowout you may have more augustans showing up.



RECORD IT . My DVR changed my life.

i am thinking that would be the only way i could set a distance record



Tornados are tough to time. Try what I did---pick a good overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, watch for rangers, then let it fly. Disc disappeared approximately 1500 feet away. It'll probably never be found but, should it be, I've left litter in the national forest with my name and phone number in indelible ink.

Dave, I will definitely be there so you can go ahead and put me up on the pre reg list. I would send in a check but it doesn't make since to now so I will just bring it Sunday. And Im assuming John and Christene will be taking registrations for Sayde's because Im definitely going to be there also.

Thanks David

I'm coming as of now. Not making the trip to Stone Mtn in Atlanta, Ga! So looking forward to playing with all that I haven't seen in so long!!!

newest weather update: 50 when you wake up, high of 65 and WINDY! 14mph winds which is about 20-25 at Stoney Hill. Pull out your Firebirds or equivalent discs for hole 1, 9, & 15 keep up with the high winds rolling on the open hills!!!

Those practicing Saturday may be in for a real adventure---forecast is 15 - 25 MPH winds and, as Mike says, they're always higher at Stoney Hill.

David, was thinking about bringing one of my dogs with me. Is that okay? I'm so siked and ready to play the tournament. But after doubles yesterday, I can say i'm a little skeptical of how I'm going to PERFORM?!?!?!?! Wasn't too pretty yesterday. Couldn't drive, which is normal these days, and couldn't hit a put to save my life. (I think I made 1)

If you mean having your dogs along during the round, I'd think other players might consider that a courtesy violation, and I'd back them up on the call. Depends on the dog, of course, but I wouldn't even want Roscoe, who's very obedient and used to disc golf, tagging along during a sanctioned event. Better not to put other players in that position.

If you're just asking about the rest of the time, that's fine. It's dog heaven (ask Roscoe!). Assuming you have a place to put dog(s) during the rounds. You can ask Lori about depositing your dog with hers. If you've got a cage, it should be cool enough.

I had a pretty good doubles round, -17 under isnt too bad and Im 2 for 2 on doubles win this season when I show up. Hope I perform that well Saturday. We will see. Sounds like its going to be fun

Hope I perform that well Saturday.



Uh, Sunday

I am leaving the internet for the week (none at Stoney Hill), including this discussion board and e-mail. Any registrations arriving today or tomorrow will not show on the pre-reg list. For any further information, I recommend you call my home (803) 364-3999 and leave a message; you can also call my cell, listed on the flyer (803) 917-8316, but service is spotty at Stoney Hill.

See those practicing the course tomorrow----everyone else Sunday morning!

gonna b 42 degrees in the morning sunday and slowly warming up to 65 by about 3 p.m. Winds forecasted to be 17mph!!! that's pretty blustery out there!

62 for the high tomorrow coming at 4 p.m. Winds at 15-20mph all day!!! Going to be a cold and windy one! Don't place your bets for the under 50 gets $50. Possibly Johansen who has been exposed to the elements many times before and has discovered how to florish in them (as in at the hall of fame the 1st yr) has the chance~!

HEADING TO THE COURSE. C YA THERE!!! YEE HAW

AND...Koling takes Shuman in last round by 1 stroke. Final Round Koling 54 Shuman 58. It was a great day of disc golf, where I didn't fare to well the 1st rnd but redeemed myself the 2nd! When we noted that it was going to be WINDY, it sure was WINDY!!! Wow was it. 15 mph constantly with the ever so often (about every 20 seconds) 25-35 mph gust! I used my 30 seconds many times to wait for a calm moment. Worked a few times!

Jeremy, time to just move up and accept the cash. Yeah the Am world title would be nice, BUTTTT that chance that you may get 2nd and have turned down 1000's of bux worth of cash (even though you can get the merch now, which is ridiculous!!!). But do as you wish! If you go to Am Worlds I'm all for ya, and I'm pretty sure you'll fare well enough to run away with it. Good shootin' today bro!!! I'm sure I'll beat you one of these days or rounds! Maybe....

Thanks to everyone who came out---we're trying to get the course some exposure and 51 players, including 21 pros, was great, especially with a large contingent from Charlotte. And a very special thanks to Alan Beaver, Zack Rogers, & Dave Cannon for helping out our small staff with scoring.

We hope everyone enjoyed the course in general, and forgive us the faults (a few slick teepads, more than a few briars). We're working on it. The weather turned out to be great, a little breezy perhaps, but plenty warm enough, as my sunburn attests.

A special thanks to John & Chris Wright, with a terrific catering job. Please support them at Sayde's this coming Saturday.

Contratulations to the winners:

OPEN PRO --- Jeremy Koling
ADVANCED --- Blaine Kinkel
ADVANCED MASTERS --- David Heywood
INTERMEDIATE --- James Lewismoss

I'll get the results posted this week, as soon as I reorganize my house and find everything. For those who may be interested, I'll get some survey results & scoring averages posted here as well.

We do promise to smooth things out a bit next year. Registration was a bit hectic, which pushed back our start 10 minutes. Hopefully we'll fill up, even better if in advance, but we'll try to have a express check-in lane for those who are pre-registered.

Great course and just wish I could have finished it. Bad knee and after hole number 1, I couldn't throw anymore back hands so I figured I would back out and hole 18 didn't help either. Great tourney though.

Hole 18? You mean your CIRCLE 10!!! Bet that did hurt, it hurt me too!!! Since that's what I ended up with. But truth be hold, the TD and others shot worse on that 500ft or so hole!!! Breezy with basket on a 10ft cone hill is ROUGH!!!!! Chris so glad you came out bro, and as short as our round was together I had a great time. Glad you're playing pro. Hope to play many more rounds with you, it was a pleasure! If you're wondering how I faired, I finished with a 70 the first round! Shot 30 on front and 40 on back! 2nd rnd shot 29 on front and 27 on back! What a turn around! Bad thing is Caled Wood turned it around even more than me. We played together 2nd rnd and he bettered his score by 15 strokes where I did by 14!

GREAT tournament David, Chris, Travis, Coral and whomever else helped out the few weekends and weeks before the have the course in BY FAR the best shape I have EVER seen it. I found 1 briar patch and it got me good. Ruined my $40 polo and put gashes in my hands. BUT on the bright side I got my disc back and only took a 4!

Oh yeah that did hurt me!!! Bad!!! I had a really good round going until then but I wasn't too worried about it because I threw some good shots on the hole and even tried to play it smart but even my lay ups were rolling away with that crazy wind. Then after my forehand on hole 2 I felt something give way on my knee but tried not to think about it too much until we got to hole 5 and I would usually throw back hand but couldn't plant on my right leg and after that I figured it was time to leave and not do any more damage. So after seeing my game first hand at March Madness and Stoney hill Mike do you think my games getting better minus the #18 disaster?

Good news is that I work in the Clinical Exercise Research Center here at USC and have been cleared to play this weekend by the doctors here. See everyone at Sayde's...hopefully.

who finished behind koling, and mel? and the same goes for advanced. Anyone remember.

Putting on Hole 18 was insane Sunday, due to wind. Starting with the headwind that meant it took extra strokes just to get to the green. It turned a rather scary shot into a near-impossible one, and the scores and surveys reflected that. The Open Pros averaged 5.1 on that hole, and there were a good number of double-digits carded in the various divisions, including mine.

I should have the results posted this afternoon, and hopefully some of the hole data and survey data as well. I recall that Mike Jo finished 3rd. I don't think anyone broke a 54, and few broke 56. Wind, wind, wind. (That's twice in less than a month that Jeremy edged Mel by 1 stroke in an event Chris & I ran. What are the odds? And if I read the cards correctly, Jeremy won despite getting an "8" on hole #15!).

Regarding the course condition and work there, it's mostly just Chris and myself.....but Travis and Coral have helped with a number of big workdays this year, in which we made tremendous progress pushing back the rough on 3, 13, 15, and 17. Travis was out Thursday and Friday before the tournament, going crazy with the weedeater and grooming the greens on 13, 14, & 16 in particular, among other stuff.

We have conjured up a plan to soften the mound on #18 a bit, so hopefully by next year it, and the wind, will be more reasonable. Stay tuned.

Sweet, sounds good to me. I cant wait to come back and actually play one entire round and not just 9 holes.

I spoke with the Wrights and we are going to try and work out a "cross country" event with Chapin sometime soon. Non-sanctioned. That way we can give away a 12 pack of beer for longest putt on 18.

I saw Alan Beaver lay up on a 25" putt on 18 in the final round. He said it's the shortest layup putt he's had in 20 years..... He then hit a 50' putt from the otherside of the creek on hole 1 so I guess it evened out.

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.

More info to post soon.

Hole-by-Hole totals and averages for the Open Pro division:

http://www.saulsinsurance.com/stoneyhill/hole-averages.jpg

And, most importantly, RESULTS (http://www.pdga.com/tournament/tournament_results.php?TournID=7650) are now posted. Hopefully, correctly.

Glancing through the scorecards there were some interesting items. Most of which don't bear repeating.....8s on #13, #5, or #6, and most scores on #18....but Dain with a 2 on hole #17 (almost impossible on a calm day, let alone a roaring headwind), Zack with the only 3 on hole #5. A star birdie card on hole #10.

So after seeing my game first hand at March Madness and Stoney hill Mike do you think my games getting better minus the #18 disaster?



Man your game is looking GREAT!!! Putting machine and your D on both backhand and forehand has REALLY come around. You're definitely ready for PRO now. We may finish near bottom but you're too consistantly good to play Am. I'm so READY to play some more rounds with you in future. You playing Open at Sayde's? I hope so, maybe we'll get paired together again! You're such a pleasure to play with and you have come a long way from about 4 or 5 yrs ago in Orangeburg where I couldn't hardly get you to talk you would kinda mumble at me! haha!

A star birdie card on hole #10.



That was my card...oh yeah baby! Note: On hole 18 as noted on the data card, there were 2 "10"s on 1 card so that is a little off!

....but Dain with a 2 on hole #17 (almost impossible on a calm day, let alone a roaring headwind)



I was in this group too! He hit it from about 50' behind the first cut on the right, anhyzer roc the whole way into a 25mph headwind! It was sweet and Chris Kilgus and Myself called it from the moment it took flight!

I appreciate the compliments on my game. Ive been working hard and I hopefully it will show with some more tournies. And yeah Im playing pro at Sayde's.

That shot Dain threw in on 17 was sweet. Straight up the gut on a tight anny line and as soon as it was halfway down the fairway both Mike and I called it and knew it was in.

I do talk more now but not nearly as much as you do Mike!!! Lol...im a little more reserved than you are Mike.

And, most importantly, RESULTS (http://www.pdga.com/tournament/tournament_results.php?TournID=7650) are now posted. Hopefully, correctly.

Glancing through the scorecards there were some interesting items. Most of which don't bear repeating.....8s on #13, #5, or #6, and most scores on #18....but Dain with a 2 on hole #17 (almost impossible on a calm day, let alone a roaring headwind), Zack with the only 3 on hole #5. A star birdie card on hole #10.



your results show 2 3's on 5

btw... who was the only bird on 13?

SSA ~57 what would you guess it would be under 'normal' conditions?

probably like 54ish

Stack:

MJ had the other "3" on hole 5. My mistake. Under normal conditions it's not not that rare. Oddly enough, it was mostly a tailwind on that hole Sunday, but the second shot is a slight right turn, slightly uphill, up a fairly tight fairway with about a 30' gap, 20' short of the basket. Presumably, because it's both technical and long, the wind was enough to make it difficult to execute.

For Mike:

One of the 10s on hole #18 was Chris Kilgus. I didn't include his scores in the hole results for simplicity's sake, since he only played half a round.

Among some of hte other crazy things I found on the cards:

Connor Thompson's front nine:

Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ....
Score 3 2 2 2 4 5 1 6 ....

He really tore up holes 1-7....then got a 6 on hole 8, which has no OB? (In his other round his shot a 28 on the front, which is not bad either).

Paul Martinez

Doing rather well with 3 holes left in the round, takes a 9 on hole #18, then a 7 on hole #1.

Oh, and it was Zack Rogers who got on the only "2" on hole #13. And it was an Eagle, as we show hole #13 to be a par-4 (we're not sure about it....we go back & forth as to whether it should be....but it averaged a 4 this weekend).

Noting on these exceptional events that the hole averages, and notes on the exceptional shots such as Zack's & Dain's, are from the Open Pro division only. It's possible some Advanced players or others also grabbed one of those rare birds. I haven't looked that far. I know Connor aced 7.

Stack:

Re: SSA

MJ is probably correct, 54 or a little lower. I think from The Quarry, which was non-sanctioned, with 8 open pros, I roughly calculated or guesstimated SSA at 54 or 55.

1000-rated round was about a 56-57 Sunday. As a 904-rated player myself, who shot well below that, it's hard for me to guess how much the wind inflated the Open Pro scores. (I think they were using a different wind than I was!).

I was certainly hoping for normal conditions so we'd know what the SSA is. Only other factor was that trees had not fully leafed out, so more bad throws were able to sneak through when they'd be knocked down in another few weeks.

By the way, I was almost dead-on on my time estimates. I was in one of the slowest groups and our rounds were almost exactly 3 hours. If our first tee had been on time instead of 10 minutes late, we'd have wrapped up at 6:00.

The Chucktown contingency always representing.
Way to go Wood and Kinkel with dominating wins in their divisions!

Sorry I couldn't make it up for this event. I should have come to cheer on Rick and Trevor, it looks like they needed it. Maybe I will make it to Chapin to applaud the great shots.

The Chucktown contingency always representing.
Way to go Wood and Kinkel with dominating wins in their divisions!

Sorry I couldn't make it up for this event. I should have come to cheer on Rick and Trevor, it looks like they needed it. Maybe I will make it to Chapin to applaud the great shots.



How's it that the folks from the flattest part of the state dominate the hilliest course in the state?

Congrats to Blaine. First win?

The Chucktown contingency always representing.
Way to go Wood and Kinkel with dominating wins in their divisions!

Sorry I couldn't make it up for this event. I should have come to cheer on Rick and Trevor, it looks like they needed it. Maybe I will make it to Chapin to applaud the great shots.



How's it that the folks from the flattest part of the state dominate the hilliest course in the state?

Congrats to Blaine. First win?



Cause the CDGC are ballers! ;)

It seems like we have had a big increase in people moving to Charleston from various places with skills. Some take off for green-er pastures (Kusiaks, Wheels and Garrett to name a few) but most stay and the competition level has grown up like a weed. I have been looking back at results from old Charleston Classics, and nobody was even from Charleston. Now we have over 50 members in our club and it has laid the challenge down to Stepp up or get it handed to you.

We are trying to encourage recreation and juniors to come play with us, but they don't stay Rec for long.

It is a great time to play disc golf.

It is a great time to play disc golf.



When is it not? :D

I haven't thrown a disc since March 30th. :(

I am just about ready though, this has been my longest no throw in 4 years.

The Chucktown contingency always representing.
Way to go Wood and Kinkel with dominating wins in their divisions!





Might've been 3 out of 4 divisions if Garrett had stuck around. He won The Quarry in February and had returned to practice the course.

Connor Thompson's front nine:

Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ....
Score 3 2 2 2 4 5 1 6 ....

He really tore up holes 1-7....then got a 6 on hole 8, which has no OB? (In his other round his shot a 28 on the front, which is not bad either).




Believe me I've heard about that final round for Connor about 25 times since the weekend. He's still smoking mad at himself for acing 7, concluding his round with that 6 on 8 (VERY birdieable hole for him!) and -- then, the icing on the cake -- misadding his score because he only counted the ace as 1 down and not 2 down ... I guess he won't make that mistake again. Also, he's going to be entering all ace pools from now forwards.

I'm glad he shot that well, in those difficult conditions. He had a heavy load on his shoulders, not just trying to represent for the rest of the family that wanted to be there but couldn't -- and also keeping up with the Chucktown crowd!

I just plugged the numbers into our Hole Forecaster used in the design group and scoring spreads are all nice. Hole 16 appears to be a little too easy based on the numbers whether adjusted for gold or blue level players.

I just plugged the numbers into our Hole Forecaster used in the design group and scoring spreads are all nice. Hole 16 appears to be a little too easy based on the numbers whether adjusted for gold or blue level players.



Thanks. Among the Open Pros, a mix of gold & blue players, almost all the holes produced interesting spreads. At least, interesting to me.

16 is probably the easiest hole on the course, but it makes a respite in the hardest stretch. It's a "birdie hole"....for gold players, an easy 2....for blue players, perhaps an expected 2 that frustrates every time it's missed. It's still enjoyable...230', hilltop-to-hilltop, throwing through a window, over an open area, to a green with fairly thick clusters of trees on either side, forcing a straight shot.

Hole 14, considered by us the boringest hole on the course, was the most predictable among the Open Pros, with 70% getting 3s.

This is a private course that is constantly evolving, with moveable teepads and and baskets. Sometimes what works in theory and looks good when we build it, doesn't actually play out as well. Construction of a pond, hopefully beginning soon, will alter 16 & 17 and open up new parts of the property for additional holes, and new hazards.

Hole 16 is nicknamed "Little Brooksville" in honor of the greatest course ever built. If you have ever played both, you'll understand why. And like it's mentor before it, it will soon be gone.

i wouldnt get rid of 16, until you get the pond in. Even then it might still work as a great hole. It is a very nice par 3 hole

Mike:

#16's fate is dependent on the what the pond construction does. Dam will be just left of current basket, so will probably remove the trees on the left of the green, possibly the trees on the right, too. Perhaps the basket will move over to sit on the dam (water to the left, drop-off to the right). Perhaps it will sit on the sloping back side of the dam. We'll see what other possibilities arise.

As I said before, it's fun and we wouldn't get rid of it just for the sake of doing so.

Besides altering 16 & 17, the pond will probably lead us to expanding to 24 or 27 holes.

Thanks for mentioning my 10 again. I laid up to the bottom of the hill with my third shot on 18 and then my next putt hit the dome and rolled into the quarry, my next shot then preceded to roll away, then after trying to lay up again it hit a twig on the hill and rolled away again and then I think I made that next one. If I could get rid of all my roll aways from the Earlewood Classic and Stoney Hill then I would be awesome.

And the knee is fine after a couple of days of rehab and I will see everyone Saturday.

Thanks for mentioning my 10 again. .



Always glad to help. I wouldn't want you to forget it this soon.

Thanks for mentioning my 10 again. I laid up to the bottom of the hill with my third shot on 18 and then my next putt hit the dome and rolled into the quarry, my next shot then preceded to roll away, then after trying to lay up again it hit a twig on the hill and rolled away again and then I think I made that next one. If I could get rid of all my roll aways from the Earlewood Classic and Stoney Hill then I would be awesome.

And the knee is fine after a couple of days of rehab and I will see everyone Saturday.



were you ever close (distance to the basket) when any of them missed and rolled away? and did any roll ob or a ways farther out than you were previously?

i witnessed a couple of your earlewood rolls... crazy yet somehow 'normal' @ earlewood

Haha no when I rolled out I was closer after I rolled so I didn't take the opportunity to go to the previous lie when I rolled ob because my ob roll was now closer and with better wind. I just wish discs didn't roll because it sucks...LoL

Hole 16 is nicknamed "Little Brooksville" in honor of the greatest course ever built. If you have ever played both, you'll understand why. And like it's mentor before it, it will soon be gone.



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

For the record---and no suprise to anyone who was present---Columbia airport recorded highest sustained winds of 31 MPH, gusts of 35 MPH Sunday. Normally it's windier at Stoney Hill, and probably was during the tournament.

Thanks for mentioning my 10 again. I laid up to the bottom of the hill with my third shot on 18 and then my next putt hit the dome and rolled into the quarry, my next shot then preceded to roll away, then after trying to lay up again it hit a twig on the hill and rolled away again and then I think I made that next one. If I could get rid of all my roll aways from the Earlewood Classic and Stoney Hill then I would be awesome.

And the knee is fine after a couple of days of rehab and I will see everyone Saturday.



I was just retelling this story again at Sauls Insurance today!

Thanks, I hope yall are getting a good laugh

Hole 16 is nicknamed "Little Brooksville" in honor of the greatest course ever built. If you have ever played both, you'll understand why. And like it's mentor before it, it will soon be gone.



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



great work... when i played it didnt look quite like this

big props to cleb for finishing

Well, this is the time of year to drop in and play. We've had 6 months to push back the vegetation.....now it starts pushing back at us.

I'll be out at Chapin (Crooked Creek) tomorrow at around 10-10:30 a.m. (ish) if anyone would like to join me for a round! Using it as my lunch break! Played today and course looks AWESOME but couldn't only pull off a 50! It's such an EZ course!

And the knee is fine after a couple of days of rehab and I will see everyone Saturday.



Come visit us sometime and get in a full round of casual play. Winds guaranteed to be milder.

I will definitely some time soon. This school semester is almost over and after that I will have alot more time to get out there.