hey SoCal...

My name is Ethan Wellin, I'm a high school senior in Indianapolis. I'm excited to say I have been accepted into the Film Production program at USC's School of Cinematic Arts. Its a stretch for my family's budget, but it looks like I am going to be able to attend. Catch is, I'm probably not going to have a car. So I thought I'd ask, how accessible is the local disc golf scene going to be to a college kid with no transportation? Does anyone know if there are a lot of USC students that play, and if any are involved competitively (league, PDGA, etc.)? I saw that a year or two USC had a team at the Collegiate Disc Golf championship, does anyone happen to know the kids that were involved with that (or maybe they've graduated)?

Thanks.
-Ethan Wellin, 28804

I think the USC team at the NCDGC was from the University of South Carolina.

I'm down in north San Diego County, so I can't help you with USC contacts. If, however, you were to come to Cal State University San Marcos, you'd be able to join our new club and play on the course we're installing on campus next summer...

Dude, just go to USC if there is any way possible you can swing it. Don't bring disc golf into the decision making process...not at all! It's a great school and extremely well connected alumni-wise, so you'll have opportunities coming out that only a handfull of schools can match.

I think the USC team was Southern Cal. I also have some info to share with Allen for his CSUSM team and the Collegiate Championships. :)

Ethan,

First of all, congratulations! USC's Film School is absolutely first-class (couple of notable connections are named Lucas and Spielberg) and will give you all kinds of opportunity academically and professionally. That you have been accepted into that very competitive program is to your credit.

The nearest course is Chavez Ridge, which is on the other side of Dodger Stadium from the Harbor Freeway. If traffic isn't bad - a big if - you can probably be at the course in about 15-20 minutes from campus. That does require a car as public transport would take much longer and is not one of LA's strong points.

The car will be the wild card in all of this. Oak Grove, Sylmar and Whittier Narrows are within about 40 minutes of USC, again depending on traffic. La Mirada isn't much further, nor is Long Beach's El Dorado.

Rhett is very right about your process. This kind of opportunity is a rich one for you, one that few are offered. Take advantage of it.

Besides, USC is probably ripe for a disc golf club (if there's not already one). Dig around a bit, look into the ultimate club, and I bet that you can find some people who have played and/or are interested in learning. And odds are that one of them will have a car...

Again, congrats. There are many quality SoCal tourneys over the course of the year (see socaldiscgolf.org) and you'll meet some great folks who would love to play a round with you.

Best of,

Bill Maury-Holmes

Maybe I should've been more clear, but my decision to go to USC is definitely not hinging on disc golf. Trust me, I feel extremely lucky to have been accepted into a program like that, and assuming I can get everything in order financially, etc, I will be attending regardless of the disc golf situation. From an interest standpoint, though, I wanted to look into it... if I could just get to the course once every week or two, and find transportation to the sanctioned tournaments, and maybe toss on the intramural athletic fields at USC during the week, I'm guessing that would be enough get my disc golf fix...

anyway,thanks! I'll be checking back frequently if anybody out there has anything to add.

I think the USC team was Southern Cal. I also have some info to share with Allen for his CSUSM team and the Collegiate Championships. :)



And what would that be?

But back to the point - my comments were meant to be tongue-in-cheek (except the USC referred to IS South Carolina Aiken) - you should go to the University of Spoiled Children if you can - it is a good place for job prospects.

Can't forget La Mirada when you are thinking of LA disc golf.