Michigan New Course Updates

[Innovadude]

Awesome Ben, is it marked well enough for someone (ie, me) to just show up and play? I might have some time tomorrow afternoon.

Yes shouldn't be hard. Map is on here, map box there and I will be out there sometime this afternoon myself.

 

[Horsman]

https://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=9516

New course in Belleville, 5 minutes from the Throw Shop, between Ann Arbor and the Detroit Metro Airport.
12 holes- fundraising for a future 18+ permanent layout. Open now- mix of Chainstar and Latitude 64 Pro baskets, mix of cement and grass tees. Located on a former ball golf course and current bar. Please donate when you can, and support the bar when they're open. We're looking to add 3 "pirate pads" today.

Interesting, Im in Belleville for work. Looks like I might have to check it out

 

[The Shide]

Just saw on a friends UDisc app that GR has a new course at Highland Park. Anybody else know anything?

 

[BogeyNoMore]

Petition to resurrect DG in the city of Detroit (Belle Isle)

Apparently there's a push to resurrect Belle Isle DGC.
It was a really nice course was in beautiful location (located on an island/park in the Detroit River, smack between the US & Canada) ...but never reached it's full potential due to budgetary constraints.

With decent concrete tees, regular maintenance, and even basic signage, this could be a great course.

Here's the link to the petition... https://www.thepetitionsite.com/264/739/183/bring-disc-golf-back-to-detroit/

Your support would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ru4por]

Apparently there's a push to resurrect Belle Isle DGC.
It was a really nice course was in beautiful location (located on an island/park in the Detroit River, smack between the US & Canada) ...but never reached it's full potential due to budgetary constraints.

With decent concrete tees, regular maintenance, and even basic signage, this could be a great course.

Here's the link to the petition... https://www.thepetitionsite.com/264/739/183/bring-disc-golf-back-to-detroit/

Your support would be greatly appreciated!

I applaud the effort, but hold little hope that a petition drive has any answers. I am assured that the state is well aware that the disc golf community would love to see the course resurrected, or placed elsewhere on the island. The old ball course, site of the previous disc golf course, is not unusable due to water issues. There is a nice post, on the petition site, by Nick O., explaining this issue.

The DNR and State Park system has been very responsive to disc golf coursse, so perhaps the plight is not dead. I think a decent size group of highly motivated, professional business folks, armed with a killer business plan and a solid proof that the course would be a money maker, for this jewel of the park system, would be a first step. Perhaps DGP course, installation and equipment would be a good selling feature.

There are few around that would love to see this happen more than me, but my pragmatic side is going to keep trekking out to Washtenaw and Oakland county for quality disc golf.

 

[esdubya]

The DNR and State Park system has been very responsive to disc golf coursse, so perhaps the plight is not dead. I think a decent size group of highly motivated, professional business folks, armed with a killer business plan and a solid proof that the course would be a money maker, for this jewel of the park system, would be a first step. Perhaps DGP course, installation and equipment would be a good selling feature.
(

I think that's been a fallacy since the early days of the course. The original group behind it had planned on it being self-sustaining, financially and that never panned out. The fact is no matter how you slice it, this course will cost a lot more than it makes for the foreseeable future. The initial investment is still an unknown, and that has to do with the drainage issues that are prevalent throughout the area of the old golf and disc golf course.

My hope is that it is sold not as a money maker, but as an activity that brings more people into the park, and uses an area that is not currently being utilized. IF these goals are inline with the DNR goals then maybe they can step up and address the base issue of not having a waterlogged course. The person organizing the effort definitely seems motivated and well connected so I have my hopes up. Also planning on walking the property again tomorrow with said individual so I'll let him know my thoughts on what I just wrote.

At the end of the day (and this is just like, my opinion man) the course will only be successful if the DNR takes on the sole responsibility for course maintenance.

 

[ru4por]

I think that's been a fallacy since the early days of the course. The original group behind it had planned on it being self-sustaining, financially and that never panned out. The fact is no matter how you slice it, this course will cost a lot more than it makes for the foreseeable future. The initial investment is still an unknown, and that has to do with the drainage issues that are prevalent throughout the area of the old golf and disc golf course.

My hope is that it is sold not as a money maker, but as an activity that brings more people into the park, and uses an area that is not currently being utilized. IF these goals are inline with the DNR goals then maybe they can step up and address the base issue of not having a waterlogged course. The person organizing the effort definitely seems motivated and well connected so I have my hopes up. Also planning on walking the property again tomorrow with said individual so I'll let him know my thoughts on what I just wrote.

At the end of the day (and this is just like, my opinion man) the course will only be successful if the DNR takes on the sole responsibility for course maintenance.

Good points. And I really agree wholeheartedly. Disc golf courses are not really in a position to make a system money.....I not even sure that the MetroParks are making a killing. With the State Parks having several courses, I am guessing they should have similar expectation for a potential Belle Isle course as they have seen with the other courses. I, of course, have little insight into what the current State Park courses realize, in revenues or what they might expect from a course on the Isle. Glad to hear you are involved, Scott. I am also excited to hear the effort is not more than a folly. If any help is needed, feel free to reach out to me.

 

[apdrvya]

If you don't think it comes down to money and putting a body out there to collect money / police the course for do-no-gooders, you're a fool.
that course was/is a frickin' gem. One of a kind, One in a million..

 

[ru4por]

If you don't think it comes down to money and putting a body out there to collect money / police the course for do-no-gooders, you're a fool.
that course was/is a frickin' gem. One of a kind, One in a million..

I don't think either of us was saying no to P2P. Just that P2P is not going to be a profit generator.

Twas a wonderful piece of property. Rivaled by Toronto Island, IMO.

 

[apdrvya]

I don't think either of us was saying no to P2P. Just that P2P is not going to be a profit generator.

Twas a wonderful piece of property. Rivaled by Toronto Island, IMO.

definitely not arguing that.

My contention is that they don't want to pay someone to be out there. it's another expense for an island that the DNR doesn't really want to be into

 

[esdubya]

If you don't think it comes down to money and putting a body out there to collect money / police the course for do-no-gooders, you're a fool.
that course was/is a frickin' gem. One of a kind, One in a million..

Not sure what you mean by "do-no-gooders". Does the course absolutely need a presence at the pro shop? Not so sure. The park on the whole is pretty safe. I wouldn't be worried at all about vandalism, the non-disc golfers will have no idea what is going on there.

Maybe a slight worry about violent crime? Then again, it's kind of on an island (sorry) from the rest of Detroit, and I'm assuming the disc golf is happening in daylight, and if you've spent any time on the Isle you know of the constant, heavy police presence.

People go there to run, jog, bicycle, picnic, show off their cars.. I really don't think a constant presence at the pro shop absolutely necessary, although it would be an overall good thing. Just that.. whatever you think about Detroit, Belle Isle is different. Only separated by a short bridge but it feels like a different country when you are there.


Man, if I was Discraft.. What a great opportunity for a factory store right there in a beautiful course in the heart of Detroit.

 

[ru4por]

Not sure what you mean by "do-no-gooders". Does the course absolutely need a presence at the pro shop? Not so sure. The park on the whole is pretty safe. I wouldn't be worried at all about vandalism, the non-disc golfers will have no idea what is going on there.

Maybe a slight worry about violent crime? Then again, it's kind of on an island (sorry) from the rest of Detroit, and I'm assuming the disc golf is happening in daylight, and if you've spent any time on the Isle you know of the constant, heavy police presence.

People go there to run, jog, bicycle, picnic, show off their cars.. I really don't think a constant presence at the pro shop absolutely necessary, although it would be an overall good thing. Just that.. whatever you think about Detroit, Belle Isle is different. Only separated by a short bridge but it feels like a different country when you are there.


Man, if I was Discraft.. What a great opportunity for a factory store right there in a beautiful course in the heart of Detroit.

Having spent a fair amount of time on the Island for many years. Picnics, races, fireworks, boat races....it is a far different place now than it has been at any point in my adult life. Honestly, not that it was ever that bad.

The State Parks have a model in place that seems like it would work fine. Police, park rangers and disc golfers should be able to provide for a safe and destruction free environment. Same as about any disc golf course.

I love the Discraft idea, but getting rights to retail discs in a State Park sounds like a lot of hoops to jump through. But, I have seen discs for sale in State Park offices.....I'm not sure who is actually selling them and making the money though.

 

[apdrvya]

I'm speaking from (what I think will be) the DNR point-of-view.

Whether its p2p or not is unimportant.

Not my opinions but (the devils advocate) DNR's POV.

 

[donnyv]

I gotta talk to a dnr rep. Lots of state land by us. I could get a low maintenance course in along outer the boundaries to work. They make it work at Hollywood's with the hunting near the back 6 holes. Those are my favs there

 

[The Shide]

Played the new layout at Winstrom Preserve. There are a couple of different maps floating around, make sure you use the correct one, which we did not.

Also, apparently there is a course in at Highland Park in GR. They are using the old baskets from Riverside. At this point there are only 9 holes in, the other nine will go in next spring.

There is one more new course I played this weekend, but I'm sworn to secrecy for now. It was a bit rough in terms of how the ground was torn up by a Bobcat, but it will be a really good course once it is finished. Stayed tuned.

 

[davetherocketguy]

Played the new layout at Winstrom Preserve. There are a couple of different maps floating around, make sure you use the correct one, which we did not.

Also, apparently there is a course in at Highland Park in GR. They are using the old baskets from Riverside. At this point there are only 9 holes in, the other nine will go in next spring.

There is one more new course I played this weekend, but I'm sworn to secrecy for now. It was a bit rough in terms of how the ground was torn up by a Bobcat, but it will be a really good course once it is finished. Stayed tuned.

How was the new Winstrom layout? I always thought there was a ton of potential with that land if given a decent design...

 

[Future_Primitive]

Got a chance to play a new 18* hole course in Hillsdale this weekend. Hayden Park right near the college has a fairly long and mostly open course with tons of elevation in place. No tee pads yet so the frosty ground made tee shots challenging but the Innova Discatchers (I think, yellow bands) are in place and cemented in. They did recently remove Hole 17 basket as it played too close to an electric fence (hyzer over it) and need to make a plan to replace it. Waiting on word from those involved before posting the course on the site. Going to need to make a map as well as Hole 1 was a little hard to find upon entering parking area.

 

[TimSyl]

New course going in in an under served area of the state...southern MI, Indiana border area. Property is wooded with nice elevation changes. Course has been flagged, baskets will be ordered soon. Assume it will be open sometime early 2018. It'll be a solid course, definitely better than average. More details to come.

 

[davetherocketguy]

New course going in in an under served area of the state...southern MI, Indiana border area. Property is wooded with nice elevation changes. Course has been flagged, baskets will be ordered soon. Assume it will be open sometime early 2018. It'll be a solid course, definitely better than average. More details to come.

WHERE????

The border is like ~150 miles long so...yeah. Inquiring minds want to know

 

[TimSyl]

WHERE????

The border is like ~150 miles long so...yeah. Inquiring minds want to know

You'll find out soon enough. FYI, not very close to you.