After thoughts....
Belle Isle would be a
FABULOUS place to put a course. I've always though it was a great place, but I've never really had anything to
do there, so I really don't go that much. Can honestly say a course on the Island would change that - I'd have a viable reason to be there. It would fill a huge void, and would likely bring in any DG'ers from Windsor, because there is no disc golf in Windsor... or anywhere close for that matter.
Most scenic sunset I've
ever seen leaving a course, driving back over the bridge: the Detroit River in the foreground with the GM/RenCen & the Ambassador Bridge in semi-silhouette with a huge red sun setting
behind it all.
To the event organizers:
Thanks for your efforts! You did well lining up sponsors, getting the word out and creating enough buzz to fill up 19 x 5 player cards or cards or so, and setting a festive atmosphere. I like the shirts and good move getting
Ch 7 News to cover the event. DIdn't see any actual televised coverage or any video I could link up. Hope you raised plenty of money for a course fund.
My biggest beef was with
the course itself. Belle Isle could really use a course, but not
this course. Poor flow from basket to tee with several long walks in between and the lack of
any course map whatsoever is a bad combo.
Baskets tucked tightly next guard trees, or on a tricky slope where rollaways can cost a stroke or two = good. But I'm not a fan of baskets with water or thick brush within 30 ' or so, especially in a windy environment. And when
isn't Belle Isle going to be windy?
IMHO, if someone can land their shot within 15 -20 of a basket, they shouldn't lose a disc. Griplock a shot, throw an understable driver int o headwind, throw a wormburner over water (or even just fail to carry the water) lost disc = fair. People need to know
their game (i.e. when to lay up vs go big or go home). I'm all for obstacles and challenge, but a shot that lands 20 ft from the basket shouldn't be a lost disc, and there was too much of that on the course today.
If the city of Detroit green lights this (and I
really hope they do), get ahold of John Minicucci or Terry Calhoun. A course on Belle Isle will only be a good idea if it's done right. Please be involved, and learn from them.
That being said, you did more than I, and I'll give you an "A" for effort.
:hfive:
I know, it was windy...
