Channahon #11

[Aces and Chains]

That new green on #11 at Channahon is starting to look mighty nice!

And was that a new tree behind tee box #3, or was that there all along? You've done so much work this year Frank, that I'm beginning to think I'm seeing old things as new.........

Wish that worked for you and I.  Lol.

[Frankie]

Well Patrick, I'm thrilled you noticed. It's kinda like telling your woman she's pretty. They like to hear it. The tree has been there a few years, maybe 3. Things will be noticed as they mature.
#11 is coming along but it's going to need water for the summer months. A good portion of the green is weeds.
Hey Patrick!, thanks for noticing!

[Aces and Chains]

So I AM seeing old things as new. Only took me three years to notice that tree......

[Frankie]

Ha ha You noticed! It doesn't matter how long it took. That's funny to me.
A short history. I knew Gary pre my disc golf. We have a common friend, Rick Heye. nicknamed Rocket, for how far he could throw a disc. I don't think many know him. He traveled with Gary to play tournaments. He was an employee of mine, & obviously friends with Gary. I think that was late 80's. So that's when my exposure with Gary started.
I remember Gary running a tournament a month, during summer months. You know what it takes to run a tournament. What Gary did, run the tournament of course, make the trophies, do the merch, get the courses ready, pass out flyer's, get sponsors. It was unreal. I think Jesse did the flyer's. Some of the detail Gary did was spray paint the chains. That's how I got started, with my construction & landscape experience, I would get a list from Gary & get the courses ready. Most of the TD's currently don't do much to get the courses ready for a tournament. I remember a tournament you had at Channahon, you painted the 10 meter circles. That's a little history with getting the courses ready, it started with Gary & the respect I have for him I wanted to help. I need to mention Gary did this while having a full time job.

[Aces and Chains]

One tournament a month, while doing all that prep, marketing, etc. while holding down a full time job is amazing. Totally crazy. How can you not respect a guy like that?

Then again, you amaze me as well. My back hurts just thinking about all the lifting, stooping, carrying, and what-not you must do each day you work out there at Channahon. I couldn't do it. I'd be laid up for months.

Keep up the good work Frank, and thanks for the story. Someday I'd like to sit down with you and just listen to you tell story after story about the old days.

[Frankie]

Thanks a lot Patrick! I was thinking about the history in our area you were talking about. I was looking at our club member list checking out the low pdga #'s. There's a handful, Shawn 5956, Leo 5275, Fern 6808. Flash 7606, Darrin is 11,000 something. Gary is the world book of information. Names that need to be mentioned are Steve M. Roy C. Phil C. Jesse S. There's a guy Rob Ryan? who was big in the day although not local. Gary would be the first one I'd talk to.
I think about it from time to time & it's kind of sad, is the people who put Channahon in. Who are they? I know Gary & Shawn were involved. That would be a project, a written history of our local courses. We have a great bunch of people. I'm thinking about Thor & friends have done at Lockport.

[Goforit]

Pretty cool to see the roots still existing and the youth that takes over. J-Town is full of Disc Golf legends and I'm proud to be able to mix and mingle with some of them. Neat stories by all. Keep up the good work all of you dedicated Disc Golf lovers!! It's very appreciated by many!