J-Town Forum

It's been a while since I've been on here. Glad you liked the course. The tee signs are now in the ground and they are very nice.

I think the preferred route is an anhyzer over the water into the gap. There is a mando on the main oak at the opening. From the landing zone it takes some creativity to get the 3. For power players there is a monster anhyzer gap up top. I did here a player parked it for a 2.

I personally think the West Park Chainstars should be moved over to Highland. West Park is a shorter course anyways and easier by today's standards. The old Mach 1's are in good shape but make putting more of a challenge.

Help Illinois Disc Golf and tell your friends. Tournament directors and club members please spread the word.

As October approaches there are a ton of Fall events in Illinois this year.

Just a reminder about joining the PDGA.

This is for NEW members to the PDGA.
Joining on/after October 1st, memberships are extended through the following year. So you get 3 months in 2012 and all of 2013 as a PDGA member. 15 monthes for the price of 12.  This also goes for those renewing that have not been current in the past 5+ years.

Use this link to join or renew your PDGA membership and save $5.00. Select an affiliate club (DISContinuum). Note: You don't have to be a member of DISContinuum to use this option. If you are a member of another club that is an option too. Save the $5.00!!!

http://www.pdgastore.com/Qstore/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=1228369190

J-Town,

    There is a realistic opportunity to host a Pro Worlds in the South Chicagoland Area. If this were to happen it would bring in 2-4 new professional quality disc golf courses to the area. They would be on Cook County Forest Preserve Land and on an old ball golf course.

    There has to be a TD and club willing to run the event. Is anyone interested. I have a lot more info. If so please give me a call or e-mail me.
Brett
847-858-4368
president@discontinuum.org

DISContinuum Presents IOS #51
The Sinnissippi Open
Sinnissippi Park--Sterling, Illinois
Am/Pro B-Tier
June 22nd-Random Draw Doubles
June 23rd-MPO, MA2, & MA4
Player Party-Free Pizza at Air Play Sports
June 24th-All Other Divisions

     The Illinois Open Series Team invites you to the Sinnissippi Open
this weekend. The local player base has done a fantastic job getting
the course ready and it's looking fantastic. The former temporary
holes are now permanent as the course has been expanded to 24 holes.
You will get a chance to play two of the most unique holes in Illinois
which include hole #5 the "island" hole and hole #23 the "cliff shot".
There will be two rounds of 24 holes played with baskets moved
between rounds.

     The Valet Kings are kicking off play on Friday night. There will
be random draw doubles that start at 5:00PM. A round of 18 will be
played. Holes 1 thru 12 and 19 thru 24 will be played. All cash
payouts for top finishers.

     There will be a minimum of $700 added to the MPO payout. All
Amateurs will receive a $15.00 pick your own player pack. Just like
all Illinois Open Series Events there will be lots of CTP's the second
round. Fade Gear has added some nice bonus payouts to winners and
Paragon has provided some excellent first round CTP's.

     Saturday after awards the local disc golf shop, Air Play Sports,
is providing FREE PIZZA. You will find coupons in your player's packs
for discounts on merchandise at Air Play and "beverages" at the
Precinct Tavern right next door. Also note, for those of you in town
on Friday, that is also our FOURTH FRIDAYS in Sterling. Many of the
downtown shops are open and there will be a variety of live music and
local artwork on display. Both Air Play and The Precinct will have
live bands.

    We would like to thank our sponsors DISContinuum DGC, Fade Gear,
Paragon, & Air Play Sports! We hope to see you this weekend. Field is
limited to 96 players each day and we strongly suggest preregistering.
This event has been near capacity several years in a row.

For more information check out www.illinoisopenseries.com

Sincerely,
The IOS Team

Hello,
I am the athletic program coordinator with Manhattan Park District. I am contacting you in regards to implementing a fall disc golf program for our district. I want this program to serve as an introduction to the sport, where participants can learn basic fundamentals. I would like to first target a younger age group...possibly dividing the age group from 6-10 years old and then another group 11-16 years old.  I would like to hold this program on a Saturday or Sunday. I was thinking the 6-10 age groups from 1:00-2:00 pm then the older age group from 2:00-4:00 pm. Please contact me if you know anyone that could instruct this program. I need to know as soon as possible because our fall brochure hits the printer at the end of June.

Thank you for your time and attention,
Katie


Katie Cluckey
Athletic Program Coordinator
Manhattan Park District
kcluckey@manhattanparkdistrict.com
815.478.3324x203 f:815.478.3428

www.manhattanparkdistrict.com

18 Days until IOS #51.  DISContinuum Presents The Sinnissippi Open is going to be a great event. Don't miss it. www.illinoisopenseries.com

Hopefully everyone is making their plans for this event. Rumor has it Sinnissippi Park is now 24 holes. This is one of the top events in Illinois every year.

DISContinuum Presents IOS #51 THE SINNISSIPPI OPEN
AM/PRO B-Tier
June 23--MPO, MA2, MA4
June 24--ALL OTHER DIVISIONS
www.illinoisopenseries.com

2 Rounds of 24 holes. Word has it the 6 temporary holes will be permanently installed prior to this event.

$500 minimum added cash to the Open Division
Bonus Payout Fade Gear Bag for the winners of MA1,2,3 & 4.
Paragon CTP's each day.
Standard IOS CTP's each day.

A Tier this weekend. Go get some!

Please take the time to fill out a survey. I posted on the Facebook page of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County about installing a coure.  They suggested the survey.
http://fpdcc.com/contact/2012-capital-improvement-survey/

I cannot do this. Is there anyone interested? Free free to contact Don. His info is at the bottom.




I cannot do this. Is there anyone interested? Free free to contact Don. His info is at the bottom.
___________________________________________________________________________

Hellp Brett:
    My name is Don Dillon and I am the Chairman of the PDGA Senior Committee. One of our major projects is to get disc golf entered into the individual State Senior Games. Perhaps you have read my postings on the PDGA web pages and the Senior Committee link? The main objective is to interest more seniors in playing disc golf for all the benefits they will receive plus the benefits to the game and PDGA. This is not a drive for PDGA membership, but rather a drive to promote recreational and competitive disc golf. One way to reach these goals is to get disc golf entered into the State Games and the State Senior Games. These are two different organizations with seperate national organizations and national competitions. The difference between the two is that the State Games are open to all ages and the Senior Games are open to those players over the age of 50.
    Illinois does not have State Games but does have State Senior Olympic Games, held each year and open to residents from all over, to include international. These games are held as quantifiers for the bi-annual national championships and offer a great opportunity to get senior players into the games. I have written PDGA State Coordinators about these state games before and published a list of the states with these games and whom to contact. Perhaps you are a new State Coordinator and did not receive this information. As the Illinois State Coordinator, I thought that you might be interested in the conversation I had this morning with the Illinois State Olympic Coordinator. Her name is Deborah Staley at 217-753-0700. She is aware of the disc golf game and would welcome the introduction of the sport to their senior games. The only requirement would be that she would need some person to manage and man the effort as she is the only person in the state office. She tells me that players come from all the surrounding state, more distant states and even international. She had 1400 players last year! As the PDGA State Coordinator, you would be the perfect person to take up this challenge!!!
    Such a challenge would be similar to being a Tournament Director for a PDGA event, except that here the State pays the expenses, you get State sponsored publicity and promote disc golf to a wide population as part of a state and national organization. This would be a great project for a local disc golf club and could be written up in state and national senior publications. Illinois has over 143 disc golf courses and around 599 PDGA players and how many unknown non PDGA players that offer a wonderful resource pool. Such an effort would encourage other seniors to play the game and as such, increase the pool of players for course maintenance and additional courses  or course expansion. There are many benefits in getting more seniors into the game. With the explosion of "Baby Boomers", there is an increasing population to work with.
    I hope you will pick up and run with this opportunity. Please contact Deborah at 217-753-0700. Also, please keep me informed about your efforts and success. 

Don Dillon,
717-761-6895
ddillon1@aol.com

Final IOS this weekend.

I have some extra time this morning so I figured I'd give some info.

I got a call about this project late this summer. Initially this was a 9 hole course. This project was initially funded by a state grant. I'm familiar with this because I've seen quite a few courses get installed this way. There is a point system and the more activities the park adds the more money they get to fund the park. Disc golf is benefitting greatly from this.

When I met with the project manager he stated he wanted the course to be played. The initial 9 hole design was pretty bad. I told him that a 9 hole course would not be played that much with all the quality 18+ hole courses surrounding it. That is when I started talking 18 holes. I explained the land wasn't the best in the area but we could make this the most unique course in Illinois to bring people in. The location off 80/55 is pretty awesome. The park board decided to go with the project. They get some money from the state but decided to use more funds to expand to 18 with 2 baskets. There is nearly $40,000 worth of equipment and labor invested in this course. This is how disc golf should be. Parks are spending $100,000 to $200,000 on those playground areas. This course is being done right from the beginning.

Here are some things that will make it unique. 12 of the holes will have 12 foot circular tee pads. 2 panel tee signs.  2 practice baskets. 2 sets of Mach 5's with # plates. The classic barn red looks awesome! Hole #1 will feature manmade island greens for each pin. Water will come into play on several of the long pins. There will be 2 hanging baskets. They will hang from chains from monsterous oaks. One pin will be installed and elevated inside a stump. One hole will have 2 baskets stacked on top of each other (I've never seen this done). One of the holes will have a pretty nice tunnel to throw down. The hyzer route is going to be blocked off by being creative. It will either be blocked by hay bails or piled wood chips. Although the course is rather flat a few greens will be tough with the manmade berms.

The park itself has some decent land but it's not awesome. There were a ton of restrictions that made it very tough to make a solid course.  Across the road there were ball fields going in. No cutting to any trees due to it being forest preserve property. The wooded area and creek were absolutely off limits. This took away from some really awesome holes with water, elevation, and woods. In the front they are growing native grasses and it took away another great hole. There are 3 pavillions and a walking paths to avoid. The short (silver) pins are intended for brand new and novice players. It's very short and very beginner friendly. The long (barn red) baskets will probably under par to most advanced and pro players. This will be a really good addition to the area. It's going to be very player friendly. There aren't too many places to lose a disc and it won't be that wet/muddy.

I've told this to quite a few people. This course is not championship in terms of difficulty. It will be fun to play and has a decent variety. It will be championship quality in terms of equipment. The signs, pads, and baskets will be top notch!

Please spread the word. New members can now join the PDGA and get October, November, and December plus all of 2012. 15 months for the price of 12. If you played a tournament this past weekend (Oct 1 or 2) and paid the $10 nonmember fee you can use that towards your membership. Call the PDGA to take care of that.