Ninigret Park

Rob Tatro · Post by **Rob Tatro** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:23 pm

Had the chance to play my first ever round at Ninigret Park with Mike D., Timmy W., and Matty B. and I have to say that the course was so much fun and unlike anything else I've played around here. I'd say it's a gem that anyone should try to get out to give a whirl if you like a challenge.

The closest course comparison that I can think of personally would be the Riverhead Field course on Martha's Vinyard (fun, fun, fun). Those of you who have been working on Ninigret have done an incredible job, the stonework alone from the benches, to the walls, to some of the baskets is just inspiring and the variety of shot selection was great. The scenery was just picturesque and it's too bad more of you won't have a chance to play it this weekend ... you would have fun for sure. The front nine kind of leaves you with this feeling like, I can eat this course up, and then after the back nine you feel like, man this course ate me up

I'm not sure how much I liked the mando on hole ?, it made an already difficult hole extremely, extremley hard and just didn't fit into the asthetics of the land IMO. Great work RI crew, can't wait to stop by again after another profitable day at the poker tables @ Foxwoods :wink:

... or maybe a NEFA tourney in the future I hope :thumleft:

Mike Dussault · Post by **Mike Dussault** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:56 pm

Rob is indeed correct, this course is a great surprise. The work that has happened since my last visit is amazing. It is a shame that this course is not going to get the exposure it so deserves due to the conflict.
Besides the cool ocean breeze. I particularly like the use of the relics and military artifacts to give it a distinctive and unique feel. The back nine stretches your arsenal of shots and provides many challenges. I as well feel that the mandatory on the back hole, with the orange post is both unatural and unnecesary. The hole is quite challenging and scenic without the orange pole in the ground that you have to navigate.
Great job on the course guys. I look forward to my next visit to "Li'l Nini".
See you on the links.
Mike :wink:

Ryan Girard · Post by **Ryan Girard** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:25 pm

The mando on the par 5 775' hole 13 has always been a controversy. The story is that the hole was originally designed to play to the left of the pole and there was some bushes that covered the right path. The bushes were removed by someone (?) so the mando was put in to enforce going to the left of the pole. The reasoning to all of this is that making the mando where it is makes it so the golfer cant cut the corner on the shot and go over hole 14s fairway toward the basket. Personally, I've always had something against the "stripper pole", it is unatural. Because the hole is really tough anyways I always thought any shot to the left or right of the pole should count, but the golfer must pass the pole before taking the direct route to the basket.

Jeff LaGrassa · Post by **Jeff LaGrassa** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:27 pm

I found this on another message board:

...so I drive 1hr 35min each way from New Haven CT to Charlestown RI to play this nine hole course called Ninigret Park. Main reason was just to play in Rhode Island. Now as a precursor to my cursing, you must understand that this is one of two "disc golf courses" in Rhode Island, and its the Only one that isn't an "object only" course.

So wtf, I drive to it...no big whup...I get there...nearly duece hole 1 but had a clinker...walk up to hole #2 and Ace the mofo...hoo-the-f-rah....of course no one's around to see it, but that don't confront me none...so I go retrieve my new favorite disc outta dem chains and go on my merry way....

ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT HOLES 3, 4, & 5 are no longer....no baskets, overgrown mightabeen fairways and signs, despite clear, pointed only to oblivion. After stomping, searching, & sulking for like 50 minutes...I gave up...and just played hole 6 and 7 and of course....hole 8 doesn't exist either...9 was there...but in bad shape....

So all in all...on a crappy lil 9 Hole course, I got to play 5 holes...and my ace don't stand cause I couldn't even complete the round. and the skeeters...like humingbirds...Harumph!

Anybody know what's going on with this course?

Mike Connell · Post by **Mike Connell** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:57 pm

Was there a postmark on that missive, Jeff?

Sounds like Ninigret of maybe 5-6+ years past but not the course I played less than a year ago.

--Mike

Jeff LaGrassa · Post by **Jeff LaGrassa** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:05 pm

Mike,

It looks like 'Badger' made that post on Mon Sep 12, 2005. You can click the link in my message to see his original post and the replies.

Mike Connell · Post by **Mike Connell** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 7:36 pm

Sorry, I didn't notice the link.

Very strange....maybe someone who's played the course lately can comment.

--Mike

Ryan Girard · Post by **Ryan Girard** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 9:44 pm

I didnt know this thread was going as I would have updated sooner. A long time ago, Ninigret was a Naval Airfield. Due to this some corrosive material is/was around. The testing has been going on for some time but more testing had to be done, meaning drilling more holes to monitor the soil. The testing area happens to be in the proximity of holes 3, 4, 5, and hole 17. These baskets were removed. For non-locals the new extra holes may be confusing.

It now plays a little differently :shock:

. Play hole 1 and 2, then take an immediate right after hole 2s basket, into the woods and across a bridge, walking to the mound out ahead. This is now hole 3, playing over the road (OB) and to hole 7s basket. From here go behind hole 7 to the road and play from the parking lot/road intersection to hole 6 basket. That was your hole 4. Now the course pretty much plays straight through. Hole 6 is now your fifth hole, hole 7 is your sixth hole etc... After you play hole 7, walk down the road to the right of the fairway to hole 8 ( 7th hole played ). Holes 8 and 9 are straightforward. To get to hole 10, retrack on hole 9 to the path on the left. 10,11(pit is ob),12 are navigatable. On 13 you backtrack then tee off way down the tunnel, this hole is a long 775. 14, 15, and 16 flow well, should be no probs. For hole 17 we have been playing from hole 3s tee, but in the opposite direction at hole 2s basket. Then we play hole 18 after leaving hole 2s basket and we are done. Phew. Guided tours work well too. Sorry whoever you are if you had a bad time, its good to know where you are going.

Felix Harvey · Post by **Felix Harvey** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:57 am

Anybody want to play Ninigret on Satrurday, rain or shine? Diehards unite.

Ryan Girard · Post by **Ryan Girard** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 1:16 pm

I'm not sure if anyone will be out on sat, but we have our makeshift league on sunday at 10. May I suggest trying out Wordens Pond Campground if you haven't played there. Its 5 bucks a day but is easier to follow and doesnt have the nasty rough Ninigret has this time of year, plus its only about 15 min away from Ninigret. I may play Wordens at some point on Sat if its relatively calm.

Felix Harvey · Post by **Felix Harvey** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 2:34 pm

Thanks, I may try Worden's Pond. Hard to say when exactly as I'm gearing this around a family weekend in which I may be able to escape.