Rhode Island Course Development

[T.M.DYER]

Hey,

The "No Dig" has been lifted for the course area in Ninigret Park...

We will be moving forward soon...stay tuned for work day details...

It seems the state of R.I. may be stepping into the realm of disc golf in a big way...

The promise of a course laid out inside Roger Williams Park is enticing to say the least...

This park is so full of people on any given nice day...

I wonder if the area that is offered is set back from the normal flow of humanity throughout this very well used park...

I look forward to helping with another Disc Golf Course in R.I....

Thanks,
T.M.DYER

[Matt DeAngelis]

YEAH!!!

[Kevin Silvia]

[I just posted this in the North Smithfield Grand Opening thread, I hope that's not a bad thing to be redundant about this.]

I've been waiting to see the North Smithfield High School course reinstalled, and last week I finally got an email to Kathy at the school, and this is the full conversation. I would love some feedback, some idea of what to suggest to the school. Perhaps the property isn't really suitable any longer for a course, but they've still got some baskets left.

Hi Kathy

Kevin Silvia here. Hopefully you remember me, I graduated in 1991 and currently live in town.

Over the past few years I've become a big fan of disc golf, and have been playing at least once per week during that time.

I'm wondering if you have any news for me on the fate of the NS course? I think I played it only once while it was still a full nine holes, because I'd only just discovered the game. But once I caught on, and while there were only five baskets standing, I probably played the high school course at least fifty times. I used to play the course forwards and then backwards to get nine holes out of it.

Anyway, it would be very nice to again have the convenience of playing right in town. It was a pretty nice course!

Any news would be great, thanks.

Hi Kevin,

I do remember you! I am also happy that you were able to enjoy the Disc Golf course while it was standing. This year we had 4 of the baskets stolen by someone coming on to the property and using what I assume was a hack saw and taking them. I called the police but they were never recovered which was VERY upsetting. We took the others out for the winter and two others have to be put into the ground by the construction company. At this point we have 5 that are portables and will only be out during the school day for physical education classes.

I am not sure what else to do to get it going. I feel terrible that the hard work of a former student ends up being violated and nothing happens as a result. So at this point I don’t know what to tell you.

If you have any suggestions let me know.

Kathy

Kathy, thanks for the reply ... I appreciate it.

I had no idea the baskets were stolen. Last I knew, there was an article in the Breeze about how there was a plan to put it together again. I assumed those baskets were removed by the school in order to reconfigure the course. What a total bummer.

Tell you what, I'll put the word out to the disc golf community (NEFA.org) about what's happened, maybe some of these guys will have suggestions or ideas.

Thanks again for writing back!

Kevin

That would be great! We do have 2 that were taken out for the construction and have not been put back in as yet. We are kind of leery of putting them back in. I have no clue on who these amoral people could be. Thanks for your help in the PR department.

Kathy

Any thoughts? Anybody got a buddy who's mysteriously acquired a few nice baskets with the nice yellow tops?

[John Nolan]

Have shop class make some baskets from raw materials... educational and fun!

[Erik Siersdale]

Are there still holes at North Smithfield and is it worth an hour drive to be able to say someone played disc golf in every state in New England?

[Matt DeAngelis]

I don't think so. Wait another couple months and head down to Ninigret Park in Charlestown, RI. With all 18 holes in place, it is a unique course that offers challenges to every golfer.

[Kevin Silvia]

North Smithfield's course was vandalized.

During construction at the school, they'd removed a few baskets temporarily. I used to play what was left of the course, but one day I arrived to find no baskets at all.

I spoke with the Phys Ed dept at the school, and before they could restore the full nine back to its original state, the five standing baskets were stolen during the night.

As of now there is no course there.

[Brian Russolino]

Hey all...My name is Brian and I found this site just recently.

I am currently looking for investors/cheap land or anything that can help in the creation of an 18-36 hole private course in southeastern CT or RI. I have a MBA and worked in accounting/finance for a number of years, and was laid off over a year ago. I have been dealing poker since searching for the "right" small business opportunity and have decided that a "pay to play" course is my goal. I have a solid business plan in the works, and have some funding lined up. I have also spoken with Jason at marshallstreet and he showed some interest in a possible marshallstreet shop on my site, if I were able to get a course going.

Ideally, I would like to own the land and build a house/shop on property, and live on/maintain the course, organize and run tourny's/leagues etc...

just thought I would introduce myself...

Thanks,
Brian

[Buzzkill]

Hey Brian,

Sounds great, would love to see something like that in the area.

Let us know if you need any help.

Come visit the locals. Wed night league at Ninigrit in Charlestown. Thursday at Borderlands in Sharon, MA.

Greg

[Brian Russolino]

Is what I have read correct, that it now has 17 holes? I never made my way down because an 8 hole course didn't sound worth the drive. I have never played in a tournament or league, just casual rounds with the girlfriend and kids, but I need to play with some people that can point out all my wrongdoings, so I can get better.

What times do you guys tee-off?

[Buzzkill]

Check out the thread here;

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4788&start=60

Looks like they start at 4:30.

[Scott Selders]

maybe you'd like to buy Hyzer Creek. There is a great course, big shed, small cabin to live in. About 3o minutes from Saratoga Springs.

[Ryan Girard]

Hey Brian

Gregger is correct. We do Wednesdays at 4:30, cost is $6. We play a full 18 (we add a temp basket) and it usually lasts til
7:30ish. The back is already getting thick but is definately unlike anywhere in New England.

We welcome all players and can offer tips if thats what you want too. ...We have been starting to seperate the pros/ams with good results, otherwise format is random doubles.

Hope you can make it out sometime

Ryang

[Brian Russolino]

maybe you'd like to buy Hyzer Creek. There is a great course, big shed, small cabin to live in. About 3o minutes from Saratoga Springs.

What is the seller looking for?

Although the linchpin of my idea is the location, with such a lack of courses in the area, a well designed/maintained/operated course would do really well...

[Matt DeAngelis]

Hyzer Creek is ducking out there. It is probably 45 min off the main highway and there is no supermarket in the area...very rural.

[Jeff Wiechowski]

Hyzer Creek is ducking out there. It is probably 45 min off the main highway and there is no supermarket in the area...very rural.

But every tourney is a PARTY!!!!

[Kyle Moriarty]

Has anyone ever tried to talk to Goddard State park about putting in a disc golf course, they have tons of land, lot of open and wooded. It really would be a perfect place for a course.

[Matt DeAngelis]

A 7,000 ft monster is taking shape in RI...
Soon...
Very soon...

[Greg Wintrob]

Yeah Rho Rho.

[Rob Walker]

A 7,000 ft monster is taking shape in RI...
Soon...
Very soon...

Any update?

[Matt DeAngelis]

Willow Valley, not as big of a monster as it could have been, but still a very difficult and rewarding course.

[Rob Walker]

Ahh, I didn't realize that was what you were referring to. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place, but I can't seem to find any updates on Willow Valley. I'll be down in RI for a few days around the 4th, so I was trying to decide where to play.

[Matt DeAngelis]

Hands down, Willow Valley. You will need to contact Norm Fitzgerald to organize play at the course. They will likely have some sort of informal event/league around that time too.

[Rob Walker]

Thanks, Matt. Looks like both Willow Valley and Ninigrete are half an hour away from Wickford, where I'll be staying. Maybe I can pull off a round at both, in between family functions. I'll drop Norm a line. Thanks for getting back to me with the info so quickly.