Devens - The Hill: Devens, MA

Mike Connell · Post by **Mike Connell** » Thu May 18, 2006 2:07 pm

Jon,

Thank you for coming forth with your questions and concerns. John Borelli and others actively working on the course can answer many of your questions but I can help with a few (I hope). I'm not working on the course but I do live fairly close (Gardner) and I probably will be playing the course fairly often.

1-Will I still be allowed to walk the trails where your course is?

No reason not to. DGers are generally pretty friendly and DG is one of the few sports I know of where courtesy is actually mandated by the rules of the game:

801.01 Courtesy
A. Players should not throw until they are certain that the thrown disc will not distract another player or potentially injure anyone present.

Many courses are laid out in public parks and are successful. Mutual respect is the key.

2-My Dog is nice but she is a Lab. Will she be a bother? I am a responsible dog owner and understand that all people rights need to be respected.

Personally, I love dogs but I have seen instances where dogs have been hit by thrown discs (absolutely unintentionally). Again, courtesy rules apply and for the most part your dog should be in no danger.

6-What's the season going to be? Is it all year?

Alot of us play year round but use should taper during the colder months

7-How many people will be using the course? Will the noise affect my quality of life?

I don't know about numbers but in general DG is a quiet, low-impact sport. There may be occasional shouts of joy (Ace!) or expressions of dismay (Damn, I hit another tree!) but hopefully none of this should be a big intrusion for you.

Should there be any incidents, hopefully a word to the wise should be sufficient. If you feel something needs to be said regarding behaviour or conditions, you should feel free to say it. Because of all the work that goes into creating a course, we players feel very protective of it and try hard (and encourage others) not to create conditions where the course might be pulled.

I hope our neighbor relationship gets off to a good start and continues for many years.

Regards...--Mike

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Thu May 18, 2006 4:17 pm

Hi Jon,

Thanks for your interest, and thanks Mike for hitting the highlights. Let me add some more details:

1-Will I still be allowed to walk the trails where your course is?

Yes, since it is public land, it will still be open to everyone. There has been talk of connecting downtown Ayer with a walking path along the fence behind Shriver and Parker School, so we have stayed away from that area. We will be using some of the wider fireroads as fairways, but most smaller trails will be left as is. Even if you do choose to walk along a fairway, golfers will wait for you to pass, no problem. There is a course in the fairly popular and busy Amesbury Town Park (MA) and to my knowledge there have been few, if any, problems.

2-My Dog is nice but she is a Lab. Will she be a bother? I am a responsible dog owner and understand that all people rights need to be respected.

Several golfers bring their dogs with them, so you can say disc golf is a dog-friendly sport. I board dogs in my home and Gemini Dog Training in Littleton will be a sponsor of the course, so I don't think we'll have a problem there!

3-How far up the hill are you going?

We are going all over the hill, but mainly on the NW (?) side closest to the schools and the businesses on Main St. We are staying away from the pond and areas bordering the old landfill. Go herefor a rough outline of the holes:

4-Is The course free or do you pay?

It will be free. Disc golf is driven by volunteers. Eventually we will hold tournaments where there is typically a modest entry fee. We will maintain the course by holding fundraisers and accepting donations.

5-What are you doing with the wood you will cut down? I burn wood that's the reason for the question.

Kathy said we could do anything we want with it. Typical, courses reuse logs for benches, stools, and pathway markers. Woodchips are also used to spread on paths. Volunteers will be given the option of taking some home as long as they lug it out (hint, hint). Actually, most of the trees we have been clearing are saplings or deadwood. Most big trees will stay where they are.

6-What's the season going to be? Is it all year?

Like Mike said, it is a year-round sport, but tapers off once the snow falls.

7-How many people will be using the course? Will the noise affect my quality of life?

A small course like this probably won't bring in that many people. Once it gets established, maybe 5-10 during the week and 20-30 on the weekends? I can only guess. Like Mike said, you may hear the occassional shouts of joy and dismay, and the satisfying "ca-ching" of the disc going into the basket.

If you have a chance this Sat., please stop by and I'll be happy to show you around and let you fling a few discs. I (and hopefully some others!:?: ) should be out there from 9:30 to at least 4 or 5, with a break for lunch somewhere in between. We should be working over near the old antenna tower where the cement pad and broken-down foundation is.

jonnyo62 · Post by **jonnyo62** » Fri May 19, 2006 1:44 pm

Hey Guys. Thanks for your responses. I, am relieved that I can still walk around the Hill. We will try to walk the paths in the golf area on non peak hours so as not to disrupt any action gong on. I mostly will be out after 6 P.M. on most days. The weekends are usually spent doing things around my house so I, am not walking around on those days.

Saturday going to be pretty busy for me ,but I want to come over to say Hi.

From your post on this BB I can tell your good people . I hope you have a successful time in building your course.

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Mon May 22, 2006 5:07 pm

Finished 7 this weekend and started 8. Many thanks to my dedicated crew (me!). :roll:

The brushcutter idea was a bust. Read about it and see two new pix on the blog.

Not sure if I'll get over there this weekend with Maple Hill 1 tourney on Sat. and Memorial Day
cookouts the rest of the weekend. Maybe Monday? PM me if you are free on Sun or Mon.

Rob Walker · Post by **Rob Walker** » Mon May 22, 2006 6:53 pm

Fed my chainsaw on holes 3&4. I didn't realize 7&8 were already started. John, are you going over any night this week?

jonnyo62 · Post by **jonnyo62** » Wed May 24, 2006 1:19 pm

Hey Guys I noticed you have some small hardwood trees you have cut down. If it helps I can cart the hardwood away. Just a suggestion. Also I forgot to mentioned there's lots of wildlife out there. Coyotes ,Deer ,Turkeys, Foxes ,Badgers, and lots of ticks...

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Wed May 24, 2006 2:26 pm

Hi Jon, please leave the wood there for now. We will probably use it to mark fairways or paths. I'll let you know later if we have extra to spare. Thanks!

jonnyo62 · Post by **jonnyo62** » Wed May 24, 2006 2:45 pm

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 12:06 pm

If it is not pouring, I'll be headed over to Devens this Sunday about 9:00. If it is pouring, I'll go over later since it's not supposed to rain all day.

As an added incentive, Brian will have a Segway personal scooter for you to try out at lunch. How cool is that?

Directions here.

Dave McHale · Post by **Dave McHale** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 12:29 pm

segway's are very cool. the Discovery stores in the mall used to have them available for people to give a shot, they're a bunch of fun to motor around on.

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:32 am

No rain in sight, so I'm headed over. Should be there around 9:10.

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:35 pm

Many thanks to StevieB, ArtyG, and ChrisG for helping out today. I really appreciate it.
We now have 10 temp bucket baskets installed.

Quote of the day goes to Arty: "I like to cut things!" :twisted:

Dean Withrow · Post by **Dean Withrow** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:56 am

Sounds like it's coming along nicely John.
Borderland is happy to add a few baskets.
We have 4 Mach ?'s at your disposal.
You just have to pick them up. :thumright:

Our goal is to lend them (long term) until
you're able to replace them with better...,
then on to the next new course.

Let me know your plans for pick-up.
Dean

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:45 am

That is friggin' great, Dean! Thanks! I will email you to set a time for pickup. Yeah baby! Borderland rules.

Rob Tatro · Post by **Rob Tatro** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:37 pm

It was an easy vote John ... thanks for all of your work up there.

Be carefull of what you wish for though - those Mach (?)'s really do host lots of bounce outs. They will motivate you to replace them as quickly as you can I'm sure. Until you can though, curse at them with joy :lol:

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:00 am

I'll be working on Holes 11, 12, and 13 tomorrow (Sunday June 11) if you'd like to come help.

To find me, just walk down that old road that borders the schools and the course about 3-5 minutes. When the woods clear out a bit and you see a big downed pine tree, I should be around there somewhere, maybe up the hill and to the left of 10s bucket. 9AM

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 5:50 pm

Anyone up for a round at Devens, Thur night? 6 or 6:30? No work, all play. 12 holes of delicious trees. Let me know.

Also, we need some bodies for our June 30 Devens Fireworks booth and demo course.

steve · Post by **steve** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:26 am

Hey John, how's the new course coming?
-steve

steve · Post by **steve** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:27 pm

I plan on being there for the 30th; I have 2 skillshot baskets I can bring, and a bunch of Birdies for putting.
-steve

nik · Post by **nik** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:26 am

I am heading out to check out the course for the first time. can't wait to go play.

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 12:05 pm

Cool, Nik. Hope you found the first hole ok. Next time give me a heads up and I'll meet you over there and give you a tour.

Steve, thanks for helping out on the 30th. Anyone else besides Steve, Mike, and Rob going to be able to help? Still looking for some more swag to give out....

June 30th is Devens Disc Golf Awareness Day! Help spread the word. Free fireworks for all volunteers! Top-quality fried dough, corn dogs, and overpriced popsicles for all!

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:13 am

Anyone remember the distances for the putting contest at the MSDGC last year? I was watching the video this morning and it looked like 10, 20, and 30. Or maybe it was 20, 30, 40? It was 10 throws at each distance in 45 sec.

Dave Mourad · Post by **Dave Mourad** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:21 am

McHale ought to know - he's still figuring out what to do with the TITAN.

Best o'luck on the 30th...

Dave McHale · Post by **Dave McHale** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:34 am

honestly I cant remember... I just know I putt better in that contest than I did AT ALL the entire rest of the weekend during the actual tournament

Perhaps the contest segment of the DVD outlined the particulars?

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 5:34 pm

Don't hurt yourself thinking, Dave. :wink:

I'm going to go with 10, 20, 30.

Great News!
Hanscom Federal Credit Union has just become our second official sponsor! Nut received the news today directly from President David Sprague. Thanks HFCU! DDGC loves banks! Two down, sixteen to go. Who's next?! :!:

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 4:51 pm

Devens has now been infected. Check the blog for pictures and words.

FWIW: Putting contests are not the way to go with newbies. They just want to get out there and chuck.

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:48 pm

Meeting Matt S for a modified round or two and some work Tuesday July 4, between 9-10. Look for my blue pickup. If we are not there, just walk in along chainlink fence on right past all the DPW junk and start yelling. You'll find us eventually.

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:23 am

I started hole 14 over the weekend and it's going to be a doozy. After three or four downhill holes you have to head back up at some point and now is the time. You'll definately have to use some course management on this hole. Weenie arms can layup and big arms can go for it but risk off-roading in the woods. BTW, you can blame MattS for stretching this hole out. :cry:

Nik, I think I found some of your things on teepad 2. Let me know if and what you are missing.

I also picked up the four baskets from Borderland. Thanks guys!

John Borelli · Post by **John Borelli** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 7:22 pm

Work, work, work. Sunday 9 am.

I will be driving my truck down the path behind the school, so don't worry if the lot is empty. Please park in lot and walk. When you see my truck, take a right and head up the hill. I'll be around there a good chunk of the day. Who wants to cut down some trees?

T.M.DYER · Post by **T.M.DYER** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:01 pm

John,
Enjoyed reading the thread. Love to talk and see if I could help. Give me a call on the phone 401 789-9005 call anytime.Talk to you soon.

NEFA DISCussion

Devens - The Hill: Devens, MA

Have saw can cut many trees!!!!