Sherwood Oak DGC, Shrewsbury MA

[Dave Jackson]

I'd like to formally introduce a new course in Shrewsbury, MA called Sherwood Oak DGC.
This is a course I collaborated with Jay (Yeti) Reading, the Innova EDGE program and Geoff Partlow of Custom Landscape Creations (Upton, MA) to install last November. The course was funded by the town and is nine holes with processed gravel tee's, Innova 28 chain DisCatchers and tee signs.
The design was to reflect who the course was built for and that was 11-13 year old kids. They utilize the course during their Phys Ed time at school and as well when school is not in session.
The design was important to me as I have not seen courses like this one available to people who are new to the game. It was my goal to design a course that would help beginners learn the game and to have a secret alt/safari layout that players like myself would enjoy.
Most holes range from 160' to 200' with a couple less and more.
When designing this layout, I knew I wanted something easier, more open and requiring less shot shaping than the Maple Hill Red course. I also knew that I did not want to put in a short, flukey, congested course with like 5 or 6 holes like I've seen done before.
The land used winds through ball fields, behind two schools, has an asphalt path on the first 5 holes and the possibility of utilizing various areas as OB to bolster the challenge. It's a pretty easy course for tournament players or avid disc golfers alike.
The course Par is 27.
The nine hole record is 18, set by me. The 18 hole record is 37, set by me. Yes, I missed one.
If you were to play the course as Par 20, I think most people would have a tough time breaking par. If the par was set at 20 and the OB in play that I have in mind, breaking par would be difficult.
If you played the Alt. layout I have in mind, breaking 27 would be a fantastic score and the overall length of the course would nearly double.

The course is behind two schools and is available for the public to play WHEN SCHOOL IS NOT IN SESSION.
POLICE TAKE NOTICE

So I invite you to try this little bunny of a course. 9 holes should take about 30 minutes and offer a few smiles to it's players.
The front 5 are behind the Sherwood School, the back 4 are behind the Oak School (at the southern end of the football field)
There are tee signs, next tee signs and no trash cans, so pack out what you pack in.

I must remind you this course is on school property, is closely monitored by the police and has many locals utilizing the asphalt walking paths that wind through the property as well as the track around the football field. Use your best judgement.
Please don't smoke or have alcohol on your person when you play this course. I don't want anyone to create any problems for the local folks or authorities.
There is a zero tolerance policy regarding shenanigans at this course.

Want to bring mom out for a round of disc golf on mothers day that she will truly enjoy? This is the course to do it. (Unless your mom throws like Paige Pierce)
Same for Dad on fathers day!

Best of luck on playing the course and I hope you all enjoy the course as much as I did designing and installing it.


PS- Geoff and I crushed the installation of this course in a few days. Let me know if we can make your dream a reality...

[Andrew_Bottcher]

Wow, this is just absolutely fantastic! We live about 1/4 mile away (at most) from here, and I had no clue this place existed until Eric O'Connell told me about it last Sat at the Pyramids tourney.

Thanks for getting this built! I am definitely trying this out this week.

[John Rogers]

I am stoked to know that the future of the Juniors divisions is not in shambles (yet) and that you had a part in it all. So thank you!

Can we safely assume any time after 2PM is fair game for the course, then?

[Dave Jackson]

Thank you and I'm excited the word is spreading about this little gem.

I think the schools get released about 2:30-3pm. So I'd wait till then on a weekday. You'll have to feel it out, but please do use the course.

How would people feel about a Junior Clinic happening at this course this summer running 4 consecutive weeks, taught by a couple NEFA Pro's?

It would be an intro to fundamentals, rules and fun.

I've been coaching my sons baseball team this spring and the impact good instruction can have on an athlete is truly amazing. I can't begin to describe it in depth. My ball golf teaching roots are definitely the foundation for the success I'm having with the baseball team.

Do people think there are any parents interested in enrolling their kid in a disc golf clinic?

Low fees. Starter set included. Taught by teachers (who happen to be very successful professional disc golfers).

I've got a 7 year old boy who would probably love to be a part of this, so if there's interest, I'll put it together and host it at Sherwood Oak DGC.

[Andrew_Bottcher]

I personally think that's a really cool idea. I bet I'd have loved it as a 7 year old!


Unrelated question--how do I find hole 1 at this course? What's the easiest way?

[Dave Jackson]

Hole one is located behind the Sherwood School.
It's almost directly behind the middle of the school, right next to the fence where the kids take their recess breaks.
If you find the basketball hoop behind the school, turn your back to the hoop, walk straight ahead till you get to the chain link fence and follow it to the left where the fence ends and you'll see the first tee right there.
From the first tee, you shoot up a slight hill, over a rock type wall to a basket perched under a big oak tree. the second tee is 80' to the right of the first basket following the rock wall towards the football field. The third tee is along the first base side of the adjacent baseball field. Theres a sign pointing you to the rest.

Enjoy

ps- play the asphalt paths as OB for a little more challenge.

[Andrew_Bottcher]

Awesome man! Thanks so much.

Playing this in about, oh, 2 hours. Psyched.

[Jeff Prendergast]

Andrew, after 5 you will walk to the opposite end of the football field. The sign telling you this is on the football field fence and tells you exactly where to go.

[Andrew_Bottcher]

Oh man... that was awesome! We will definitely frequent this course several times a week!

Great job Dave!! Fun little course you've built!

[Jeff Prendergast]

It's getting used. I see more families every time. Today a family of four was leaving as we came. Another father/son combo was showing up with discs as we were leaving. There was a guy doing fieldwork too the whole time. My oldest shot 9 better than last week according to his own scorekeeping while my 4 year old made a 5 in the woods which kept him interested. There was a father/son combo playing tennis and the father asked me to demonstrate what I was doing for him. His kid told him it was disc golf. The kid knew. I'm bringing their bikes next time.

[Andrew_Bottcher]

That's awesome.

I go about 2-3 times a week after work, and I definitely get a lot of confused stares. Did have one lady ask me if I was playing "that frisbee golf thing?"

I haven't seen anyone else playing while I've been out there. But plenty of dog walkers in the fairways!