Princeton: Goodnow Park

Jim O'Connell · Post by **Jim O'Connell** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:27 am

Hello folks .... I've been stopping by Goodnow Park every once in a while, usually while my son has soccer practice down the street at Krashes Field. The small course there is no longer playable because of lack of maintenence and ice storm damage. The baskets are no longer marked, so I emailed the head of Parks & Rec for the town asking for a map and asking if they were planning to fix the place up. Here's her reply:

Princeton Parks and Rec. would be very interested in speaking with you. Would it be possible to attend our upcoming meeting in November? (Nov. 10th, 7pm). We have been trying to find a "local expert" on the frisbee golf game since we saw an article this past spring in the newspaper. Admitting that none of us are very familiar with the game - it sounds like we could rebuild this into a great asset for the town. I would also enjoy setting up a league and possibly some lessons/league play for kids in town and would appreciate your guidance or suggestions in this area as well.

I will do some research and see if I can come up with a map. You are correct, there is much damage on the course. If I can't find a map, I may possibly be able to locate one of the former players from town, who may be willing to walk the course with us and help get it marked.

Please let me know if you or any others would be interested in attending our November meeting. We would love to learn more.

Thanks,
Sue Shanahan
Princeton Parks and Recreation

I know Goodnow's a small, kinda strange course, but it's perfect for kids and locals, and if the town is considering spending time and money to restore it, then that can only be a plus for the New England Disc Golf community. While I'm a novice and certainly not the "local expert" they're looking to hear from, I plan to be at the meeting and it would be great if anyone else had a few minutes to spare and could pop in as well. It sounds like they're actively looking for encouragement to make the investment.

Jeff Wiechowski · Post by **Jeff Wiechowski** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:39 am

The PDGA directory has Steve Correa as the contact(with a phone number)

http://www.pdga.com/course_directory/course/goodnow-park

Don't let this piece of Mass DG history go !!!!

Andy Gallerani · Post by **Andy Gallerani** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:57 am

Jim O'Connell wrote:Hello folks .... I've been stopping by Goodnow Park every once in a while, usually while my son has soccer practice down the street at Krashes Field. The small course there is no longer playable because of lack of maintenence and ice storm damage. The baskets are no longer marked, so I emailed the head of Parks & Rec for the town asking for a map and asking if they were planning to fix the place up. Here's her reply:

Princeton Parks and Rec. would be very interested in speaking with you. Would it be possible to attend our upcoming meeting in November? (Nov. 10th, 7pm). We have been trying to find a "local expert" on the frisbee golf game since we saw an article this past spring in the newspaper. Admitting that none of us are very familiar with the game - it sounds like we could rebuild this into a great asset for the town. I would also enjoy setting up a league and possibly some lessons/league play for kids in town and would appreciate your guidance or suggestions in this area as well.

I will do some research and see if I can come up with a map. You are correct, there is much damage on the course. If I can't find a map, I may possibly be able to locate one of the former players from town, who may be willing to walk the course with us and help get it marked.

Please let me know if you or any others would be interested in attending our November meeting. We would love to learn more.

Thanks,
Sue Shanahan
Princeton Parks and Recreation

I know Goodnow's a small, kinda strange course, but it's perfect for kids and locals, and if the town is considering spending time and money to restore it, then that can only be a plus for the New England Disc Golf community. While I'm a novice and certainly not the "local expert" they're looking to hear from, I plan to be at the meeting and it would be great if anyone else had a few minutes to spare and could pop in as well. It sounds like they're actively looking for encouragement to make the investment.

Sounds tailor made for some MSt intervention. It would be great if they fixed this place up, another course in the area can only be a good thing for everyone involved

Adam Goodman · Post by **Adam Goodman** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:21 am

I played Goodnow many many years ago and enjoyed it eventhough I had to make up most of the holes. It's good news that the town would like to get the course back in shape. I think it's a great piece of land for 9 or so holes and hope someone nearby can get passionate about it and put some time in. Wish I could, but it's too far away.

Scott Connell · Post by **Scott Connell** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:06 pm

Definitely unique and worth saving for teens and adults, but I question the feasibility of kids programs there. Some of those fairways are quite steep and rocky.

I'd hate to hear of a child getting hurt trying to negotiate some of those holes.

Jim Bobka · Post by **Jim Bobka** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:39 pm

Yeah, if the town really wants to re-activate that course, it'll most likely go through some safety oriented changes. No pins or tees located on steep precipices, like I know one is.

I played it a couple times years ago as well. It was tough then with all the brush, and it would need a dedicated clean up crew.

Scott Selders · Post by **Scott Selders** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:01 pm

If the course isn't cleaned up-redesigned etc. Baskets upgraded-It should be taken off the PDGA + NEFA course directorys. I've played 105 courses-Goodnow Park was easily the Worst I have played. Big waist of time. Massachusetts has many great courses. Most rank high on my list. This one is a discgrace to call itself a course. When players vacationing in/through Masschusetts stop their when they could be playing Barre Falls etc. is a shame.
I can see the course has potential, but no one has given the course any love in many years. That was also sad to see. A completely run down course in Nefa land.

Ben Calhoun stopped their during his 1000 course journey last year. GP was in his worst 5.

That should be motivation to do something.

Titan Bariloni · Post by **Titan Bariloni** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:45 am

first time I ever saw with my own eye's a disc shatter into piece's after hitting a tree a very old XD dear to my uncle visiting from virginia

he was formally introduced to New England disc golf that day

there is a crew down this way that I am sure is willing to help in some way but I think you should try to gather more locals.
I have heard there is a little population of player's there

and scoontar your right, its a shame not sure might have been land,political issue's before??

its an older course in a fairly good spot. most of us core tully guys used to work close to it but we never knew the real deal about it.
Still don't and some still work close

barre is much better and really never has had the need for a spill over course like buff with hodge's

Princeton is a fairly wealthy town well I throw wealthy around loosely in this economy but it used to be
With last years ice storm I could only imagine what the course and town budget looks like

to my understanding is it the birthplace of jerel davis's disc golf career a top notch Nefa pro
I may be wrong though

just some thoughts on the course

let me rally the crew and see what can be done whats another disc golf task

maybe Nefa could allocate some money for this course, its paid its due's and should already be on the wait list

Jeff Wiechowski · Post by **Jeff Wiechowski** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:12 am

mista3putt wrote: first time I ever saw with my own eye's a disc shatter into piece's after hitting a tree a very old XD dear to my uncle visiting from virginia

he was formally introduced to New England disc golf that day

there is a crew down this way that I am sure is willing to help in some way but I think you should try to gather more locals.
I have heard there is a little population of player's there

and scoontar your right, its a shame not sure might have been land,political issue's before??

its an older course in a fairly good spot. most of us core tully guys used to work close to it but we never knew the real deal about it.
Still don't and some still work close

barre is much better and really never has had the need for a spill over course like buff with hodge's

Princeton is a fairly wealthy town well I throw wealthy around loosely in this economy but it used to be
With last years ice storm I could only imagine what the course and town budget looks like

to my understanding is it the birthplace of jerel davis's disc golf career a top notch Nefa pro
I may be wrong though

just some thoughts on the course

let me rally the crew and see what can be done whats another disc golf task

maybe Nefa could allocate some money for this course, its paid its due's and should already be on the wait list

Be careful Titan, you're almost sounding like a politician....... :roll:

Ken Ostiguy · Post by **Ken Ostiguy** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:11 pm

I made the mistake of traveling out from Warren, MA (W.Mass) to Princeton because I saw it listed on the PDGA directory. What a waste of a trip (course is nonexistant). *Luckily BFD is not far away. Someone should check with the locals as to why is was just left like that. The big warning sign from the police as you enter the course was an indicator of the town's attitude toward the course. Someone knows why it went down. Until something happens with the course, it should be removed from all course directories.

Jeff Prendergast · Post by **Jeff Prendergast** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:54 am

I remember hole 16 being on the edge of a 60 foot drop...If you went over, it took 4-5 minutes just to get to the disc.

15 years ago, a guy named Sonny Cade used to live in the house adjacent to the course in Princeton. If memory serves me correctly, his wife got a job at a local college and they moved to C.Mass for a few years. I think he designed the place. We used to buy his used discs out of a milk crate in his garage. Then they retired back to Cali. I played golf with him in San Diego in the late 90's and he told me he had built even more holes on his own land.

He left Princeton right around the time that DG courses started springing up around MA, and traffic started going elsewhere...that might be why the place fell apart...lack of use coupled with more and more places to play in the area.

15 years ago, I think Princeton was the only public option for disc golf in C.Mass. Back before Buff was built, back when Pyramids was sorta 'invite only.'

There is not a lot of land there. The layout I remember was about as long as an Ace Race course. With the distance of today's discs, I can't imagine a layout that would challenge players enough to get them to go there on a regular basis.

Guy_Lyman · Post by **Guy_Lyman** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 11:00 am

Land is land. I think parties should find out what exact boundaries exist for the land and do up a course. A good course 8-)

I volunteer to help out as it is on my way back home after work.

Titan Bariloni · Post by **Titan Bariloni** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:00 pm

I remember was about as long as an Ace Race course.

I would enjoy a nice short course, I think others would as well

seems like there is enough buzz to get this course back to "par"

I'm with Guy, I am down to help

anybody wanna set up a "WALK Through" for this week

we can all meet and put are noggin's to work

time's,dates, any1????????????

T.M.DYER · Post by **T.M.DYER** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:12 pm

I played this course after a NEFA board meeting at Sunny Cades house...

We played skins on a layout that included holes on both public and Sunny's private land...

There were two aces on successive holes in our group...

It was a billy goat course wedged in on the side of a steep tough rocky hill...

It was fun to play...lots of fairways crossed...and I believe there is a public road with traffic at the bottom of the hill...

Even a short Billy goat course is better than no course...

Jeff Wiechowski · Post by **Jeff Wiechowski** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:55 pm

Jeff P wrote:. The layout I remember was about as long as an Ace Race course. With the distance of today's discs, I can't imagine a layout that would challenge players enough to get them to go there on a regular basis.

Short courses like this is what I learned to play on........ beginners are sometimes intimidated by a 6000+ foot course. This would be a GREAT course to introduce the next generation of players to the game if someone was to give it a little TLC. 8-)

Sean Franchi · Post by **Sean Franchi** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:35 am

with all due respect that is probably the worst piece of earth to put a disc golf course on. it's less than 7 acres. it's steep, slippery, dangerous and a complete joke.every fairway crisscrosses. it is the last place on earth i would bring a beginner to. Princeton has plenty of public lands available and whoever owns those baskets should pull them before somebody gets seriously hurt up there.

Matt Stroika · Post by **Matt Stroika** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:38 am

franch wrote:with all due respect that is probably the worst piece of earth to put a disc golf course on. it's less than 7 acres. it's steep, slippery, dangerous and a complete joke.every fairway crisscrosses. it is the last place on earth i would bring a beginner to. Princeton has plenty of public lands available and whoever owns those baskets should pull them before somebody gets seriously hurt up there.

True that!

Alan MacLean · Post by **Alan MacLean** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:59 am

I think the question is whether it's salvagable or not? It sounds like the P&R crew is up for some revival of the course, so it may be worth some efforts.

I personally learned to play at Pelham, NH which has 9 tiny holes (~150'/ea) and 9 average length holes (~250'/ea). The front 9 (tiny holes) were great to learn on and according to a googlemap I just did, probably takes less than 5 acres of land total. Fairways run next to each other, but a lot of courses do that. None of the fairways overlap.

If the course layout can be changed to eliminate the safety hazard of crossing fairways, it could be worth it. However it sounds like this may be a tough task on a difficult piece of land.

Titan Bariloni · Post by **Titan Bariloni** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:17 am

Matt Stroika wrote:
franch wrote:with all due respect that is probably the worst piece of earth to put a disc golf course on. it's less than 7 acres. it's steep, slippery, dangerous and a complete joke.every fairway crisscrosses. it is the last place on earth i would bring a beginner to. Princeton has plenty of public lands available and whoever owns those baskets should pull them before somebody gets seriously hurt up there.

True that!

this is very true,

so I guess the question is who owns the baskets now??

Jim Bobka · Post by **Jim Bobka** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:19 am

Crossing fairways is the least of concerns at that place. Some areas are very steep, and beginners (especially kids) would have a difficult and dangerous time navigating. It would take a keen eye to rebuild it, that's for sure.

Matt Stroika · Post by **Matt Stroika** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:25 am

I have only been there twice and not in years, but when designing on a course with the amount of elevation this course has, it is nearly impossible to prevent cross over. Think of trying to put in 9 holes where holes 6-10 are at Pyramids. A small error can translate into hitting someone 3 holes from you.

Not sure how salvageable the baskets are. Most of them were in major disrepair 7 years ago.

Titan Bariloni · Post by **Titan Bariloni** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:43 am

should we just go stick a head stone on tee box 1 there?

RIP

Scott Selders · Post by **Scott Selders** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:03 am

The baskets + chains were old + rusty. Maybe salvageable. Doubt it.
Some had tires as baskets.

Jeff Prendergast · Post by **Jeff Prendergast** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:43 am

I think Franchi summed it up well

The place was great for its time. I have very fond memories of driving 20+ minutes to Princeton. That's where I popped my DG cherry. Saw my 1st ace (hole 18, about 90' straight down a hill). We would go there multiple times a week, and we loved it. You could play 3-4 rounds in less than 2 hours. It was all we knew and couldn't imagine anything better.

But, looking back, it had limitations. Space was one issue. We didn't know what the heck we were doing back then so a short course never bothered us, but it's an issue there. 3 different holes played to 1 basket, so at times you'd have to wait while 2 other teeboxes threw to your pin.

Baskets were another issue. At that place, the tire baskets were actually the good targets. I knocked one of the PVC baskets over with a drive once.

titan, go take a look at the place before you begin digging a hole for the headstone...

...but bring the headstone

Adam Goodman · Post by **Adam Goodman** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:28 pm

I actually had a great time last time I was there (~3 years ago). For me it was just a good place to get out of the car and throw some plastic around. Somehow I found the opening to the park, the sign helped. Here are 3 photos I really liked from this park. The second photo is my favorite and it has been my wallpaper for some time.

Jim O'Connell · Post by **Jim O'Connell** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:07 am

This meeting is TONIGHT (November 10th) at 7pm at Princeton Town Hall if any Central Mass. folks are interested in stopping by.

Thanks.

Erik Siersdale · Post by **Erik Siersdale** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 12:25 pm

Do people still play this course, and is it worth an hour drive?

Luke Adolph · Post by **Luke Adolph** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 12:38 pm

Esiersdale wrote: and is it worth an hour drive?

I haven't been there in a year or so but definitely NOT worth a drive. If your going out that way go to Barre instead.

Luke

Sean Curcio · Post by **Sean Curcio** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 8:43 am

I don't know how I missed this thread... This is the course that Jerel and Steve took me to to introduce me to the game of DG. When I started playing this course in 2000 it was a totally different layout. You had to park at Costa's Pizza (where there was a small rack of Lightning Discs for sale) and hole 1 was at the bottom of the hill by the road. As far as I can remember, the course was abandond after the core locals tried to change the layout and add a new set of blue tees. All I know for sure is that it was shortly after that I would go there hoping to find more disc golfers to throw with but there were never any there. I ACTUALLY STOPPED PLAYING because I didn't know where everyone had gone. I have now refound my love for this game and when I went back to see this course last spring I actually cried alittle. We still played a round the best we could but that involved running up the fairway to pick up the basket befor you threw.
I don't know what my point is here but I felt the need to spout off alittle.

Erik Siersdale · Post by **Erik Siersdale** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 10:54 am

After the epic fail that was my attempt at a round here on Monday, finding a number of colored sticks in the ground and only two baskets, I wonder if anyone would take offense if I requested this course be removed from the PDGA website. There is so much overgrown that it looks like it will never be revamped as there are better courses nearby. Having it on the site is a distraction to people who try and play all the courses in Massachusetts only to be sadly disappointed.

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