A city of Pflugerville disc golf course has sparked controversy, a lawsuit and an online petition calling for safety improvements.
“I dare you to go on the Falcon Pointe disc golf course to use the trails for running, jogging or biking while the disc golfers are out there,” Pflugerville resident Matt Alvers saidat a recent City Council meeting. “It’s super scary.”
He said the golf course is designed badly, with places where disc golfers have to throw across the trail that runs through it to hit the baskets that serve as holesand other places where the baskets are too close to homes. He also said players have jumped over his fence tor retrieve their disc and cursed at his young children when they are in the area playing.
Alvers has started on online petition about the disc golf course at change.org that asks for the holes that are on homeowners association property to be removed.
The first nine holes of Falcon Pointe disc golf course are at the city-owned Central Park at Falcon Pointe, 18720 Falcon Pointe Boulevard. The second nine holes of the course are across the street on land owned by the Falcon Pointe Homeowners Association except for a pond that is owned by Travis County Municipal Utility District #15.
March 1, 2022 by Christopher Wiklund in Analysis, Opinion with comments
Gannon Buhr. Photo: DGPT.
The first event of the 2022 Disc Golf Pro Tour is in the books. Drew Gibson and Catrina Allen will be leaving Las Vegas with wins, and we have plenty to talk about, so let’s get to it.
Winner’s Circle
Drew Gibson bags his second career Elite Series win on a series of courses that are almost tailor-made for his game. His last win came in 2019 at the Portland Open on a course that isn’t exactly the polar opposite of what we saw in Vegas but is pretty darn close. Whereas Portland featured these weird plants that have bark and leaves which Gibson had to throw his disc around (can you imagine?!), Vegas featured no such obstacles, which meant we got to watch the Bama and Jordan stamped Destroyers fly.
The knock on Gibson’s game has always been that his putter lets him down, but this weekend it was the difference maker for him. Gibson hit 84% from Circle 1, and an eye popping 45% from Circle 2, the latter number the best at the tournament. And it wasn’t like he went 3-for-7 or something like that from deep: Gibson was 10-for-22 from beyond 33 feet. He was also 4-for-4 on bouncebacks, which meant that even when Gibson made a mistake, he was able to recover and card a birdie.
Catrina Allen was able to hold off Paige Pierce to win by a single stroke in FPO. Allen and Pierce had been tied for the lead after the first round and went back and forth over the course of the tournament, starting the final round tied up. Allen didn’t play perfect golf by any stretch, but two eagles were enough to keep her above water. Pierce played more consistently over all four rounds, in fact she shot an eight under par in every round except the second round. She was also first in fairways hit and achieving circle 2 in regulation. Pretty impressive, so where did Allen separate? Catrina went out of bounds less. She had 8 OB strokes compared to Pierce’s 13. Or, while it’s silly to reduce a four round tournament to a single hole, you could look at the very first hole of the event being the difference maker. On hole one, round one, Allen threw it in from 66 feet, giving her the birdie and the single stroke she needed to avoid a playoff against Pierce.
FPO Is Getting Deeper
The FPO leaderboard is compelling stuff. The top ten featured Kristin Tattar, Eveliina Salonen, Missy Gannon, Hailey King, Ella Hansen, and, of course, Paige Pierce and Catrina Allen.
This group of players is going to include the favorites going into any event over the course of this season. It is worth noting that Henna Blomroos and Kona Panis both missed the cut for the final round, something unlikely to happen again (both because of their talents and because of the lack of cuts at most tournaments).
If there has been a knock on the FPO division that carries any water, it is that the field has not had significant depth, and the gap between Pierce/Allen and the rest of the field was significant. With the return of the Europeans, the rise of Gannon and King, and the impressive 2021 campaign by Ella Hansen, the FPO field is looking exceptionally deep.
Considering this depth and the field’s ever-longer drives, I hope that course design for the FPO field will evolve beyond the “move the tee and slap a new par on it” method (or, at Las Vegas, simply slap a new par on it), to something more akin to what we see at Maple Hill Diamonds, a permanent and intentionally designed course with the top FPO talent in mind.
Gannon the Cannon
Look, if Jamie Thomas can mint a nickname, so can I.
Gannon Buhr has made an impressive opening statement to his sophomore year on tour. Buhr started the final round with a three stroke lead over Gibson, and was nine strokes under par through the first 11 holes but went cold over the final stretch, carding only a single birdie. That stretch left the door open just barely wide enough for Gibson to step through. Gibson shot four under par over the same stretch.
Buhr is an exceptionally talented young man, and at this stage in his career, he is still learning what it takes, both physically and mentally, to win at the highest level. It’s tempting to draw comparisons to Eagle McMahon circa 2017, and sure, it’s not a clean 1:1 comp yet, but there is plenty about Buhr’s game that is reminiscent of McMahon’s style, except for one thing: Buhr has a better sidearm at this stage in his development than did McMahon.
International Flavor
Heading into the weekend there was plenty to be excited for, as is the case at the start of every season, but the return of the international field was tops for many. The FPO power trio of Eveliina Salonen, Kristin Tattar, and Henna Blomroos was back in action together stateside for the first time since the 2019 World Championships. Seppo Paju was back for the first time since early 2020. And, of course, Jacky Chen made his US debut. (For those unaware, Chen won his first ever PDGA event, the 2020 Asia Open, over pros including Philo Brathwaite and James Conrad, debuting with a 1040 rating.) For almost two full years, fans across the world have been waiting to see these players mix it up on tour, and we finally got that this weekend.
Tattar and Salonen landed in the top five. For Tattar, who finished third, this marks 31 straight tournaments where she has ended her weekend inside the top five (and at all but one of those — the 2021 World Championships — she finished on the podium). The last time she missed the top five was 2019 Worlds, where she finished sixth. Salonen hasn’t missed the top five at an events since the 2019 LVC (6th)! If you need a moment to process this information, please feel free to take a breather.
In MPO, Linus Carlsson finished in a three way tie for 17th, and Paju landed in 26th. Chen concluded his weekend way down the board in 82nd place with an understandable but disappointing two-under par.
It’s hard to calculate and understand exactly how much we have lost as fans over these past two years without being able to watch the international players. How many final round battles between Tattar and Allen have we been robbed of?
Stray Thoughts
– Natalie Ryan was tied in third place with Kristin Tattar after one round but was forced to withdraw due to a hamstring injury. Ryan is one of the biggest throwers in FPO and has a tour scheduled out through the end of July. Here’s hoping Ryan is able to heal up and we see more of her on coverage in the coming months.
– I never thought I’d get tired of seeing James Conrad throw it in on 18 at the end of 2021 Worlds, but here we are. Did we forget about Catrina Allen’s shot? Were there no other remarkable shots from the past couple years? I may be in the minority here, but I think we should let that particular piece of content take a breather.
– Among those players who signed new sponsorship deals over the offseason, most looked fairly comfortable with their new, or new-again, plastic. Catrina Allen’s DGA coming-out party was obviously a success; Hailey King’s first outing with Innova was also quite strong. To the surprise of exactly nobody, Ricky Wysocki looked comfortable and at home throwing his Trilogy plastic, if still in need of some polishing. Kona Panis had a less than inspiring debut with her new DD bag, but it’s a long season.
If you’re interested in staying close to home this summer while still enjoying outdoor activities at it’s finest, you might want to consider the local Parks and Recreation facilities some of our communities have to offer.
The city of New Martinsville recently received grants for improvements and additions totaling over $271, 000. While they offer a great swimming facility at Lewis/Wetzel Park, along with a paddle boat pond, ball field and children play area, additional upgrades are on the way. A $6,500 grant from the Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley (CFOV) will be used to fund equipment and materials for a disc golf course at the Park.
In addition a $3,340 grant from the foundations impact program will be used to teach life skills to teens, as the Park and Rec. department teams up with other area organizations to offer it and other courses, like baby-sitting, cooking, and self defense classes over the next several months.
It’s no secret that money is available and the easiest way to obtain it is through grants. A recent visit to New Martinsville by U.S. Senator Shelly Capito and U.S. Congressman David McKinley was encouraging for local business and others seeking funding for projects. Both representatives encouraged applying for funding.
New Martisville Parks and Recreation Director said, “we like to look outside the box for unique programs to offer and ways to improve existing facilities. Grants are one way to secure funding for this to happen.”
The City recently received news that they have been awarded a Transportation Alternatives Grant in the amount of $250,000. With this assistance the community will construct an extension to the biking/walking path, that will be located north of the existing path. The new path will run the entire length of the old airport property.
The bike and shared-use path along the Ohio River will be extended by three-eighths of a mile thanks to the grant. New Martinsville owes special thanks to Bev Gibb for her continued hard work in making the park areas of the community better for not only the residents but visitors as well.
New Martinsville offers much more than walking trails and swimming. They have a nice putt-putt golf course, picnic shelters, ball fields and play areas for children. There is plenty to do with several favorite fishing spots, hiking is close by, and there are several locations for people to just sit and relax.
While New Martinsville is excited for the upcoming changes, the town of Hundred is doing big things as well. Hundred Mayor Chip Goff recently announced the community has been awarded $300,000 for new sidewalks. “A lot of hard work went into this grant and a lot of work still to do with design, but here’s to good things to come. We’re keeping our fingers crossed on our dilapidated structures grant,” said Goff.
The community recently received all new pavement on their walking trail and a new sign has been erected near the entrance to town. Both of these communities are actively at work trying to make their communities better for the residents and entice others to bring business to town.
With all the infrastructure and grant money available, it’s hard to use the same old excuse, “we don’t have the money.” Every community should make their parks and recreation facilities a top priority, they are the life blood of every town and city regardless of their size.
Spring thrives in The Woodlands, where the beauty of nature, art, and culture weave effortlessly throughout the community. Here, green spaces are dotted with art installations and trimmed with walking paths. Pine-lined trails hum with the sound of bicycles. Waterways sparkle with the soft wakes of paddle boards and kayaks. It’s no wonder that The Woodlands’ event calendar is filled with marathons, gatherings of outdoor enthusiasts, and music and art festivals.
Photo provided by Visit The Woodlands
A Run Through The Pines
Do you have your eye set on the Boston Marathon, or looking to challenge yourself with a half marathon? The Woodlands Marathon is set for early March and has historically qualified close to 11% of its registered runners for the Boston Marathon. The flat course winds through the streets of Town Center and finishes on the scenic Woodlands Waterway—giving every runner a photo-worthy finish. Have a runner in the family? There’s no better place to be a spectator than The Woodlands, find a nice tree to picnic under, or a coffee shop to enjoy to cheer on your hero as they run by.
Speaking of heroes, The Woodlands is proud to host the Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas every April. The notoriously grueling race consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run has never looked this tranquil. Athletes get to experience every inch of The Woodlands’ beautiful community. The race kicks off with the swim across Lake Woodlands, and ends with a run along the picturesque Woodlands Waterway across from The Waterway Avenue Bridge.
Photo provided by Visit The Woodlands
An Event You Can’t Miss
Set in Town Green Park, along the scenic banks of the waterway, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival features artwork from nearly 200 juried artists from across the country. This April event—which has been named one of the top five art festivals in the world—offers so much more than beautiful art and a scenic setting. Along with shopping for fine art while enjoying live music, local food, beer and wine, a collection of children’s art activities make The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival a whole-family affair.
Has it been a while since you felt the thrill of a live concert? It’s time to check The Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavillion event calendar! With concerts covering all genres and eras of music, it’s no wonder The Pavillion has been named one of the “Top 10 Outdoor Amphitheaters in the World,” according to Pollstar magazine. Whatever your taste in music, there’s a perfect concert waiting for you in The Woodlands.
Photo provided by Visit The Woodlands
Go Your Own Pace
Adventure is never far away in The Woodlands, and you have countless options to choose from to determine what adventure means to you. It can be as laid back as hopping into a swan-shaped pedal boat for a laughter-filled photo-op, or a quiet morning run along nature-lined paths. You can paddleboard or kayak past restaurants, deciding which of The Woodlands’ chef-driven restaurants you’d like to try next, or escape into nature further south and see the Loch Ness Monster art installation along the banks of Lake Woodlands.
Looking for adventure on dry land? The Woodlands Resort offers two 18-hole courses, featuring rolling fairways lined with towering pines, white sand traps, and sparkling lakes, ready to challenge golfers of every skill level. Leaving the clubs at home? The Woodlands boasts several disc golf courses that offer families a great stroll through nature’s beauty while competing, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company.
Photo provided by Visit The Woodlands
Get Out There In The Woodlands
With the weather warming up, and the days lengthening, there’s no better time than spring to escape to The Woodlands. You may know this destination for its world-class shopping and dining options, but it’s what’s in between all of those places that set it apart from other cities around Texas. Nature’s beauty isn’t pushed to the outskirts of town, it’s woven through every part of The Woodlands.
If you are looking for the perfect vacation to the Colorado mountains, then look no further than Durango, Colorado. Nature lovers, adventure seekers, and history buffs will all feel right at home when they visit Durango.
Located in the southwestern corner of Colorado, Durango is consistently named as one of the best places to visit in Colorado. In winter, people come to Durango to go snow skiing, but don’t worry if that isn’t your thing. There are plenty of things to do in Durango off the slopes!
Boasting a historic downtown, great shops and restaurants, and loads of outdoor activities, Durango is sure to have something for everyone. The former mining town’s most popular attraction is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a scenic train journey through the mountains of Colorado.
Surrounded by majestic mountains and scenic valleys, Durango is the perfect place to enjoy a vacation.
Travelling Jack / Shutterstock.com
1. Ride The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a must-do attraction when visiting Durango.
Felipe Sanchez / Shutterstock.com
Known as “the train,” the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad takes visitors on a scenic journey through the Colorado Mountains on its historic steam-powered locomotives. The 1880s train is listed as a National Historic Landmark, allowing guests to see areas of the Colorado countryside that can only be seen by foot or train.
The winding journey takes you through breathtaking canyons, past glorious waterfalls, and through gorgeous forest land. Routes are offered year-round and vary in length from just over 5 hours to approximately 0 hours.
Be sure to visit the 12,000-square-foot railroad museum in Durango as well to learn all about the history of the railroad system in this area.
Pro Tip: While different classes and styles of carriages are offered, we recommend choosing the open-air carriages for unbeatable views!
Wilson Peak and Sunshine Mountain (Photo Credit: Teri Virbickis / Shutterstock.com)
2. Drive The San Juan Scenic Byway & The Million Dollar Highway
The 233-mile road known as the San Juan Scenic Byway loops around Southwest Colorado through Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, and more before making its way back to Durango.
The most scenic stretch of road, known as the Million Dollar Highway, is from Durango to the hidden gem of Ouray. This section of the San Juan Scenic Byway ascends up three mountain passes, the highest one coming in at over 11,000 feet in elevation.
Pro Tip: Drive this road from south to north for the safest route as you are on the opposite side of the cliffs, and read up on 8 Things To Know About Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway before you go!
Laurens Hoddenbagh / Shutterstock.com
3. Explore The San Juan National Forest
Durango is fortunate to have the San Juan National Forest as its personal playground.
Located just north of Durango, the San Juan National Forest was established in 1905 by Theodore Roosevelt.
While a ride on the Durango and Silverton Railroad or a drive on the San Juan Scenic Byway will take you through the national forest, there is nothing like exploring it in person.
This 1.8-million-acre wilderness is the perfect place to do some hiking, mountain biking, or camping. There are miles of back roads and thousands of miles of trails waiting for you in the San Juan National Forest.
Pro Tip: If you want to camp in this area, consider camping at one of the best campgrounds in Colorado, Little Molas Lake Campground!
4. Visit The Durango Fish Hatchery & Wildlife Museum
The Durango Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum raises over a million fish a year to release into Colorado’s waterways. As the state’s oldest fish hatchery, you can learn all about this process and the conservation efforts when you pay a visit to the hatchery, which is located near 16th Street.
While admission to the hatchery is free, be sure to bring some money to purchase fish food so that you can enjoy feeding the fish during your visit. You can check operating hours for the hatchery here.
5. Walk The Animas River Trail
Enjoy an afternoon out in nature walking the Animas River Trail. The trail, which runs for 7 miles along the Animas River, is lined with interpretive plaques and public art for you to enjoy during your walk.
The trail, which is paved, is perfect for walking, biking, or jogging, and is wheelchair accessible. While walking the Animas River Trail, be on the lookout for fishermen and/or kayakers in the river!
Pro Tip: If you only want to walk a portion of the trail, then choose the section between the Durango Recreation Center and the Highway 160 overpass as this is the most scenic portion.
WorldPictures / Shutterstock.com
6. Explore The Historic Downtown
The town of Durango dates back to the 1880s when it was an important mining town. This history is apparent throughout the historic downtown area. You can see the history in the architecture of the buildings, many of which still maintain their grandness today.
The historic downtown area houses some great boutique shops, lovely cafes and restaurants, and excellent art galleries. Exploring the shops and historic landmarks of downtown Durango is a must during your visit.
You definitely don’t want to miss the Strater Hotel and the General Palmer Hotel. Both of these historic hotels were built in 1890, shortly after the founding of Durango.
RJfin / Shutterstock.com
7. Enjoy Dinner Or A Drink At An 1800s Saloon
Take a step back in time when you visit the Diamond Belle Saloon located inside of the Strater Hotel!
This 1800s saloon will have you thinking you have been transported to the Old West. The wood paneling, long bar, live ragtime music, and costumed waitstaff ensure that you have a truly unique experience during your visit.
The Diamond Belle offers a variety of food to choose from, so you are sure to find something to tickle your tastebuds.
8. Relax In A Hot Spring
There is nothing more relaxing than soaking in a Colorado hot spring. Lucky for you, you can experience this during your time in Durango. Just head 15 minutes north of downtown to the Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa.
The hot spring waters, believed to have healing properties, have drawn visitors to this area for years. The water reaches the surface at 120 degrees, perfect for melting away the stresses of your day.
The resort offers day passes to enjoy the 12 spring-fed pools that vary in temperature. Please check their website for the most up-to-date hours and fees.
Pro Tip: Bring your own towel as the resort charges a fee to purchase one.
Hillcrest Golf Club (Photo Credit: Kara Grubis / Shutterstock.com)
9. Play Golf Or Disc Golf
Durango offers a gorgeous backdrop for a day of golf thanks to its location in the Animas Valley. The gorgeous red San Juan Mountains and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains provide visitors with stunning views to tee off to.
Two popular courses in town are Hillcrest Golf Club and Dalton Ranch Golf Club, both of which offer tee times to visitors.
If you would rather try your hand at disc golf, you can do that during your time in Durango also. Just head to the Fort Lewis College Disc Golf Course, the course at Colorado Timberline Academy, or or Purgatory Resort.
Layne V. Naylor / Shutterstock.com
10. Have Fun On The Animas River
Take a float on the Animas River to get a whole new perspective on the area.
If you are visiting in the summer months, people often ride inner tubes down the river when the water is experiencing low-flow times. You can put your tube in starting at 32nd Street. Just be sure to get out prior to 9th Street to avoid the rapids!
Of course, there are other options for floating the river. You can join a whitewater rafting expedition on the Animas if you are feeling adventurous. This will allow you to experience some of the rapids that the Animas has to offer.
Just take note that whitewater rafting requires participants to be able to sit on the side of the raft and help row.
11. Check Out The Animas Museum
The Animas Museum is housed in a 1904 Animas City School Building and is the perfect place to visit if you want to learn about the history of the area.
The displays inside include a replica of an early 20th-century classroom, historic documents, and photographs telling the history of the Animas area. There are also several examples of pottery, basketry, and beadwork on display.
12. Visit A Local Brewery
Craft and microbreweries have become super popular in Colorado, and this holds true for Durango. During your time visiting Durango, why not try a few and find your favorite? Durango is home to several for you to choose from.
Ska Brewing offers guests a modern tasting room to try their seasonal and flagship brews. Steamworks Brewing serves up its award-winning beer alongside some great pub food in a laid-back, fun atmosphere. Lastly, Animas Brewing Co. is a great family-friendly place to enjoy some beer on their lovely patio.
No matter which one you choose, you are sure to enjoy trying these Colorado-produced beers.
Any time of year is a great time to visit Durango. It doesn’t matter if you want to enjoy the snowy winter or the gorgeous sunny summer, Durango always has something great to offer visitors.
During your time here, be sure to take things slow, enjoy the great outdoors, and don’t be shy to make friends with a local or two. They always have the best recommendations and stories!
Ramona recently had some unseasonably warm weather that set heat records, and I got to thinking about spring and summer a little early. How about you?
When I was a kid, I would sometimes find myself complaining to my mother in the summer, “I’m bored!”
In her wisdom she would tell me, “Just go outside.” When I did, I often found plenty to do.
The warm weather of spring and summer is just around the corner. There are many things to do and look forward to in our town. Just go outside and take a look.
Our very own Ramona American Graffiti Cruise nights start April 14 and will continue every Thursday until September. Funds raised help support the Ramona Senior Center. You can also take a walk down Main Street and explore the incredible murals. That trip will take you past some great shops and eating and drinking establishments that you haven’t visited in a while. The famous PRCA-sanctioned Ramona Rodeo and the Ramona Main Street Parade will bring excitement to town in August.
Did you know that Ramona has some of the best hiking and mountain bike trails in San Diego County? Have you tried the Ramona Trail Challenge? Wellfield Park has new disc golf and horseshoe pits to challenge your skills. When was the last time you played a round of golf at our local courses? Our backcountry roads are two-wheel heaven for motorcycle riders. Of course, you must visit our award-winning wineries while you are out
and about.
Ramona Chamber of Commerce is planning some upcoming community events that childhood memories are made of — and they’re all being held right here in Ramona!
Here’s what we have planned:
• April 9-10, Ramona Open Studios Tour, participating artists’ studios
• May 7, Taste of Ramona, participating food and beverage venues
• July 4, Annual Fireworks Display, 1521 Hanson Ln.
• July 29-31, Ramona Country Fair, 421 Aqua Ln.
• Oct. 14-16, Ramona Motorcycle Rally, 421 Aqua Ln.
• Oct. 28, Merchants Safe Trick or Treat, participating locations
• Dec. 3, Christmas Tree Lighting, Old Town Ramona
Keep up with resources and happenings on the Ramona Chamber Facebook page and the website, ramonachamber.com. Feel free to stop by the office at 1306 Main St. and meet the staff.
It feels like we’ve been locked up too long. We all need to follow my mom’s advice: “Just go outside.” There’s plenty to doright here in Ramona!
After taking her first physical education class last year, senior Grace Lawhorn jumped at the chance to take a class about pickleball this spring.
“I took Frisbee last year, which was really, really fun. It was my first PE class that I’ve taken since middle school, and this is finally the first semester where I’m not completely loaded down with coursework,” Lawhorn said.
Elon University offers a variety of physical activity classes for credit, and this year, pickleball is a popular one. The sport is similar to tennis, where players are set on a badminton-size court and hit a plastic ball back and forth over the net with a paddle. The paddle is about twice the size of a ping pong paddle. Pickleball is becoming more popular in the states as it has now reached 4.8 million players, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
Lecturer in wellness Bryan Hedrick oversees the entire activity course program and is teaching Pickleball/Badminton this semester. Hedrick has spent 18 years at Elon and said he is happy to teach classes that are fun and enriching. Because physical education classes are worth one credit hour, there is some required coursework such as researching the history of the sport and reading articles. However, the class is mainly centered around learning through practice.
“I want them to get exposure and learn through doing, so it’s a very much hands-on activity type class,” Hedrick said.
A student in Hedrick’s class, Lawhorn said she is grateful for the engagement.
“I think it’s really fun to have two times of the week carved out to just go and have fun, and not be in class and not take yourself seriously,” Lawhorn said.
Senior Halley Telaak took a frisbee physical activity class last year with Lawhorn, and she enjoyed it so much that she decided to join Elon University’s club frisbee team. She similarly hopes to join the intramural pickleball team this year with her friends. As a senior, Telaak said the class is a great way to experience her last semester at Elon.
“A few of my friends are in the class and a lot of us don’t have a lot of classes this semester, so what better way to spend our last semester through playing pickleball and to play intramural sports,” Telaak said.
Elon’s physical activity courses vary by semester, but some of the previous offerings include Self Defense, Bait and Fly Casting, Whitewater Canoeing, Golf, Frisbee, Pickleball and Badminton. Hedrick said he hopes to see new sport combos held in the future.
“I’d love to see a hybrid like disc golf, maybe a combo with ultimate and I don’t know, some type of soccer,” Hedrick said. “I think there’s a lot of sports that could hold their weight.”
The City of Carthage is considering a proposal to put a disc golf course at the Ballpark.
Miles Seaborn, a Carthage resident and professional disc golfer, has asked the city to let him install a disc golf course near the walking trail. Seaborn plans to fundraise for the disc golf equipment the city would need.
“There’s a lot of courses in the area, but not in Carthage,” he said. “You have to travel 30-40 minutes outside of Carthage to find one. There’s a big group of golfers in Nacogdoches and a big group in Longview, a big group in Shreveport. I think that it would be something that would be well-served here in the community.”
Seaborn spoke to city commissioners at their December meeting, telling them about the sport’s growing popularity. It’s both easy to do and appropriate for all ages: all you need to do is know how to throw a frisbee at the target.
“One of the benefits to is is there’s no age limit and it’s free,” he said. “I take my kids out. I’ve got 2 and 3-year-olds. I take them out with me all the time. They don’t last the whole time, but they love getting out there and just throwing things in the woods.”
Seaborn said disc golf courses, if they are good, can draw enthusiasts to town. Courses in Nacogdoches and Timpson have also drawn tournaments, which helps the local economy, Seaborn said.
Seaborn’s proposal, which is not finalized, would include nine holes in the woods beside the walking trail. The disc golf course would not cross paths with the trail, but Seaborn said they would use the trail to help people walk to each hole.
“I know that’s something that has been spent a lot of time and money and effort into and the community loves. I don’t want to touch that at all,” Seaborn said of the trail. “Every hole would be designed away from it. There’d be nothing crossing it. It wouldn’t be of any impact to the trail at all.”
The city would not have to do much work in the woods to put in a disc golf course, Seaborn said. He envisions a beginner to intermediate-level course, based on the available land.
“Unlike traditional golf, there’s no limit. Your imagination is not limited,” he said. “You don’t have to clear-cut everything and start from scratch. You literally take whatever land you’re given and you place it in to fit how the land gives it to you. So there’s very minimal impact. If something ever happens and it needs to get pulled out, it gets pulled out and there’s no impact to it. The only thing that it takes to install it is a ground sleeve put in the ground just like fence post. You just pull the targets out of the ground and that’s it. The land will grow back.”
Seaborn said the costs to install a course would be between $5,000 and $6,000, and he would fundraise for everything they would need. City Manager Steve Williams added that the only cost to the city would be a little maintenance to keep things from getting overgrown.
City commissioners said they were open to the idea, but that they’d like to see more finalized plans.
“It’s definitely something I’d like to pursue,” Mayor Lin Joffrion said. “We have the infrastructure there, the space is there, the parking’s there, the restrooms are there.”
Zachary Sprott-Scribner smiles and sprints on to his second lap of a snowshoe 15K at the Paul Smith’s College VIC on Saturday. He was competing in the Adirondack Snowshoe Fest. PSC snowshoers will be traveling to Wisconsin in two weeks to compete in nationals.
(Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)
SARANAC LAKE — Snowshoers plowed through fresh powder, shot disk golf and played in the snow on local trails this weekend as they competed in the Adirondack Snowshoe Fest.
After the 2017 World Snowshoe Championships brought hundreds of snowshoers from around the world to race here, village Trustee Rich Shapiro said a group wanted to keep that excitement for the sport up, so they started the Adirondack Snowshoe Fest. Shapiro and his wife Lindy Ellis, a Franklin County legislator, organized the festival.
The village is considering applying to host the championships again in 2024 or 2025.
Races this weekend were held at Dewey Mountain and the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center.
Dewey Mountain manager Jason Smith said racers ages 15 to 70 competed on Saturday. Some were visitors, some were locals and some were Paul Smith’s College showshoers preparing for nationals competition in Wisconsin in two weeks.
Alissa Van Zutphen, from Delmar, raced at both locations.
“I had it on my bucket list that I had to do three snowshoe races this year,” she said. “I just met my goal by doing this.”
Van Zutphen said she is a recreational runner, not a competitive one. She’s part of the Albany Running Exchange.
Her first time racing on snowshoes was a couple years ago. She thought a 5K snowshoe race called “Brave the Blizzard” would be a good substitute for a 10-mile race in training for a marathon.
“I had wished I had gone on the long run,” Van Zutphen said with a laugh. “It was the hardest thing I ever did.”
Douglas Goodfellow of Plattsburgh waves as he completes his second lap of a snowshoe 15K at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center on Sunday. The race was part of the Adirondack Snowshoe Fest.
(Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)
But she fell in love with snowshoe running. She bought a pair, but after several snow-less winters in Albany, decided to take them out of the closet and run in the North Country.
She said the trails here were “beautiful,” but more “strenuous,” as she was running through deeper snow than she was used to.
The snowshoe festival has been held every year since 2018, with the exception of in 2021, because of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s also grown from snowshoe races to include other snowshoe-related events.
After the races on Saturday at Dewey, the first-ever snowshoe disk golf tournament at the mountain was held. Contestants snowshoed from hole to hole, throwing disks with ribbons taped to them to keep them from getting lost in the deep powder.
On the course, David Gualtieri said he was thankful for the work Eric Moreira put into popularizing disc golf in the area. Moreira designed and helped install the disk golf course on Dewey, as well as the Barkeater course at Paul Smith’s College.
Brittny Doty lands a putt in a disk golf cage on Dewey Mountain while competing in the first snowshoe disk golf tournament on the course on Saturday, part of the Adirondack Snowshoe Fest. Tom Bell looks on.
(Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)
Moreira said he was excited to see the sport grow. When he moved here six years ago he said the only course around was in Plattsburgh. Now, there are eight or nine courses around.
Gualtieri said there’s a learning curve to the sport, but that it’s fun to pick up and play with friends.
“You hear the chains for the first time and you’re pretty much sold,” he said.
There was also a scavenger hunt for kids and “Forest Bathing” sessions where snowshoers could get closer to nature, immersing themselves in the senses of the forest.
Shapiro was encouraged to see the “Campfire snowshoe shuffle” on the first night attended by mostly people from out of town and state. Smith said it was the most well-attended opening event for the festival so far by a mile.
Christine Lennon smiles as she rounds out her first lap of a 15K snowshoe race at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center on Sunday. The race was part of the Adirondack Snowshoe Fest.
(Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)
Cody Sears, right, lines up a drive on the Dewey Mountain disk golf course while Ben Amos eyes up the toss. The two were competing in in the first snowshoe disk golf tournament on the course on Saturday as part of the Adirondack Snowshoe Fest.
(Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)
Issoufou Garba-Hama sprints to the finish line at the end of a 5K snowshoe race at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center on Sunday. The race was part of the Adirondack Snowshoe Fest. Garba-Hama is part of the college’s snowshoe team.
(Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)
David Gualtieri takes a knee as he lines up an aggressive drive on the Dewey Mountain disk golf course while competing in in the first snowshoe disk golf tournament on the course on Saturday as part of the Adirondack Snowshoe Fest.
(Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)
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The City of Carthage is considering a proposal to put a disc golf course at the Ballpark.
Miles Seaborn, a Carthage resident and professional disc golfer, has asked the city to let him install a disc golf course near the walking trail. Seaborn plans to fundraise for the disc golf equipment the city would need.
“There’s a lot of courses in the area, but not in Carthage,” he said. “You have to travel 30-40 minutes outside of Carthage to find one. There’s a big group of golfers in Nacogdoches and a big group in Longview, a big group in Shreveport. I think that it would be something that would be well-served here in the community.”
Seaborn spoke to city commissioners at their December meeting, telling them about the sport’s growing popularity. It’s both easy to do and appropriate for all ages: all you need to do is know how to throw a frisbee at the target.
“One of the benefits to is is there’s no age limit and it’s free,” he said. “I take my kids out. I’ve got 2 and 3-year-olds. I take them out with me all the time. They don’t last the whole time, but they love getting out there and just throwing things in the woods.”
Seaborn said disc golf courses, if they are good, can draw enthusiasts to town. Courses in Nacogdoches and Timpson have also drawn tournaments, which helps the local economy, Seaborn said.
Seaborn’s proposal, which is not finalized, would include nine holes in the woods beside the walking trail. The disc golf course would not cross paths with the trail, but Seaborn said they would use the trail to help people walk to each hole.
“I know that’s something that has been spent a lot of time and money and effort into and the community loves. I don’t want to touch that at all,” Seaborn said of the trail. “Every hole would be designed away from it. There’d be nothing crossing it. It wouldn’t be of any impact to the trail at all.”
The city would not have to do much work in the woods to put in a disc golf course, Seaborn said. He envisions a beginner to intermediate-level course, based on the available land.
“Unlike traditional golf, there’s no limit. Your imagination is not limited,” he said. “You don’t have to clear-cut everything and start from scratch. You literally take whatever land you’re given and you place it in to fit how the land gives it to you. So there’s very minimal impact. If something ever happens and it needs to get pulled out, it gets pulled out and there’s no impact to it. The only thing that it takes to install it is a ground sleeve put in the ground just like fence post. You just pull the targets out of the ground and that’s it. The land will grow back.”
Seaborn said the costs to install a course would be between $5,000 and $6,000, and he would fundraise for everything they would need. City Manager Steve Williams added that the only cost to the city would be a little maintenance to keep things from getting overgrown.
City commissioners said they were open to the idea, but that they’d like to see more finalized plans.
“It’s definitely something I’d like to pursue,” Mayor Lin Joffrion said. “We have the infrastructure there, the space is there, the parking’s there, the restrooms are there.”
