Greetings All. First time user in need of advice. My son is an Eagle Scout candidate who has chosen for his project the design and installation of a Disc Golf course. As he is 16, he is not exactly at the wealthiest stage of his life and is looking for ideas on how much this project could cost as well as ideas for fundraising via corporate sponsorships, tournaments, etc that others may have knowledge of. I did read on this site somewhere the mention of a matching baskets program. Does anyone know anything about this? Thank you in advance for any help.

First, I wouldn't suggest doing the design part of the project. We've had several Eagle Scouts complete projects as part of existing or developing disc golf courses in the Twin Cities, MN. I doubt just anyone would say they could go out and design a regular golf course. Disc golf course design has gotten much more sophisticated if done properly, at least for courses open to the public where issues like ADA and liability come into play.

I would first find out more about existing courses in the area by talking with Park Depts, disc clubs and those who run leagues, if any. Usually there are several projects that could help improve courses that involve benches, landscaping or signage that are worthy of Eagle projects. Maybe they will also tell you about course expansion or new courses where installation can be part of the project. Good luck with the project and thanks for helping improve our disc golf facilities.

WTHscout,

While I can't suggest fundraising ideas for your son, I'd like to second Chuck's notion that your son will still gain an immense amount of satisfaction and accomplishment from the installation work of a disc golf course WITHOUT doing the actual design work. We've had two Eagle Scout courses go up in my area within the last year (Eastern Pennsylvania) and the design of both suffers greatly. The classic design flaws such as inappropriate length of holes, crossing fairways, tees of adjacent holes too close to the target of the previous, the course bordering other park equipment such as baseball fields, soccer fields, playgrounds etc. seriously detract from the course and almost ensure that the facility will never be used.

Again, while I understand that your son cannot receive help with his Eagle Scout project, because of possible liability issues with a poor design I would encourage you to please consult with the exisiting disc club in your area for design assistance.

Unless things have changed recently, only colleges/universities are eligible for the matching baskets program (http://www.pdga.com/matching_baskets.php).

I have to echo Chuck's post. While I commend your son's enthusiasm and initiative, I can't help but wonder whether he realizes the magnitude of the project he's set for himself. I suggest you have him look at the course design articles (http://circularproductions.com/article_list.phtml) by Disc Golf Hall of Famer John Houck. (I particularly recommend the two "Dear Diary" articles on the course he installed at Garland Scout Ranch (Shreveport, LA), as well as the John Houck Diaries (http://www.pdga.com/msgboard/showflat.php?Board=Other%20PDGA%20Topics&Number=190533&Searchpage=0&Main=190533&Search=true&#Post190533) thread on this message board, outlining the design considerations and decisions he made in preparing a "first draft" of the South Course at the National Disc Golf Center in Augusta, GA.

In the past 2-3 years, there have been several Eagle projects here in the Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC) involving course improvements, including landscaping (erosion control) and pouring a second set of teepads (Cornwallis Road DGC) and installing footbridges (Green Pines DGC; Buckhorn DGC). All of these were much-needed and are very much appreciated by the Triangle area disc golfing community!

The Official Boy Scout materials say this about an Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project:

"While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to your religious institution, school, or your community."
...
"Describe any safety hazards you might face, and explain how you will ensure the safety of those carrying out the project."
...
"Give examples of how you directed the project rather than doing the work yourself."

All of which point to having someone other than the Eagle Scout candidate do the design of the course. The Scout plans the project .

It is good to note that the Eagle Scout Candidate is not expected to do his project unaided. Basically, he plans, coordinates and supervises the project. This includes getting all of the proper assistance, including a "certified" or experienced course designer, money and manpower needed to accomplish the project.

In general, the installation of a completely new full sized course is a mighty big task.

One smaller option that I have seen used in this area is for the Candidate to locate a local church or children's camp that would like to have a nice beginners Pole course. This decreases the costs substantially, helps lower the liability (because the camp takes that on) and helps expose a large number of youth to the game of disc golf. In addition, the design is typically of a more casual/easier nature that may be handled by a Candidate with the help of some experienced disc golfers.

It
In general, the installation of a completely new full sized course is a mighty big task.




As an Eagle myself I am somewhat surprized your son got approval from the board to do such an ambitous project. While making an entire course would be a great project, the fact that so much documentation is required for even a simple project. would make an entire course almost unthinkable. For example I had my troop construct 8 benches from trees that had been sawed down and hauled to a dump. These 8 benched translated to over 50 pages of documentation (although addmitinly there were many pages of just photos). All of the materials were free for this, but having to keep logs of hours, ideas, materials and tools was a task. Even if you get items donated I was required for me to list prices for each thing if I were to purchase them. This went for tools as well. I had to document every screw, nail and screwdriver. Now my district board might have just been very strict, but it was still a very laborious task for somthing so simple.

I would suggest maybe a landscaping project at a local park? Perhaps better ways for water to drain and planting trees for errosion.

In all good luck and be prepared!

E=mc2 (it's all relative)
I disagree with most of these posts as I believe it is relative to your location. I live in an area with few people and fewer golfers and I know it doesn't take a genius to pick a place to throw a disc and install a pole. Now, if you want to hold a super tour or something I would consult someone who cared...but for exposure, recreation, and just plain fun, it doesn't take tens of thousands of dollars or corporate sponsors or course designers or much of anything else. Find a good place to play, get involved in community parks and rec. and drive first..putt last. I believe the important parts are research, P.R., research, and fun. Dont give up because of this much too serious board. A lot of towns throughout the country wouldn't have the courses they have if it wasnt for the Scouts. And to the sans optomistic people on this board, just think, todays Eagle Scout could be tomorrow's Houck.

I used to think like that. Any disc golf course and exposure was a worthy one.

But there is very little value to these crappy 150 foot holes, crossing fairways, tees right next to targets, plays right along baseball fields or soccer fields courses that are going in. They are liability hazards, no one will use them, they will fall into decay, and the targets will likely get stolen. If anything, they just give disc golf a black eye.

So how many players played their first round on these "black eye" courses? It was a course like this that got me hooked and I know this course also was imperative to getting the local beaurocracy to allow for more disc golf in the community. I am sure that most of the golfers in my area are very grateful to the "uneducated" course designers who installed this course, and I would bet these sentiments are echoed in other cities around the country.

I am an Eagle Scout and a former Scoutmaster, Venture Crew Chief, Eagle Advisor, etc. An Eagle Project is supposed to be a challenge given the Candidate's respective age. Basically, the older the Candidate, the more challenging the project. :)

I just recently (as an Advanced Grandmaster) succeeded in expanding a local course and, even with the great crew we had, this was a challenging task. That's why I recommended that the young man consider a recreational level pole course. :cool:

I started playing disc golf in late 1996 at a Pole Course on Ben Delatuer(sp?) Scout Ranch in Colorado. We used "Humphrey Flyers" and the course had some definate negatives (using 20/20 hind sight) but was still a blast. Recreational courses that are well designed (meaning no crossing fairways, etc.) are a benefit in that they encourage new players and youth to pick up the game. Just think how intimadating a 450' hole is to an experienced player, let alone a novice.

I hope the Eagle Scout Candidate doesn't let any of the negative talk unduly discourage him. If he is ready to be an Eagle Scout, I believe he'll take all of the opinions set forth, combine them with his dreams and ambitions, and arrive at a good solution.

In advance, congratulations on earning Eagle. Its a difficult achievement that will be with you all of your life. :D

Coppell Texas course was installed by an Eagle Scout project. He did not have much to work with.

This course is so bad that it is not even listed on the PDGA web page. (and I will not put it there)

Ok, there are 2 good holes.

If you find hole #5, you then go 'Ah is that the basket right there?" It is 50ft away with the pond on one side on the side of a 30-45 Decree hill with a tree line and brushs on the otherside. Basicly you goal is to hit the put or have the disc fall into the pond. (did I mention that this area is not mowed at all so the grass is up to your waist in some places?

The holes that have trees were cut out. BUT the longest hole is just 110ft. Then the Tee box is for the nex hole is next to the basket!!

I had a hard time finding my way around the course. Specially hole 12. (i could see #14 tee box and worked my way backwards)

I did see 2 other guys playing the course, but they had about 5 discs between them.

So, I have to agree with most of the other post and find someone to design the course. A nearby club or course pro my even donate his time.

don't know if this helps, but the Waterworks course here in Des Moines was an Eagle Scout project. I believe he was 15-16 when he did this project. I know that Jon Latch( who also helped design Ewing Park) helped in the design aspect. Austin(the E.S. candidate) raised roughly $11,000 for the project, found a cement co. to donate half the cost of the concrete. There are a ton of options available to get this kind of project done. The best advice would be for your son to get in contact w/ people from the local club. If they are a club that puts in their own courses, they have a lot of valuable info ie: park and rec contacts,cement co. contacts, club members (hopefully) willing to give physical labor,experience,etc. Good luck to your son. Keep us posted.