Growing up in GA and the SE most of life I have driven all over the State and played some pretty sweet courses. When recently back there with the family to see my folks I was stoked to play and witness the IDGC.

Having played most of the courses in the Atlanta area I had a taste of what was around and was excited to see the Steady course and the Jackson layouts and facilities. After a 2 hr. drive from the I-75/Northside Dr. area I arrived at Wildwood Park. I'm one of those people that could care less about whether I'm throwing at Tone Poles/Objects/or Baskets.

After playing the Jackson course I wondered to myself a few things that I hope someone could shed some light on:

Was location picked because the land was donated for that use? If not, and it was granted through various State or County levels why the push to put the INTERNATIONAL Disc Golf Center in GA in the country? Close to USDGC?

What section or people of the PDGA make the decision?

Thanks,
Alex

Just my own somewhat informed conclusion: It was the result of efforts by former PDGA board member and Augusta Sports Council member, Pete May, with help from Brian Graham, current PDGA executive director, who leveraged more than $1M worth of assistance from the county and Army Corps of Engineers.

Concept supplied by PDGA #00003, Dan "Stork" Roddick.

Thanks for the response Terry.

So for roughly 1 MILLION dollars the complex, buildings, baskets, etc. were what came from that money?

Honestly I don't know what lands costs in that neck of the woods these days and if that land is Owned by the PDGA or the Army or County?
I do know the cost of various baskets and the ability to put courses on County land and the strength of volunteer efforts, and don't understand why the PDGA would want it in that location where I imagine the exposure and growth of the sport could be better reflected in places where more people could play the course easily, and learn about Disc Golf and it's prescence Worldwide.

Playing courses where tree stumps are all over the fairway from being cut down is always a downer, although I'm always happy throwing around a disc of whatever variety it may be.
There are just so many prettier places with a variety of views and changing hole variations that could have been utilized with more planning it seems. Granted I don't know how long it took for this plan to come to fruition.

How long was this IDGC in the minds of PDGA Board Members or more importantly discussed to PDGA members before the planning started?

Thanks

Thanks for the response Terry.

So for roughly 1 MILLION dollars the complex, buildings, baskets, etc. were what came from that money?

Honestly I don't know what lands costs in that neck of the woods these days and if that land is Owned by the PDGA or the Army or County?
I do know the cost of various baskets and the ability to put courses on County land and the strength of volunteer efforts, and don't understand why the PDGA would want it in that location where I imagine the exposure and growth of the sport could be better reflected in places where more people could play the course easily, and learn about Disc Golf and it's prescence Worldwide.

Playing courses where tree stumps are all over the fairway from being cut down is always a downer, although I'm always happy throwing around a disc of whatever variety it may be.
There are just so many prettier places with a variety of views and changing hole variations that could have been utilized with more planning it seems. Granted I don't know how long it took for this plan to come to fruition.

How long was this IDGC in the minds of PDGA Board Members or more importantly discussed to PDGA members before the planning started?

Thanks



And we are still paying for that place too. Most players will never even go there either. So far it has been wast in my mind but hopefully that will change in the future.

Been wondering this from the start.

I played it the weekend of Am Worlds 2007. Distances are so mismarked. Yeah I parked a 375' hole with a Spider. Fun course though. But $1,000,000 give me a break unless the road had to be built to get there.

Thanks for the response Terry.

So for roughly 1 MILLION dollars the complex, buildings, baskets, etc. were what came from that money?




The PDGA didn't pay anything for the land, building or baskets! The county provided the land, and paid for the building and a lot of the landscaping. It was an incredible deal for the organization, even if it is in a remote area.

Let's not get this thread off on a crazy tangent.

the pdga does not own the land, either. its the county's. same for the buildings. i believe that officially the idgc is operated by the pdga on behalf of the county

So, if something better came along, 'we' could up and move somwhere a little more central?

The PDGA didn't pay anything for the land, building or baskets! The county provided the land, and paid for the building and a lot of the landscaping. It was an incredible deal for the organization, even if it is in a remote area.

Let's not get this thread off on a crazy tangent.




I'd have to agree that this is a pretty sweet arrangement that is just starting out and only going to get better. Being close to a ball golf Mecca helps create awareness, being close to the USDGC is cool, and it's in a warm weather climate so it can be played and visited all year. I'm looking forward to going down and seeing it soon!

But of course, if someone can come up with something better, I'm sure everyone will be willing to consider it. Until then, I'm grateful for what we got and the efforts by all who made it possible. Thanks all!

TTrue.

Just my own somewhat informed conclusion: It was the result of efforts by former PDGA board member and Augusta Sports Council member, Pete May, with help from Brian Graham, current PDGA executive director, who leveraged more than $1M worth of assistance from the county and Army Corps of Engineers.

Concept supplied by PDGA #00003, Dan "Stork" Roddick.



Where did this 1 Milllion end up going cause that's many, many, many baskets...etc.

If there is any of that money still around which I would think there was...what is being used for?

Brian you could probably shed more light on this than anyone??

Thanks

The International Disc Golf Center is a project that I created in 2003 with Columbia County, Georgia, with assistance from the Greater Augusta Sports Council. The concept was based upon an article written in 1994 for Disc Golf World News by Dan "Stork" Roddick titled "A Mecca for Disc Golf". It described a country club type setting for disc golf, a home for the PDGA and the Hall of Fame and a place where we could consolidate our resources to better promote the sport.

It all began when Charlie Beale, the Parks Director for Columbia County, just north of Augusta, asked me if I would visit Wildwood Park to see if it might be suitable for a disc golf course. I had previously designed and installed a course for another one of his parks and he really liked the sport. When I visited the 1,000 acre lakeside park and saw the land and other amenities, the first thing that popped in my head was Stork's Mecca article, which I had read many years earlier.

The reason that the IDGC is here is because I was able to convince Columbia County to join us in a joint venture to create the facility. Columbia County reserved 120 acres of prime lakefront property at Wildwood Park for us to use. They also earmarked well over $400,000 in sales tax money to construct a disc golf clubhouse on the property and to build the required infrastructure. Our contract with the county requires the PDGA to pay rent in the amount of $600 per month for the 2,700 square foot building and adjoining property, which together are worth in excess of $1.5 million dollars. If you don't think this is a great deal, go see what kind of professional office space and land you can rent in your area for $600 a month. Columbia County's motivation in this investment is the economic impact of visitors to the county and events at the facility. PDGA members will be happy and some surprised to know that we have spent very little of our members money on this project. The vast majority of our investment has come from donations from individuals, clubs and businesses through the IDGC endowment fund and through sponsorships and support from manufacturers Innova, Discraft and the DGA. Check out the list of sponsors in DGWN and thank these people the next time you see them. It is only through their generosity and forward thinking that the PDGA and the sport of disc golf has a permanent home. I hope that our members realize how lucky we are to have the IDGC. PDGA headquarters was previously located in a very small room in Brian Hoeniger's bungalow on Toronto Island in Canada. There are many other well establshed sports who have been around much longer than disc golf, who do not have their own headquarters, much less one with a training and competition complex. Having the IDGC gives the PDGA and the sport of disc golf an enormous amount of credibility. Having it in what is perhaps the worlds most famous golfing city, also doesn't hurt, especially during the week of the Masters Golf Tournament, when there are thousands of media outlets from all over the world in the area looking for human interest stories related to golf.

If anyone out there can convince their community to pony up $1.5 million dollars to build us a disc golf facility, please let me know. We might then consider moving to another city. ;)

Regards,
Brian Graham
PDGA Executive Director

I think the idea is fantastic. I cannot wait to make the trip up. My two year old son keeps yelling, "I want to go to Augusta!"

Thank you so much to everyone who was involved with conceiving, pitching, designing, and constructing this facility. I'm confident that the "country club" aesthetic will quickly take shape and that the facility will be a gem and source of pride for disc golfers for a long, long time.

No matter where the IDGC would be located, at least 95% of all disc golfers would have to make a long trek to get there, so don't cry because it's not in your backyard.

Thank you again to all the do-ers in this sport. And to all that talk about how it could be better: step up and show us your stuff!

I think the idea is fantastic. I cannot wait to make the trip up. My two year old son keeps yelling, "I want to go to Augusta!"

Thank you so much to everyone who was involved with conceiving, pitching, designing, and constructing this facility. I'm confident that the "country club" aesthetic will quickly take shape and that the facility will be a gem and source of pride for disc golfers for a long, long time.

No matter where the IDGC would be located, at least 95% of all disc golfers would have to make a long trek to get there, <font color="red">so don't cry because it's not in your backyard </font> .

Thank you again to all the do-ers in this sport. And to all that talk about how it could be better: step up and show us your stuff!



Denny, I would hope the crying statement was not pointed at myself, if so, I think you need to re-read my posts and realize I'm far from a complainer, just someone who played the IDGC and being a lover of disc wondered a few things about the IDGC.

Brian,
Thanks for the response.
I imagine the course and facilites will come into shape in the future...I also know that playing there in the Winter is a much different visual experience than any other season.

I noticed most trees have a marker on them either reading"Do not cut." or many other have no such label. What is the status on these trees?
I guess the tree stumps in the fairways just got me somewhat depressed considering that I have been witness to many beautiful courses in CO that have lost many trees to Beetle infestation and always love to play courses that look as if minimal impact was made on the land.

Let em fly!!

Brian,
Thanks for the response.
I imagine the course and facilites will come into shape in the future...I also know that playing there in the Winter is a much different visual experience than any other season.

I noticed most trees have a marker on them either reading"Do not cut." or many other have no such label. What is the status on these trees?
I guess the tree stumps in the fairways just got me somewhat depressed considering that I have been witness to many beautiful courses in CO that have lost many trees to Beetle infestation and always love to play courses that look as if minimal impact was made on the land.



Alex,

The development of the IDGC has been a huge undertaking. The facility continues to improve everyday but we still have a very long way to go to get it where we eventually want it to be. As I announced at the Hall of Fame Classic in April, the grand opening did not mark the end of this long journey, it marked the beginning. We now have a great foundation on which to build upon with the building and essential infrastructure. It is now up to the PDGA, its members and supporters to make it what we want it to be. I sincerely hope that it will be a project that never ends and that we will forever be improving and developing the facility.

I often get asked, why we chose to build wooded courses. I even hear sarcastic remarks made by players like, "We 've been trying to get our tournaments out of the woods and in front of spectators for years and now the PDGA is trying to put us back in the woods". My reply to them is that we didn't choose to build wooded courses. There is an old addage in cards that you have to play the hand that is dealt you. We would have loved to have 100+ acres of cleared lush park like land in the middle of a major metropolitan area but that isn't the hand that was dealt us. We were given 100+ acres of thick Georgia forest along the shores of a beautiful lake. There is no way the PDGA could afford to purchase land like this anywhere so we should be very grateful for what we have and work hard to make the best out of it. We have already cleared hundreds of trees and stumps but we still have hundreds more to go. Before any environmentalists get bent out of shape with this statement, let me remind them that pine trees in Georgia are a crop, just like corn in Iowa, wheat in Kansas or potatoes in Idaho. The trees you saw marked with "Do not cut" ribbons are hardwood trees, which we avoid removing at all costs. Pine trees are a dime a dozen and more of them are planted in Georgia every year than are harvested. The U.S. Army corps of engineers has even assisted with the clearing because pine forests have to be thinned about every twenty years or so to prevent forest fires and pine beetle infestation.

Those of you who have built a wooded course probably know how much work it is. Multiply that work times three and imagine trying to accomplish that work with very little help and lots of criticism. We have an association to manage first and foremost so development of the IDGC will take us many years and that is OK as it was always planned to be a long term project. As the designer and builder of several wooded course, I can attest that it normally takes a wooded course about three years to fully mature and begin looking like a disc golf course. The courses at the IDGC are already beginnng to look more like developed disc golf courses and less like baskets in the forest. I hope that our members and visitors to the center appreciate what we have and see the future potential of the facility. No we are not there yet but give us some time and your support and we will get there faster.

Speaking of support, I respectfully ask all readers to click on the link below my signature line and consider making a donation to the IDGC endowment fund. I am honestly a little disappointed with the support, or lack thereof, from some of our sports top players as they have the most to gain from the development of the IDGC and its use to promote our sport and develop relationships with outside sponsors. Invest in our future, support the IDGC!

Regards,
Brian Graham
PDGA Executive Director

I had the pleasure of making it down to the IDGC this past spring. I took part in the PDGA Summit meeting as well as played in the Hall of Fame event. It was an experience that I will tell my children and grandchildren about.

I am 29 and have been playing disc golf for about 15 years. I have played in every Am or Pro Worlds since my first one in 1996 (in Augusta, GA ironically enough). I have done things ranging from a 10 person beginner league to running the Am Worlds. I could not be more proud and inspired by being at the opening ceremonies of the IDGC.

The incredible amount of time, energy, effort, and passion are simply astounding. I was practically grinning from ear to ear the entire weekend because of what this facility and our organization has become. Frankly, I'm jealous that it is located down there and not in my backyard because it is a part of disc sports history.

I already knew most of Brian's above explanation. Does this story sound familiar to any of you? Someone had a great idea, an unbelievable opportunity came before us, we (the PDGA) jumped on it and made it happen, and now we have many non-contributors and nay-sayers second guessing everything from basket placement to how every penny was spent.

Frankly, I feel like its an indirect slap in the face to me and others when you read the constant (negative) criticism that is spewed on this board regarding so many things. Don't get me wrong, I can distinguish the difference between constructive feedback and thankless complaining. No one is above thoughtful, constructive feedback and I highly encourage it because we at the end of the day, the PDGA is a business which needs to survive.

Anyway - I shed a tear or two while listening to Farina speak about Steady Ed at the induction ceremony back in April. He was the reason for the sport we love so much. Enough talking about the IDGC, instead I've got a long, overdue, donation to make to the worthy cause. To quote my buddy's tagline, "What would disc golf be like if everyone who played the sport did the exact same thing that you do for the sport?"


PS - "Big Weekend" - I'm not calling you out as a complainer by any means. You asked some good questions and I'm glad Brian had a chance to tell the true story behind the IDGC. My comments are meant in a general sense.

Thanks again for the response Brian and I appreciate the knowledge I have gained from your posts concerning the IDGC.

Also BIG props to anyone who has anything to do with getting a course put anywhere in the world. The world would be a better place if everyone threw a frisbee everyday.

Peace

----I am honestly a little disappointed with the support, or lack thereof, from some of our sports top players----
WOW...rough statement. Maybe you don't understand what it takes for these guys to become the best in the sport. They are on the road eating Ramen Noodles and sleeping on floors to do it. Its not the PGA tour; we are not creating millionaires. These guys wont be remembered for how much money they made, they will be remembered for the sacrifices they made to become the elite of their time. I know you said some, but they make up a fraction of a % of our org.

----I am honestly a little disappointed with the support, or lack thereof, from some of our sports top players----
WOW...rough statement. Maybe you don't understand what it takes for these guys to become the best in the sport. They are on the road eating Ramen Noodles and sleeping on floors to do it. Its not the PGA tour; we are not creating millionaires. These guys wont be remembered for how much money they made, they will be remembered for the sacrifices they made to become the elite of their time. I know you said some, but they make up a fraction of a % of our org.



Hey there Sjur..let's not crucify Brian for being honest. Of all people in the DG community, with all that he's done for the sport (have you seen his accomplishments (http://www.pdga.com/msgboard/showflat.php?Cat=0&amp;Number=662085&amp;an=0&amp;page=0#Post6 62085) ?) in my mind he's earned the right to speak his mind (whether it's critical or not.)

I've gotten to you know you over the past year or so and am fully aware you bring a lot to the table too..You're most definitely an asset to the DG community as well..

There are so many out there (TDs, course installers and maintenance workers, touring players, etc.) who have put blood sweat and tears into the sport. Take his comments constructively, not personally.

I'm not commenting to start any wars or debates, but both sides to this have merit and should be considered appropriately.

We're all disc golfers.

true...sry for the snap... Brian and I get along very well. Just struck me as strange.

I was at last year's grand opening and played in the HOF tournament, neither of which would have happened if I had not received an email from the lovely Lorrie Gibson, inviting me to attend (on my own dime, of course). I don't think that magical is the right word, but that comes the closest to how I felt that time was. You had me and some other old-timers coming out of the woodwork to be there. I saw some people I haven't seen in 20 years! Playing in the tournament was a distant second to being at the grand opening of the IDGC, although I enjoyed playing in my first tournament in almost 3 years.

As I write this, I can see on my wall two pictures that were taken of me at the event, and I have been able to share the "gospel" of disc golf because of them.

Bottom line: I am planning on attending the 2009 event, and you should make it a priority to attend a HOF Classic event before you get too old (or the HOF members get too old!). If you love DG and the people in it, you should not regret your decision.

re: Why is the IDGC in the wilds of eastern GA? That question reminded me of the story of the Little Red Hen:

"Who will help me find some land?"
"Who will help me find some money?"
"Who will help me find some free labor?"

"Not I"
"Not I"
"Not I"

"Who will take personal pride in what our sport has accomplished?"

"I will"
"I will"
"I will"

"No you won't, since you did not help find the land, the money, or free labor in making the IDGC a reality!"

Good post Bill - right on the mark. I was one of those who crawled out of the woodwork to be there, and it was one of the highlights of my year. It was good to see you and many other folks I hadn't seen in 20 years. I'll be back in 2009 with my son in tow!

It's not as remote as some have described it....perhaps 20 miles outside of Augusta, a city of 200,000 where disc golf was thriving before the IDGC.

As best I recall, it wasn't a choice between Appling and somewhere else. I don't remember anyone or anywhere else clamoring to create a headquarters/disc golf complex at the time. I think the PDGA had a choice between Brian's proposal in Appling, or nothing at all, and chose wisely.

don't complain. it could be located at highbridge. try getting there!

(this is not a personal attack at highbridge or anyone, just an inane observation)

Bill and Riz. seeing you guys made my day. Wish I could have finished out the weekend. Maybe next time.
Chuck and I just finished final Am tee marking last week. The Hedrick course is complete now save for the Am tee pads and a little trimming here and there, and there and there.

Next year, I'll be a spankin' new GM, so I'm looking forward to seeing you again (though by then I'm sure you will be playing SGM :D)