Pages

Saturday, January 29, 2011

The course is ready!

The course is looking great thanks to a lot of hard work by Donnie Phillips, Dave James, Dave's friend, and Rob Walker. Good karma awaits you tomorrow!

Donnie shoveled pretty much every teepad over the past few days, Dave and his friend rode snowmobiles up and down several fairways and the road below, and Rob and I walked every fairway and path in snowshoes this afternoon to make walking a little easier for tomorrow. We also dug out two Rec tees on hole 14 and 18. Thanks again for your help, guys.

The snow is a little dense thanks to the warm weather today, so discs shouldn't sink too much, but they will try to disappear on you. See you in 14 hours! Sleep well. I sure will.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Most needed items for the food pantry

Here's a list of the most needed items at our charity, the Devens Loaves and Fishes. Don't forget to bring at least three items on Sunday. Thank you!
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly
  • Baked Beans
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Canned pasta
  • Hamburger Helpers
  • Personal care items
  • Feminine Products
Find them on Facebook.

    Thursday, January 27, 2011

    Ribbons 101

    Just in time for the Ice Cube, I've posted a blog about how to use ribbons on your discs to help you find them in the snow. Check it out and let me know if you have any other hints.

    Fidelity Bank donates some appropriate schwag for the Ice Cube Open

    Michele Kosciak of Fidelity Bank in Shirley just dropped off a bagful of ice scrapers for the ICO.

    Get here early Sunday to get yours! Thanks Michele!

    Doug and John R report that there are 3-ft snow drifts on the course and that someone has already been out shoveling tees. Yahoo!

    Recyled: Fashion secrets for playing in an Ice Bowl

    Here is a blog I wrote before last year's Ice Cube Open that I thought was worth repeating. See you Sunday!

    -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-



    I thought I'd share a few things I've learned about playing in an Ice Bowl and snow in general.

    Dress for success
    Figuring out what to wear for a winter tournament is always a tricky thing. Successfully managing your body's temp can have a definite effect on your performance. Thoughts like "Damn I'm sweating to death" or "Damn I'm freezing my nards off" are just going to distract you.

    There are five time zones you have to worry about for a winter tournament: Pre-game, Round 1, Lunch, Round 2, and Post-game.

    • Pre-game: You have to think about the temperature when you first get there and you are standing around, checking in, and warming up. Getting out of your toasty car can be a bit shocking after a 2-hour drive. I usually overdress during pre-game so that I can warm up and loosen up faster. Hat, mittens, sweatshirt, jacket. For base layers, I wear a wicking performance shirt under a regular short-sleeve t-shirt.
    • Round 1: Next you have to think about getting warmer as you start to play and as the sun climbs. Devens is pretty hilly and when you add in trudging through the snow, you will heat up fast. Wear layers that are easily packable or you will waste valuable mental and physical energy carrying around your jacket and trying to remember which hole you left it on. You don't need the distraction.

      Since I know I will warm up pretty fast, I dress light and wear a sweatshirt and a vest if it is 30 and below, or just the sweatshirt if it's not. I also have a packable nylon jacket I can attach to my bag if there is a wind or breeze. I wear a knit hat or fleece tubey thing that I can wear as a hat or pull down around my neck. Baseball hats don't keep me as warm since I like to keep my ears covered.

    • Lunch: The break presents new issues with your body rapidly cooling down as you sit around and refuel. Now's the time to change your socks and boots and maybe your shirt. It just feels good putting on fresh socks and a shirt. I usually put on a different sweatshirt and sit in the car to get warm.

    • Round 2: Round 2 is the opposite of Round 1. It starts warm and then gradually cools down as the sun sets and the afternoon winds pick up. I wear the same thing and maybe bring along a vest. Overall, I just suck it up the last few holes since I'd rather be a little cold than carry around extra gear.

    • Post-game: Time to change and get out of those wet socks, pants, and shirt. Put on something fresh and you'll feel better instantly. Don't forget to bring a second pair of shoes or sneakers. It's no fun putting warm dry feet into cold wet boots!
    Pants
    I usually wear ski pants. Besides keeping me warm, they repel water and snow and I can pretty much sit or lean against anything without having to worry about walking around with a wet butt. Since it was relatively warm yesterday, I experimented with regular nylon workout pants and they worked out well. They did get a little wet though.

    I'd avoid jeans or any other cotton-based pants. They suck up moisture and by the end of the day you'll be carrying around a couple extra pounds of crusted, frozen snow on your ankles. Not good. Gaiters are also a good idea if you don't have ski pants.

    Shoes and socks
    Before I had my waterproof Seal Skins socks, I used to wear regular cotton or wool socks. Combined with a decent boot, it worked okay, but I always changed socks at lunch and after the event.

    Boots are a no-brainer. Sneakers will suck up moisture and you'll slip and slide all over the place and be miserable. Keep your feet warm and the rest of you will stay warm and you'll play better and have more fun.

    Sunglasses and sunscreen
    Saturday looks relatively warm and sunny, so both sunglasses and sunscreen should be in your bag. With all that snow to reflect off, the sun can be brutal. You just won't notice until Sunday when you wake up with a sunburn and squinty eyes.

    I hope you picked up a few helpful tidbits. Feel free to share any other suggestions by posting below.

    Tuesday, January 25, 2011

    Another reason to bring a few extra dollars on Sunday


    The nice people at Killer B Disc Golf are donating a free AM entry to the Devens King of the Hill tournament in April, as well as a $15 gift certificate to the store. Yay Killer B! You guys are the best.


    This package valued at about $45 will be added to the silent auction, so bid bid bid! Last year's KOH sold out in 48 hrs, so you probably want to get in on this action and not have to worry about it later. I will take phone bids on Sunday for you non-Ice Cubers. Just call 978-433-6133 and leave a message.

    Justin Anderson has also donated a free entry to his Burlington Blizzard Ice Bowl February 19. Sweet!

    Pre-ICO Snow Prep
    I'm also looking for a few snow-stomping volunteers to help prep the course Friday or Saturday (whenever it decides to stop snowing). We'll walk the course in snowshoes, make some paths, and shovel tees.

    Let me know if you can help. Sounds like the most fun ever! It'll no doubt be like this:

    Monday, January 24, 2011

    Five spots remain for the ICO. More prizes donated!

    Two more entries came in this weekend, so five spots remain. Don't be afraid of the snow - 62 other golfers aren't!
    Check back later for cold-weather-playing tips and learn how to NOT lose your disc in the snow.

    Friday, January 21, 2011

    Win one of these beauties in the Ring of Ice

    These two special tye-dye Ice Bowl Katanas will be up for grabs in the Ring of Ice after round two of the Ice Cube Open. Like last year, we will have two groups (Pro/AM1 and AM2/Rec) competing separately so you all have a good chance at winning. Now just start practicing your pressure putting!


    A Ring of Ice, better known as a Ring of Fire, is a putting contest where golfers line up behind a pre-defined line that circles a basket. On the count of 3, everyone putts and mayhem ensues with discs crashing into each other while others get knocked in and out of the basket.

    Whoever gets it in then goes again until only one competitor remains. If no one makes the putt at any stage, we start over and everyone gets another chance. It is pretty fun and can sometimes last a few rounds. So, if you miss on the first round, don't give up; you'll probably get to try again!

    Thursday, January 20, 2011

    Need a partner?

    Drew McManus is looking for a partner for the ICO. Email him and get one of the last 10 spots.

    Wednesday, January 19, 2011

    Leave your lunch at home

    I've lined up my Killer B neighbor, Devens Pizza, to take lunch orders at the ICO. I had to work a little bit to convince him it would be worth it, so please support him and order a sub after you check-in.

    Doug "I Have Played More Rounds at Devens Than Anyone" Callaghan has donated a Star Mako and a Dunkins card to the silent auction.  Thanks Doug!

    Eleven spots left.

    Tuesday, January 18, 2011

    13 spots left for the Ice Cube Open

    I'm on the verge of announcing another very cool prize that has been donated to the Ice Cube Open -- a free entry to an upcoming event!

    I think this is the most donated prizes we've ever had. Thanks everyone and keep 'em coming!

    What a great idea! Stay tuned and register now for the ICO!

    Saturday, January 15, 2011

    Devens Grill in for chili!

    Course sponsor Devens Grill is once again donating a big ole pot of chili for the Ice Cube Open. This stuff always goes fast, so finish your round fast to get some of this meaty deliciousness.

    Thank you again, Elaine and John!

    Last year's chili didn't last too long! 



    Eric and Greg dig in last year
    Mark, Aaron, and Dave


    Thursday, January 13, 2011

    Anonymous donor kicks ass & donates $85 in gift certificates for Ice Bowl

    An anonymous donor has donated $85-worth of gift certificates to several area restaurants. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mr. X!

    We'll probably raffle these off silent auction style so that those who can use them will win them. It's no use winning a gift certificate if you live far away and it goes to waste. Proceeds will go directly to the Loaves and Fishes.

    Here's what's up for grabs:
    • $10 (x2) King Phillip Restaurant, Phillipston (just off Rt 2)
    • $15 The Ugly Omelet, Lunenburg (just down the road from Walmart)
    • $25 Ixtapa Cantina, Lunenburg (across from Walmart)
    • $25 Tennessee's BBQ, Leominster (just off Rt 2)

    Wednesday, January 12, 2011

    Love our course? Then join NEFA!

    If you love our course and playing disc golf in New England, you should join NEFA, the New England Flying disc Association.

    I am the MA state rep for NEFA and it's blogger too so I may be a little biased, however! NEFA also sponsored hole 12 back in the early days so you can see why I think you should return the love.

    But seriously, NEFA is a great community of disc golfers from all New England states, plus the bordering areas of NY and NJ. It's mission is to basically spread the word of disc golf, support new and emerging courses and other programs with funding, and run a points series each year. There's also a very active message board where you can keep up-to-date with everything going on in the region and even sell and trade discs.

    Two for one deal
    We are once again running our NEFA membership deal through the end of Jan. Any current NEFA member may sign up a new member for free! That's $25 for two people or $12.50 each. If you'd like to join as my freebie, send me an email.

    One person must already be a NEFA member who is renewing his membership. The other person must be a brand-new member.

    Several renewing members have offered up their freebie to the masses, so check out the message board to find somebody.


     

    Tuesday, January 11, 2011

    17 spots left, plus a couple Flying Squirrels

    Just 17 spots are left for this year's Ice Cube Open. You might as well sign up tomorrow while you're stuck at home during this week's "Blizzard of the Century."



    ABC Discs has donated a couple of their new Flying Squirrels for prizes. Thank you, Dan!

    Saturday, January 08, 2011

    New CTPs from the Crafty Scientist

    Thank you Steve Ditterman and Dayna Mankowski of Crafty Scientist for sponsoring two holes and donating some great custom waterproof scorecards for the Ice Cube Open. Yay Team Crafty!


    Twenty-two spots are left for the ICO. Sign up now before you get frozen out!

    Looking for prizes and other goodies
    I'm close to scoring some cool schwag from a local business and am looking for more fun and funky prizes to give out. Anyone? Gift cards, pizza, chili, gas cards, box of Hot Hands, jug of hot chocolate (coffee didn't go over too well the past few years), anything else.. Let me know if you can help!

    Tuesday, January 04, 2011

    Gary hits first ace of 2011!

    Congratulations to Ken Gary for hitting the first ace of the year at Devens on Saturday, January 1! Once again karma rewards -- Ken was shoveling tee boxes during his round. That's Ken's second ace on hole 11. Nice job!

    Even more freaky is that he hit hole 11. That's 11 on 1/1/11.

    Don't forget to register for the Ice Cube Open. Only 24 spots left.