Let's Go Sox!

I think I posted this once or twice before, eh? Yeah boy!

OKC and let's get corked!

Saturday morning I met up with Josh and Suzy from Oklahoma City for a round. They were in town visiting relatives and had already played the Hill two or three times in their short visit.

They absolutely loved the trees, rocks, and elevation considering the biggest hills they have in OK are ant hills. Believe, I know. I've been there. Flat, flat, and more flat.

Thanks for coming, guys. Hope you enjoy the pix, and see you next time.

Josh nails his comeback putt on 10



Suzy putts across the Hill on 10



Suzy and Josh


The best part of the morning though was after our round when I was sitting in my truck killing some time on the phone before I had to head to work. Tony and Noah pulled in the parking lot and headed out toward the woods holding a drill and something that looked like a sign. I wasn't quite sure what they were up to and figured they were going out to fix the vernal pool sign on hole 6.

When they came back, they told me that they had installed a corkboard on our kiosk and attached the latest disc golf article that was in the Boston Globe. Tony was doubtful that it would hold up to the elements, but he was hopeful that it would help out short term.

It totally made my day. I love it when people give of themselves and help our course. So many people take, take, take, and never give. I don't know, even though it was a small gesture, it meant a ton to me and I appreciate it. Thanks a lot guys!

On that note, we are having a work day this Sunday, Oct 12 at 9 AM. Please come help us do some basic clean up, trimming, and installing some more tee boxes in preparation for our tourney. After, we'll head over to the Devens Chili Cookoff at 1 PM and maybe return for a quick round. Earn some good disc golf karma and lend a hand!


Noah, Tony, and Luke the Dog



The new corkboard

AR Player Packs ordered

Player packs have been ordered and are on their way. For the procrastinators who didn't sign up on time, I'll have a few extras up for grabs but don't count on them being available on Oct. 18.

• Check out your competition in the original post.
• Workday Sunday Oct 12, 9 AM. Then we'll head over to the Devens Chili Fest for lunch.

I wonder if Matt Stroika will play this year?

It's a Family Affair

We've got our first family signed up for the Ace Race and Dubs today. Mom and Dad Joe and Mindy, along with their ever-dangerous preteen sensations, Zane and Kindred, are ready to take it down.

"I'll bet my kid's college savings that my kids will whomp on any other kids in Dubs," a confident Joe said at today's press conference. "Bring it on, punks!"

Have you been out to the Hill with your family? Then join us at our fun event, Oct. 18. (No whomping allowed.)

Feel like this

Feel like this when you win Speed on Sat. Oct 18. What's that, you haven't entered yet? Hurry up!

Speed will be holes 13, 14, temp 15 to 9, and hole 10. That's 4 holes up and down the Hill. No problem!

All Ace Race entries must be in by this Sunday, Oct. 5. Email me if you want in now!

One week left

Only one week left to register for the Ace Race. Get your info in now or miss the boat!

Dave J has donated a new bag for the best-finishing player who doesn't already have a bag. Thanks Dave!

Marcy is donating one-of-a-kind custom-designed prizes for Dubs and Speed, plus a special prize for the Ace Race champ. Hill Yeah!

Ace Race regs trickling in

Ok, time is getting short to register for the Ace Race. Less than 10 days left to get me your info. Only a handful of player packs will be available on the day of, so don't risk not getting the chance to play for a new bag and 10 new discs!

Clarification: We throw from VERY short tees, not the ones that you usually throw from. So you have a chance at an ace or a "hit" even if you are a new player. Don't think you have no chance because you do!

Send your name and $25 by Oct 5 to:

• John Borelli
  Devens Disc Golf
  40 Cranberry St
  Pepperell, MA 01463

Or email me.

Overhead Shot Techniques

With the season drawing to a close in a couple of months here in New England, it's time to start thinking about what you want to learn in the off-season. For me, it's the Thumber and Tomahawk.

Tee for 14, poop on a stick, get a rope

We have our first official tee box on hole 14, thanks to Ken G. I saw it this morning and man does it look nice. All it needs is some backfill and it'll be good to go.





Unfortunately, some loser has stolen the rope we had on hole 16. I mean really, what's the point? Ugh.




Poop on a stick, er... log
Found this on the log across hole 2's fairway. Not that's talent!

Ace Race | Doubles | Speed -- Oct 18

It's Ace Race time again at the Hill! This year we are adding a 4-hole speed round option to this fun day of golf. Ace Race in the morning, then a round of doubles, and finally a speed round.

How much of the Hill can you handle?!

Play one, two, or all three events. Each event has it's own entry fee.

Ace Race

• Sat. Oct. 18, probably 10AM
• $25 (includes 2 prototype Discraft discs, a mini, and a hat)
• Throw once from each short Ace tee and record metal hits and aces. After two rounds, the player with most 'points' wins and gets a new bag filled with shiny new Discraft discs.
• We will throw both rounds at the same time to make it go quicker.
• Registration has closed for the Ace Race

Doubles

• About 12:30, after lunch
• $5 per person, one round best disc
• Bring your own partner or find one there
• Pro, AM1, AM2, Rec, Mixed (Experienced player and a newbie or junior)
• Registration deadline is Oct. 18, noon
  

Speed

• About 3:30
• $5 per person
• Complete 4 holes in the fastest time. Time penalty for every stroke over par.
• One division
• Registration deadline is Oct. 18, noon
  

It'll be a fun, low-frills, low-cost day of disc golf in beautiful October. If you haven't been to Devens yet, here's your chance to check us out. Join us!

Send name, events entered, division, and check to:

Devens Disc Golf
c/o John Borelli
40 Cranberry St
Pepperell, MA 01463

Questions? Email John.

Ace Race

• John Borelli
• Dave James
• Kari James
• Karly James
  
• Brian McNulty
  
• Ken Gary
  
• Donnie Phillips
• Pete Nevius
  
• TM Dyer
  
• Todd Canuel
  
• Luke Adolph
• John Rodenhizer
  
• Jim Bobka
  
• Shawn Dionne
  
• Rob Walker
  
• Joe Atwood
  
• Mindy Atwood
  
• Zane Atwood
  
• Kindred Atwood
• Tim Seiger
  
• Paul Lyman
• Steve Legare
  
• Mark Rooney
  
  

Doubles

• John Borelli and Dave James
• Ken Gary and Donnie Phillips
• TM Dyer and Todd Canuel
• John Rodenhizer and Pete Nevius
  
• Jim Bobka and Shawn Dionne
  
• Rob Walker and Chris Gagne $
  
• Joe and Mindy Atwood $
• Zane and Kindred Atwood $
• Tim Seiger and and Doug Orleans $
  
• Brian McNulty $ and Eric Spaulding $
• Michael and Bob DuCott
• Steve Legare and Mark Rooney
  
• Andrew Duquette $ and John Blanchard $
  
• John Campos $ and Chuck Gerbrands $
• Marcy Rose $ and Tony Gordon $
• Kevin Farrell $ and daughter $
• Chad LeBlanc $ and Jason Johnson $

Speed

• John Borelli
• Dave James
• Donnie Phillips
  
• Ken Gary
  
• Pete Nevius
  
• John R
  
• Jim Bobka
  
• Rob Walker
  
• Tim Seiger
• Grant Boyd $
  

NH disc golf on TV

Here's a great spot on NH disc golf, featuring my first disc golf friend in New England, Doug Bechtel. Nice job guys!

• Watch Chronicle
  

Everyone wants to play the Hill!

Yes, it's true. Creatures from far and wide have been coming to Devens to see what the buzz is about.

Last week, this little guy hitched a ride from my house and held on for the 25 minute ride. Now that's dedication!

No word on what he shot that day, though.

Devens takes on the Mean 18

Another weekend tournament, another great showing for Devens golfers.

Several Devens regulars headed up to Rindge, NH on Saturday to play in the NH States Hunt's Mean 18. Congrats to John L (2nd), John B (6th), Rich B (8th), Donnie D (8th), and Arty (12th) for their solid finishes in a good-sized AM1 field of 28.

Nice job also to Nut for cashing in his first-ever tournament in AM2 (5th). And we can't forget the Hovestadts, with Joy grabbing 2nd in Adv Women and Ed snagging 4th place in Adv Masters. Marcy had a great tournament too and was deadly with her new Roc.

Yeah Devens!

(Hey don't forget about our Ace Race Oct 18.)

Army Appreciation Day

Dave and Pete will be over at Rodgers Field Saturday showing the masses disc golf at the Devens Army Appreciation Day. They'll have a mini course set up for all to try.

Stop by and say hi if you're in the area, and thank your military too while you're at it.

• More info (PDF)
  

Dylan, Brandon, Kelly, Brenda...

This will not be in the Ace Race players pack!

Final WW results of 2008

We had a great turnout for the last official WW of 2008. Thank you all for coming this year and supporting the course!

Keep your eyes open for our final Bag Tag Bonanza (© Dave James) in late October or November.

Some people plan on continuing to meet each Wednesday, but a little earlier, so if you want to join them, check the WW NEFA discussion page and the blog for any info.

Thanks Ed for figuring out the results last night:

• 2 John 56
• 3 Mike C 56
• 4 Ed H 58
• 5 Jim B 59
• 6 Donnie 59
• 10 Ken 60
• 15 Dave J 65
• 16 Luke 65
• 18 Pete N 66
• - Chad 67
• 23 Tom 70
• 28 Josh 72
• - Marcy 72*
• 29 Joy 73
• 29a Doug 79

* Mostly long tees

A-Hole Hits the Hill

Word came in yesterday of some asshole who bent over a tree on hole 3. I went over there to check it out and found one young maple tree on the ridge near the basket bent over and snapped about 18 inches from the ground. Looks like the loser pulled the tree over and hung on it until it broke.

Hmm, here's an idea -- if you hit a tree, get better and throw around it next time. Don't be a dick.

If you saw or heard anything, please let me know. And if you ever see anyone breaking branches or otherwise damaging the course... well, do what you want to them.

Looking up at the basket








One cool thing about yesterday is that we spotted this tiny snake. I asked him to keep an eye out for vandals.

Ace and Ace!

Looks like there were a couple of aces this Labor Day weekend.

Congrats to Bill Bureau for an ace on Hole 15! That's the first one on 15 I've heard about. Very nice!

His friend Barry S. writes:

Played Devens Sunday for the first time. Bill Bureau aced hole 15. The basket was so far away and out of sight that you barely heard the ching of the chains. It was a beautiful moment. Great Course, loved it. Keep up the great work and Bill is my new golf hero.

And congrats to Donnie Disc Golf for an ace on Hole 10! That's like Donnie's 75th ace on the Hill! :) He writes:

On Saturday Sam from Shirley and I were enjoying a beautiful day on the hill and approached the 10th teebox after playing even par through nine. Here’s how it transpired on the box.

Sam: “Nice Drive!!! That was an awesome ‘S’. It followed a picture perfect ‘S’ line. Awesome. Nice drive.”

Donnie: “Man, hey I am just glad it stopped.”

Later on the way down for the follow-up second shots I realized I didn’t need one -- there was a disc in the basket and it was mine. There was enough noise that you would’ve thought I won the lottery!

Everything’s coming up… aces.

You don't know (Phone) Jack

Add A Phone Jack Systems to the list of Birdie course sponsors. Thank you!

They'll assist you with all phases of design, cabling and hardware installation as well as programming and maintenance of Voice, Data, Wi-Fi, CCTV and IP (Internet Protocol) network systems. Good deal!

Devens Delivers!

Nice job to all the Hillfolk who kicked it at the Barre Falls Open yesterday. The Hill sent 15 bagtaggers to the tournament, and a several of us came home with some hardware. Yeah, baby!

Ken G (Pro Grandmaster), Ed H (Advanced Master), and Marcy (Rec) each won their divisions, while Phil V cashed in Pro, Jimbo-bobka and I tied for third in AM1, and Pete N finished in the top half of AM2. Nice job! Donnie D, Ed, and I also took home a couple of CTPs too.

Watch out, Devens is making some late-season noise!

And now, another entry for worst group photo (missing some of the Hillfolk).

Donnie, Ken, John, Marcy, Pete, Luke, Dave, Gags

Area 51

We had a record turnout last night at the WW. There were also at least 6 other people out playing.

Thank you Rob W for mowing the entry area and path to tee 1. Luke won a stylish Bud trucker hat for CTP on hole 1.

Results:

• 1 John 51
• 3 Dave J 55
• 4 Mike C 58
• 8 Ken 59
• - Marcy 59 (mixed tees)
• 12 Donnie 60
• 14 Rob 62
• 15 Luke 64
• 24 Nut 65
• 27 Pete N 66
• 28a Craig 71
• 28b Doug 71
• 29 Dave M 71
• - Miko 75

Due to a few duplicate tags being made, we have two 28s and 29s out there now. Rookie mistake, I know.

Let's start at 5:15 sharp next week to beat the sunset. Only a few more league nights left.

Thank you, golfers!

Thank you Jeff Maxwell, Louis Philbrook, and David Mallen for your recent donations to the course. I guarantee good golf karma in your future! May all your kicks off trees be good ones!

Here's what happens when you don't donate to the course -- bad rock karma! This is just one of a growing collection of plastic bits on the boulder on 14.


And here's a funky mushroom we came across on hole 4 a few weeks ago. Like wow, man!

Another Bert & Ernie parody - Gansta style

Yeah, I know the stereotypical disc golfer likes the Grateful Dead and other jam bands, but this rapping Bert and Ernie parody is pretty good.

Watch it a few times and see how well they synched up the hands and body movements. Nice!

Pick 'em if you got 'em

Join the Devens Disc Golf NFL Pick 'Em Challenge. It's free. All I ask is that you make your picks every week. That's about 1 minute per week. Can you handle that?

Winner gets nothing but a pat on the back and the right to say that you know how to pick 'em better than the rest of us. First game is next Thursday, Sept 4.

• League: Devens Disc Golf (Join now)
  
• Password: hillfolk

Speaking of picking, what movie is this from?

Porterhouse: Fifty bucks says the Smails kid picks his nose.
Lou: You're on.
Porterhouse: All right, kid, take your time.
[Spaulding picks his nose]

Lou: Double or nothing he eats it.
Porterhouse: Don't do it, kid!
[Spaulding eats it]
Porterhouse: That kid will eat anything!
Lou: He was hungry.

D'oh!

Jeff M pointed out that not everyone uses PayPal, so for you old schoolers out there, please send your donations to our corporate headquarters in Pepperell, MA.

Thanks for your support and happy hucking!

Send to:

John Borelli
Devens Disc Golf
40 Cranberry St
Pepperell, MA 01463

Ace Race - Oct. 18

Keep your eyes open for details on our 2nd Annual Ace Race on Saturday, Oct. 18. After two quick ace race rounds, we'll have lunch and then head out for some dubs action.

You could go home with a brand new bag filled with shiny new Discraft discs!

• What's an Ace Race?
• Last year's pix and results
  

Thank you!

Thank you Craig Rowe for your recent donation to the course! It's people like you that help us keep the course open.

Sadly, Craig is one of not even a handful of golfers to contribute to the course this summer, even though there are tons of people playing it now. It sure would be nice to get some love from our players.

• No donations = no insurance = no Devens Disc Golf course. A few dollars a month is all we're asking.

Does anyone have any suggestions for building a secure donation box that we could leave by hole 1? Please email me your ideas or post a comment. Thanks!

NEFA at Worlds

A handful of New England golfers are playing this week at the 2008 PDGA Disc Golf World Championships in Kalamazoo, MI.

The latest rumor is that teen phenom Billy Dunne of CT nailed a 430 ft ace today and is currently in second place after one round. Keep it going, NEFA!

• News off PDGA site
  
• Photos

Smashing Olympics coverage

If you haven't tried NBC's live Olympics coverage on the Internet, you should. It is very cool. As an added bonus, there are no commentators rambling on, just the raw feed.

Right now I am watching team handball. Never seen it before but it seems pretty fun. Before I was watching badminton dubz. The fans were going crazy.

Watch now. Look in the left nav bar for live programs.

And if you ever need a boost to your patriotism, watch the Mens 4 x 100 free swimming relay team stick it to those cocky Frenchies. What a friggin' awesome race!

We're in the news again!

Here's some more great coverage for our course. Includes possibly the best disc golf photos ever taken, as well as some video staring Luke, Arty, and me. Thanks for stopping by, Stephen and Ann!

• Read article version #1
• Read article version #2
  
• Photos -- there are some great ones here!
  

Hell Yeah!

The Green Mountain Open was a lot of fun this weekend despite a few torrential downpours at both N. Calais and Sugarbush.

Room 201: Dave, Marcy, John, Daniel, Phil


I'm happy to say that Devens made a fine showing up in VT. Marcy finished 3rd, two strokes behind the Intermediate Women winner and also won a CTP. I finished 11th in AM1 and Ed H finished 4th in Mens Advanced Masters. As for Dave and Phil, let's just say they've had better days. Hell yeah!

• Full results

John and Marcy hobnob with '06 Pro World Doubles Champion Jay Reading and 3-time Pro Womens World Champion Des Reading



We finished! John, Marcy, and Dave

Hopping Hill

Tons of people were out playing the Hill last night -- definitely the most I've ever seen. We only had eight bagtaggers, but there were at least 12 others either playing with us or on their own. That included seven kids ranging from grammar school to high school. Nice!

Lots of low tags were up for grabs and that brought out some solid competition in our foursome of Arty, Luke, Pete T, and me. Luke started off on fire and was nailing putts left and right. The rest of us were just playing our game, nothing fancy, although the trees were angry at Pete.

Once we bumped into the reporter and photographer on hole 9, it felt like everything went to crap. Too much pressure of looking good for our public, I guess. In reality, our scores didn't suffer too badly and once we hit 17, Luke and I were tied at +2.

After I parked my drive for a drop-in deuce and Luke carded a 3, we headed up to deadly 18 where good rounds have been made and destroyed. All I needed to preserve my lead was a good drive, a good upshot (or would that be a downshot?), and an easy putt. Anything more than that would open the door for Luke.

I let loose an Avenger SS nice an easy and it cruised down the middle of the fairway. It started to turn right a little too late but made the crest of the hill and crashed into the trees on the far side. Luke's drive cut right too early, clipped a branch, and spit out into the fairway. I started to breathe a little easier but still knew I needed to throw a good controlled floater down the hill -- something I've been having trouble with lately -- for a chance at a doable putt.

I ended up in a slight clearing on the edge of the fairway, but still needed to throw an arcing shot around several trees to reach the pin. So, out came my trusty Aviar and happily it did what it was supposed to do and landed about 20 ft above the basket -- with no evil roll! I nailed the sorta scary downhill putt and Luke managed to salvage a respectable 4. Victory and the #1 tag was back with me. :)

Here are the results:

• 1 John 55, 10
• 3 Luke 57, 5
• 4 Dave 58, 1
• 5 Donnie 59, 3
• 6 Arty 59, 13
• 8 Mike C 60, 8
• 10 Ed Ho, 61, 6
• 13 Pete T, 62, 4

Dave's wife Kari hit chains from the Ace Race tee on 7! Blammo!! Great job, Kari!

Look for an article next Friday in the Acton local paper and its sister publications.

Dave, Marcy, and I are off on a mini-roadtrip to the two-day Green Mountain Open at Sugarbush and N. Calais in VT this weekend. Check back next week for pictures of us hobnobbing with the beautiful disc golf people of the world.

Come get your 15 minutes at the WW

Here's your chance to get your name and face in the local newspaper. A local sports reporter may be coming by the WW to see what we are all about.

Be sure to wear your Wednesday best!

Dave has also declared tomorrow as Ladies Night, so bring your lady, your sister, your niece, and your Mom. Not quite sure what he has in store exactly, but I'm sure it'll be good!

Amesbury update

The Amesbury Park & Rec board met lat night and decided to punt the decision on building the ice rink in the middle of the course over to the Mayor, even though he has not been in attendance for any of the meetings.

• Updated article
  

There was a good turnout, and I am proud to say that a handful of Devens regulars attended or worked the phones the past few days in support of Amesbury. Thanks, everyone.

New old photos posted

I've reposted some photos on the website from the "early" days and added some more recent ones. Now I'm only 4 months behind. Jeez...

Check out the photos. Maybe you'll see a familiar face, or at least reminisce about our glorious Orange Bucket Days.

Top Pros in Leicester for NT event at Maple Hill

Many of the world's top pros will make Leicester, MA their home for the next few days as they compete in the Vibram Open at Maple Hill. This is the last stop on the PDGA National Tour and is definitely the biggest tourney to hit New England in a while. You should go watch! Fri-Sun.

No rain for WW

The rain stopped about 5:10 tonight. If you had not wussed out, you would have seen Pete N hit a 150-footer on hole 6 and Jimbo Bobka unleash a monster drive on 18 that made it at least 2/3 of the way down the hill. Both beautiful shots.

You could also have almost been decapitated by someone with extreme griplock.

We mixed it up tonight with 3 Disc Dilemma. You could only bring three discs out. It was fun.

Results:

• 1 Dave, 56, 1
• 10 John, 58, 12
• 12 Jim, 63, 10
• 14 Pete, 68, 14
• Marcy shoots a 60 from the mid-tees.

Here's another wuss: