Speedy run through

Rob, Pete, and I had a practice Speed round last night to finalize the rules and get a general idea of how things should work. Let me just say that damn, this is going to be a lot of fun!

With Marcy timing and Dave and his daughter cheering us on, we sped through the four holes. I went first and chucked a beautiful shot down hole 13; however, I took off running and forgot to watch where it went! And then there was the foxhole I fell into that sent me ass-over-tea-kettle, much to the amusement of the galley!

In between all the laughter, Dave shouted out where it had gone and I found my disc after a valuable 10 seconds had ticked off the clock. Total time for hole 1 was about 45 seconds.

Next I jogged up to tee 14 and heard the plonk of Rob's disc hitting a tree on 13. I set myself and launched a beauty up the Hill -- this time watching where it went before I took off after it. My legs were already feeling like tree trunks as I hustled after my shot. I made my approach and heard Rob yell "Fore" as I missed my putt and settled for a 4.

I headed to 15 sucking wind pretty good, but still moving. I threw a laser to basket 9 and it skipped past the basket. I ran down, missed the chippy putt and moved on with a disappointing 3. Rob was nowhere to be seen, but honestly, I don't remember much after my wipeout on the first hole -- I was on automatic drive.

On the way over to tee 10 I saw a crushed Dunkins paper cup on the ground and fought the urge to stop and pick it up. Once on the tee pad, I set myself and float a beauty down the hill that lands about 20 ft above the basket. I really don't remember running down the Hill.

I hear Marcy yelling something over at the finish line but can't waste any energy deciphering it. I nail the putt for a bird, run down to the basket, grab my disc, and sprint to the finish line at tee 11. Done and still alive at just over 4 minutes! I drop my discs and flop to the ground ready to explode. Damn, I am old.

Rob is close on my heels and ends up beating me by a few seconds. Pete, however, crushes us both by over 25 seconds with a 3:43.

The big question is what will early favorite Donnie Disc Golf shoot? He is clearly the man to beat, but one bad kick can change everything.

See you Saturday!

One spot left for Ace Race, Dubs trickling in

There's still time to join us this Saturday. Email me if you want in. But beware the consequences if you win. Jimmy found out the hard way last year.

• Note: We're having a potluck lunch. Please bring something to share. We'll have a small grill and maybe an electrical outlet for a crock pot.

• Updated reg list here.

It's a Three Pete

Thank you to all who showed up Sunday morning to work on the course. We had a very biblical-sounding turnout (three Peters, two Johns, and a Luke), plus Ken, and Marcy. Bobka and Arty also did some work on Saturday, and Dave J. built some Ace Race tees on Thursday. Nice!

It was a great group effort with people lending a hand where needed. While Luke and Peter M worked on filling up tee box 14 with dirt, Pete T and John R roamed the course looking for high dead branches to cut down with a pole saw and also put in some steps on the path to hole 8. Ken whipped up another sweet tee box on hole 17 and was joined by Peter M who helped fill it with dirt. Next up for Ken Gary Construction is a tee box for hole 4.

Pete N and Luke did some low brush cutting on the back 9 and Marcy and I cleaned up the landing zone on top of the crest of 18. John R and I also installed a tee box front piece thingy on the new tee for hole 5.

Wow, we did a lot in three hours and the course just keeps getting better and better!

Peter and Luke fill in tee box 14


Pete T takes out a limb on 5


John R makes quick work of a branch on 7


Tee box 14


Ken and Peter work on tee box 17

Any other 1s?

Well it's true -- if you come to a workday, good things happen to you. After 3+ hours of working on the course, we played a casual round and witnessed some Devens history.

Marcy hit her first-career ace on hole 9 with a Banger GT putter! We all knew it as soon as it left her hand -- it was friggin' beautiful. Crash! Witnessed by Pete N, Pete, T, John R, and me.

Marcy has only been playing for 5 months and is the only known woman to ace at Devens.

She was pretty happy.

Volunteers: Workday Sunday, 9 AM

Help us in a quick general clean-up and prep for the Ace Race. Meet in the parking lot at 9AM this Sunday, Oct 12 at 9AM.

After a few hours of cutting low brush, building tee boxes, shoveling dirt, cutting grass, building some stairs, and flagging the Ace tees, we'll head over to the Chili Cook Off, eat, and listen to some tunes. Then maybe back for a quick 9 holes or so before the Pats game.

Need loppers, shovels, wheelbarrow, railroad ties, elbow grease.

Let me know if you are coming. Email or call 978-433-6133. Thanks!

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!