Brevard College Disc Golf Course Improvements

Introduction:

The Brevard community needs your help to raise funds for the construction of safe and standard PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) concrete tee pads for our local disc golf course at Brevard College, located in Brevard, North Carolina.

NOTE: No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to my GoFundMe.

For example, a concrete tee pad is used for a drive (not Brevard College).

Existing Brevard College hole 5 tee pad area.

Existing Brevard College hole 8 tee pad area.

Existing Brevard College hole 18 tee pad area.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. Updates

2. Short Project Summary

3. What is Disc Golf?

4. Benefits of Disc Golf

5. Community and Tourism Benefits

6. Long Project Summary and Brevard College Disc Golf Course History

7. Improvements Planned

8. Cost Assumptions and Phases

9. Action Plan and Schedule

1. Updates:

(11/26/23 Update***)

The fundraising effort for this project has successfully reached the first goal of raising enough funding to purchase materials and build concrete tee pads. This funding equals $4,226.01. Since the cold weather has set in, pouring concrete in when temperatures dip below 40 degrees in a 48-hour period is challenging. This temperature will slow the reaction time concrete needs to cure, harden, and become strong. We are now considering using the funds raised to go towards a concrete contractor to pour and finish the concrete tee pads. A concrete truck will keep the concrete mix warmer than if we did this by hand. This will be more efficient and has become the focus of this project. We can then place thermal blankets over the finished tee pads for this first day/night so that they stay at the proper temperature.

NOTE: We are currently waiting on pricing for this option to make a decision. This decision will be made early during the week of November 28th. If we cannot come to an agreement, we will pour the tee pads ourselves using the funds we have now.

Once the concrete tee pads are completed, our next phase two goal will be to raise enough money to purchase 19 new baskets for the course, design and build a triple mandatory structure (similar to the likes of Winthrop Gold, Hole 7), and other improvements such as basket flags, OB markers, and establishing distinct paths for the course.

2. Short Project Summary:

The college has approved the construction of permanent concrete tee pads on the disc golf course, but we, as a community, must fund and organize this ourselves. The plan is to raise funds to purchase materials needed for 18 tee pads and construct these ourselves with volunteer support.

(11/20/23 Update**)

As of this past weekend, we have dug out all of the long tee positions with an excavator, prepared these holes for gravel, and bought and delivered gravel for all of the tee pad concrete bases. On top of this, the final course redesign has been determined, and two fairways have been cleared for two of the five new holes.

3. What is disc golf?

Disc golf, also known as frisbee golf or frolf, is a sport that shares similarities with traditional golf but uses flying discs instead of balls and clubs. The objective of disc golf is to complete each hole in the fewest throws possible, just like in regular golf, but players use specialized flying discs thrown towards a target, typically a metal basket with hanging chains.

4. Benefits of disc golf:

Disc golf offers various benefits, both physical and mental, making it an enjoyable and rewarding activity for many individuals. Here are some of the key benefits of playing disc golf:

Physical Exercise: Disc golf involves walking, throwing, and often traversing varied terrain, which provides a full-body workout. Players engage their arms, legs, and core muscles while walking the course, and throwing discs works on arm strength, flexibility, and coordination.

Cardiovascular Health: Walking the course and the physical activity involved in throwing discs can contribute to improved cardiovascular health, promoting better heart health and overall endurance.

Balance and Coordination: The game requires coordination and balance, particularly when executing different throwing techniques and adjusting to varying course landscapes, which can improve overall body coordination.

Stress Relief: Being outdoors in natural settings, enjoying fresh air and green spaces, can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. The game also offers a mental break from daily routines.

Social Interaction: Disc golf is often played in groups, fostering social interaction and camaraderie. It provides opportunities to meet new people, make friends, and enjoy a shared activity.

Accessibility: Compared to traditional golf, disc golf tends to be more accessible and affordable. Courses are often free to play or have minimal fees, and the equipment (discs) is relatively inexpensive.

Mental Focus and Strategy: Playing disc golf requires strategic thinking and decision-making regarding shot selection, considering the terrain, wind conditions, and various obstacles. This can enhance mental focus and problem-solving skills.

Family-Friendly Activity: Disc golf is suitable for players of various ages and skill levels, making it an excellent family activity where people of different abilities can participate together.

Environmental Awareness: Many disc golf courses are set in natural environments, raising awareness about the importance of preserving and appreciating natural spaces.

Overall, the combination of physical activity, mental engagement, social interaction, and accessibility makes disc golf an attractive recreational activity for people looking to have fun outdoors while reaping numerous health and social benefits.

5. Community and Tourism Benefits:

Disc golf can provide various tourism benefits to a community or region. Here are some ways in which disc golf can contribute to tourism:

Attraction for Visitors: Disc golf courses can attract visitors to a specific area. Well-designed courses in scenic locations, parks, or natural settings can draw disc golf enthusiasts from other regions or even other countries.

Economic Impact: Disc golf tournaments, events, and competitions often bring in participants and spectators, boosting local economies. Visitors spend money on accommodations, dining, shopping, and other local amenities, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and small businesses in the area.

Destination Enhancement: A quality disc golf course can enhance the overall appeal of a destination, making it more attractive to visitors interested in outdoor activities. This can contribute to the region's reputation as a destination for sports tourism.

Extended Stays: Disc golf enthusiasts often plan trips around playing new courses or participating in tournaments. Having a well-maintained and challenging course can encourage longer stays, leading visitors to explore other attractions and activities in the area.

Community Engagement: Disc golf tournaments and events can foster community engagement. Local volunteers, businesses, and organizations often get involved in hosting or sponsoring these events, leading to community pride and involvement.

Promotion and Marketing: Disc golf tournaments and courses can be marketed to a wider audience through social media, sports publications, and dedicated websites. Positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations from players can also attract more visitors.

Sporting Infrastructure Development: Investing in disc golf infrastructure, such as courses and facilities, can contribute to a diverse sports landscape within a community. This attracts players, sports enthusiasts, and families interested in outdoor activities.

Seasonal Tourism: Disc golf can be played year-round, potentially attracting visitors during seasons when other outdoor activities might be less accessible due to weather conditions.

Overall, the combination of attracting visitors, generating economic activity, and contributing to the overall tourism appeal of an area makes disc golf a valuable asset for communities looking to boost tourism and promote outdoor recreational opportunities.

(Disc Golf Pro Tour European Open 2022)

6. Long Project Summary and Brevard College Disc Golf Course History:

My name is Zack Cebenka, and I am part of the local Brevard, North Carolina disc golf community. We have one 18-hole course here in town that is played frequently with league nights on Tuesdays. On a typical Saturday, you will run into 10-16 other players enjoying the course. It is the only worthwhile course with 18 holes within a 35-minute drive of town.

The Brevard College course suffers from having dirt tee pad areas that are sunken into the ground. Some of them have tree roots you must navigate during your run-up. When it rains, water collects in these depressions and creates a standing pool of water. The end of the "tee" is marked by a 4" x 4" wood post laying flat on the ground. On a typical rainy or wet day (lots of days in the temperate rainforest climate), most players will tee off either to the left or right of the pool of water. You can expect at least one person during Tuesday night league to slip and shank a drive, or even worse, land on the wood post on their elbow or knee. Falling during a drive has happened to me more times than I care to admit, and luckily, I have not gotten seriously injured by this.

Getting where we are today has been challenging: Historically, the college administration and maintenance crews have disagreed with the disc golf course presence and allowing "permanent" concrete tee pads. Recently, by a change of heart, the administration has reversed their decision not to allow "permanent" tee pads, and they have granted us approval to install proper and safe concrete tee pads as long as they are relatively "flush" with the ground as not to create a significant maintenance burden for the maintenance crew. The caveat is that we must fund and install this ourselves.

Please support this effort and help fund the concrete tee pad installation and new baskets for this public course! This public course is an asset to Brevard, North Carolina, and to the wider community of Western North Carolina.

7. Improvements Planned (Updated 11/20/23**):

The first phase of this project is to build concrete tee pads associated with the new layout. We have secured funding for this and began this effort on Saturday, November 18th, 2023. The next step is to prepare compacted gravel bases that the concrete will be poured on top of. That gravel is on-site and ready to move as soon as we have the volunteer availability to do so.

The next phase in this process is to acquire funding for new baskets and other course improvements. The current baskets only have one ring of chains.

8. Cost Assumptions and Phases (11/26/23 Update***):

***NOTE: We have asked for quotes for a concrete contractor to pour and finish the tee pads. This is our preferred approach as the cold weather sets in. If we have the funds, we will pursue this route as new concrete tee pads are the top priority of this project. This decision will be made during the week of November 27th.

PHASE ONE: Concrete Tee Pad Materials + Construction

*NOTE: The 10% contingency accounts for price increases and unforeseen costs. For example, the 80lb Quikrete cost has increased by roughly $1.00 in the last 60 days.

PHASE TWO: New baskets and additional course improvements

Total Phase One and Phase Two Cost = $11,000.00 +/-

(Triple mandatory found at Withrope University)

Items and resources we have on hand:

(Photo of us breaking ground on November 18th. 2023)

9. Action Plan & Schedule:

The plan is underway. We have begun sourcing materials and planning work days. The holes for tee pads and the course redesign are complete. The next step is to establish aggregate bases for the concrete, construct the concrete forms, and begin pouring the concrete. We may be starting to pour concrete as soon as next week or the following. If we can keep this going, we may complete concrete tee pads within a few weeks.

The phase two plan will be determined as we achieve our larger phase two goal. As soon as we accomplish this fundraising goal, we will acquire and install the baskets as soon as possible.

Thank you for making it this far and considering supporting our efforts. We are STOKED to begin this project, and we are beyond excited to introduce this new chapter of Brevard College Disc Golf Course to the world!!

Sincerely,

Zack, Cortney, and James

NOTE: No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to my GoFundMe.

Brevard College UDisc link:

https://udisc.com/courses/brevard-college-f03r

Local Brevard Disc Golf Community Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/203457593161020/