Club and Course News
05/11/2008
Work days yield results at Barnet
Over the past month or two, a number of club work days have brought out the creativity and resourcefulness among our membership. Several course improvements have been completed, or are near completion - many, just in time for the King's Cup III. One of the most immediately noticeable additions is an information kiosk near hole #1.
The kiosk was built and installed by club member Bill Thaxton with assitance from several other members. On one side, we have the rules of play and a map of the course. On the other side, we have space for notices (under glass), and a corkboard area for anyone to post notes of interest. (If you have notices for upcoming events, please let Joel Smith know so he can posted them on the kiosk.)
More course changes...
Additional course changes include replacement of the rusty inner chains on all goals. Also added were steps on hole #16 between the long tee-pad and the lower part of the hole. Players may recall some steep paths in this area than could be a bit tricky to descend. Thanks to Bobby Cox and crew for putting those in.
Hole #6, "The Skinny", has a mound on which the goal is placed. Over the past few years, increased traffic has eroded the mound. We've fixed that. The mound is now about 6 ft. tall and features a framed base to reduce erosion in the future. And you may find the path to goal a bit clearer. Its still a very challenging hole, just with a few refinements.
When the course was originally designed by Harold Duvall and Russell Schwarz, #15 had a long tee pad. Some long-time players of Barnet Park may recall the rubber mat that served as the long tee pad for a while. A new concrete tee-pad has been installed on #15 in its place. Thanks to Joe Noble, Bill Thaxton, Max Crotts, Mike Norris (of Raleigh) and others for all the effort that went into preparing and installing this pad. We hope you enjoy the addition.
Hole #18's hollow tree split and the top came down in a storm last fall. This caused a new and hard-to-escape thicket of crushed underbrush along the right side of the fairway. Christian Smith has spent hours and extensive efforts to clear out this tangle, while leaving it an interesting feature. It is once again playable, yet still an area best avoided.
And when you escape from the corridor of #18's fairway, you'll find that posts and a cable now fence off the goal area. This improvement is intended to keep people from parking cars near the goal. Many thanks to Bill Thaxton for making the posts, installing them and the cable. So far, we have not found any cars parked in front of the goal.
Speaking of goals, you'll now find a practice goal, "#19", in the grassy area in front of the picnic shelter. In addition to warming up, we've already seen this goal increase awareness of the disc golf course at Barnet park. Some have suggested this goal be used as park of a special tie-breaker hole for events. In any case, we're glad to have it as an addition to the park.
There are numerous other improvements around the course. We hope you find that they enhance your enjoyment of our course. There are some new additions on the way, and you'll notice them as you play in the next few weeks and months. Also, be sure to check the kisok and web site for updates and news about events at Barnet Park.
04/09/2008
The national Ice Bowl organizer, Rick Rothstein, released the collective results for the 2008 Ice Bowl. They're pretty impressive. Thanks to everyone locally who helped.
Rothstein wrote, "The count continues but thanks to the 200 events that have reported, I'm happy to announce these very impressive numbers for Ice Bowl 2008."
Participants/helpers/contibutors: 10,435
Average temperature: 35.74 degrees F
Average snow on the ground: 3.10"
Charitable donations in cash: $242,661
Charitable donations in food: 49,807 lbs.
If you have ideas for Kinston's 2009 Ice Bowl, or want to help out, please contact Joel Smith.
King's Cup II, Benches and More...
Don't miss the King's Cup II. The PDGA C-tier event will be held at Barnet Park, May 19-20th. We're expecting a full house, so sign up early online. Am players will receive an "Ontario" Roc in the player's pack. No player pack for pros this year, but the King's Cup II will feature a cash-added purse. This event will also be an NC Points Series event (50 points), so if you're in the running, you'll want to be here. We're making good progress and look forward to this being a really fun event. If you would like to be a hole or prize sponsor, let us know. Sponsors can sign up online, too. If you would like to volunteer, there are plenty of opportunities available. Drop us a line.
Boy Scout Builds Benches
The next time you're on the course, you'll notice new benches. Briley Taylor, of Kinston, raised funds, built and installed 20 new benches around the course as a project on his quest to become an Eagle Scout. Now, every tee pad has a bench. This should make a big difference during busy tournaments. Our thanks and appreciation for this great addition go out to Briley, his parents and friends who helped make it happen.
Read more...
Also of note, Innova released a DX version of the Coyote this week.
Don't forget to pre-register for the King's Cup. Pre-registration ends May 13th. Registration on-site at the event is available, and includes a $5.00 late fee.
08/05/2007
On The Road and Disc Golf in Kinston
On July 25th, WITN-TV's Heather King and Jim Howard were in Kinston's Grainger Stadium before sunrise to broadcast their On The Road segments. We were fortunate to be invited to appear in a segment. About 6 KDK members arrive at 6:00am to putt on TV. One more opportunity to let folks know about disc golf. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Click here to view a Quicktime clip.
07/23/2007Ace Race Planned for Sept. 22nd.
Don't miss the Ace Race. This event should be a lot fun. It provides an opportunity for players of a broad range of skills to compete together, with a twist on the usual tournament approach. The Ace Race offers one division, with each player throwing 2 18-hole rounds. The player gets one throw per hole. All the holes will be shorted to be 180ft or less - putting every hole in range for holes-in-one by most players. Holes that are already less than 180 ft will not be modified. Players will receive two discs, which are the only ones they are allowed to use in this competition, a full-color mini disc marker and a hat. Click here for more information and online registration. Pre-registration is recommended so we have a better chance of ordering enough player packs. When the player packs run out, no more players will be allowed. Pre-registration gets you locked in.
05/10/2007Course Clearing Opens Up Some Holes
It's spring cleaning time, and the course got some attention this week from Jason Noble of Noble Forest and Vegetation Management. Jason's clearing equipment made quick work of some of the worst spots on the course, spots we've been whittling away at for months. You'll notice a much nicer left edge on #10. Hole #16's left side is no longer impenetrable, disc-eating thicket. Well, it is, but it has moved back 20 ft.
And best of all, the clearing hasn't changed any of the lines on the course. You'll still be in trouble if you go to the left on #16, but you'll be able to find your disc. Special thanks to Jason for the careful clearing. Photos of some of the clearing are in the gallery section of the site. See the "Course Cleanup, May 9, 2007" Album.
Just to recap recent activities, there is now a bench at every tee pad. The goals have been upgraded with new crowns and baskets - no more bent or rusty goals. The course has been cleaned up in some of its roughest spots - just in time for the King's Cup II. You really don't want to miss this year's 'Cup.
Special thanks to all the volunteers who put in the work and time to bring all these improvements to the course.
04/25/2007Thanks to the efforts of several local players and volunteers, the new goals are all in place at Barnet park, and the course is once again ready for play.
The new goals are Innova DISCatcher Pros. All 18 were set up Tuesday afternoon. A casual round followed.
Our usual weekly Tuesday doubles events will start again next week, on May 1. Don't miss it!
Volunteers Bill Thaxton and Leo Smith coming back in for more baskets to set up.
04/24/2007After a long day on the road to Roc Hill, SC, yesterday, we have the new goals and we're going to start putting them up this afternoon (4/24/07). Special thanks to Tim Knobleloch for hauling the old goals there and the new goals back. And thanks to Andrew at Innova, behind the goals in the photo below, for all his help getting us back on the road and back in play.
The goals will start going up Tuesday, April 24th in the afternoon. With any luck and volunteers, we might be ready for doubles at 6:00pm. If not, volunteers are welcomed. We'll play something on the new goals!
Drainage Improvements & a Foot Bridge on #5
Hole #5 comes one step closer to staying dry. On April 17th, Kinston/Lenoir Co. Parks & Rec Dept. brought out a backhoe and worked to improve the drainage channel crossing the fairway on #5 between the long and short tee pads. Pictured here, Joebert Bell runs the backhoe digging the new channel. Tim Knobeloch touches up the edge.
A bridge was installed to cross the new channel. The channel is broad and flat enough that it should be playable when dry. The 23' bridge has been donated and awaits transport to the course.
Thanks to Bill Thaxton for transporting the bridge, Tim Knobeloch and Kinston/Lenoir County Parks & Recreation Department for putting it in place, the excellent grounds crew at the Kinston Country Club for loading it up, and especially Mr. Scott Barwick for donating the bridge.
