Kit Carson Construction Update
As the opening of the Kit Carson Disc Golf Course grows near, quite a few people have been asking about the status of the course construction. Well, all 18 holes already have at least one basket anchor in the ground, plus each tee has a concrete anchor poured and ready to accept the tee signs. Fortunately, most of the course is in areas with nice cut grass with very little brush clearing needed. Both practice baskets were left in the ground, so if you are in the area feel free to stop by and throw a few practice shots at them.
Two practice baskets already in at Kit Carson
Last Saturday close to 20 Aces members showed up to perform some of the “grunt work” that was still needed, mostly on Hole 2, the one area of the course that was in need of some significant brush clearing. Due to the hard work of those in attendance, Hole 2 will be ready for play when the course is opened. The Aces thank all who showed up and chipped in.
Afterwards, most of the workers grabbed their discs and a couple of portable baskets and were rewarded with a tour of the course, getting a head start on “dialing in” the holes on this challenging layout.
Another work party is being planned for April 10, as there is still a lot of work to do. Remaining work includes planting of trees and shrubs, leveling tee areas, installing safety and warning signs, building the kiosk and various other odds and ends. Look for reminders of the April 10 work party on the Aces web site, the Aces PDGA discussion forum or other disc golf communications sites.
Brush removal on Hole 2
The Aces strongly encourage you to come out and be a part of this project. From the Aces perspective, this course will be unique in that we will have control over it and the events held there. That means no city fees, no competition with ball golfers, no asking permission to schedule weeklies, monthlies, team tournaments, whatever. It is quite an exciting milestone for our club. Come out and claim a bigger stake in it as others already have.
The Kit Carson course is scheduled to open on April 25th with a Grand opening PDGA sanctioned one-day tournament scheduled for May 8. Look for an announcement for online registration in early April.
San Diego Aces Disc Golf Club 
Allen –
Thanks for your reply. Your comment and an email I sent to Jeff Nichols must have gone up at the same time.
The two players I met were probably not the sport’s best representatives. I am looking forward to playing on the course myself.
But I suspect what looked good in planning was perhaps not crafted by people who frequent the park. I’m there every weekend and several times a week.
I’ve seen the speed discs travel at, and I know how close the baskets were placed to heavily trafficked shade tree areas regulary populated with grandmas and toddlers. I am glad to see a course at the park, but I anticipate conflicts. I hope I am mistaken.
Norman
Love Kit Carson Park.
I was at Kit Carson park today (4/25/2010) and I met a couple of golfers who were informing people that they were in the fairway on a frisbee golf course, and that they were in danger of being struck by a frisbee if they remained where they were.
I don’t know what expectations you had in the planning of this course, but people have been picnicking right where the holes were placed for more than fifty years.
The course was built right through the middle of some extremely popular picnicking spots that are always full of families on the weekend, and see regular traffic during the week as well.
Does the disc golf crowd police itself in any manner? It’s my experience that mountain bikers yield to horses and pedestrians – in a picnicking / disc golf conflict, who has the right of way?
Hi Norman,
Thanks for your comments. To answer your final question, I would say that picnickers have the right of way. I would hope that disc golfers find a friendly, pleasant way to explain to other park users what they are doing with their discs, and also invite the picnickers to try the game out.
The course was designed under the guidance of Escondido park officials, so there was review of the locations used for the disc golf amenities. The tees, baskets and fairways are all a safe distance from the park’s picnic tables and barbeque areas, and there is still an enormous amount of open space available for picnickers that is out of the way of the disc golf activities. Our hope is that the park can be enjoyed by all and that long-time park users will recognize the value of a new park feature, one that was paid for through donations from the Escondido Rotary Club, local businesses and other area residents.
I think disc golfers need to remember that we are always guests on the course that we are playing – someone else usually owns the land. And as such, we need to be appreciative guests and not take anything for granted – we have no entitlement to having a course at Kit Carson or any other park.
I hope to see you at the park!
Allen Risley
Montiel Park Course Representative
San Diego Aces Disc Golf Club
rizbee@teamrizbee.com
You guys are awesome, this course is what San Diego really needs. Thanks to all the hard work of all the Aces members, especially Ryan Meyer for making this course a reality.
Awesome Work People Looking forward to Disc Chucking at your new course. Props to all your hard work.