Manhattan, Illinois--> Round Barn Disc Golf Course

[CEValkyrie]

Some of you may or may not know but i've been working on a new course project the last couple of weeks. I cannot release the location yet but it's going to be sweet! It's slated to open this fall. There is a deadline and the head park guy is a major go getter so I can gurantee it opens on time. Once I get the date and hammer down the details i'll publicize the grand opening.

Dana Vicich met me today and we hammered out some pretty cool holes. Thank you Dana! There is still quite a bit of thought and design left. Once it's finished it will be play tested, modified, and marked for installation.

There are quite a few restrictions on this property that I had to consider. I'll post those later.

I gurantee this is going to be the most unique course in Illinois. The park district has been awesome working with.
1. It's going to have 2 practice baskets for the practice area.
2. Concrete tees are in the works. About half will be 12 feet diameter circles. The others half will be 4X12 rectangles. He doesn't want regular color concrete. He's looking at having them dyed green.
3. There will be sponsor tee signs from DGA on every hole.
4. They approved the purchase of a RED set of Mach 5's & SILVER set of Mach 5's. Both sets will have number plates. Each hole will feature 2 pins per hole. The more beginner friendly set will be silver and the more difficult set will be red. The beginner set will be very easy.
5. If the park board approves the design there are several over the water shots.
6. Dana & I talked to the project leader onsite today. If all goes well hole #1 will feature 2 island greens.
7. The course will feature several hanging baskets.
8. Dana found an awesome grouping of trees. I don't want to give away the most unqiue feature on the course. I've never heard of this or ever seen this on a course. It's going to blow you away! The park district guy thinks he can make it happen. Check out my facebook for pictures.
9. There will be a big wood chip pile on one hole to block the righty hyzer route and force the tunnel shot.
10. Several berms come into play.
11. More to come!!!!!

[pdga#7648]

man, talk about a big tease! 

[Steven Jacobs]

Sounds Sweet!!!

[blackandwhite]

talk about some blue balls

[Jon Brakel]

I'm really glad that its not April 1st!

[dana]

The hype is real.

[goalkeeper19]

crossing my fingers for a course within 60 minutes of the city....

[DiscGolfSchodt]

Sounds very good, can't wait.

[CEValkyrie]

Sounds very good, can't wait.

Check out my facebook. I just posted 4 pictures.

[DiscGolfSchodt]

Do I need a Facebook account to view them?

[CEValkyrie]

Note: The park is closed and under construction. There are a ton of workers out there during the day and the main park guy is relentless. Don't piss him off! It's not even worth going out there anyway. Without a guide you won't be able to find the holes anyway.

Disclaimer: Just like any other course project that is being funded by the park and has park board involvement I cannot gurantee everything in my first post until the course is actually installed and completed.

*I do have a few pictures up on facebook* See the first post for items on the course.

The baskets and tee signs have been ordered so that is a good sign!

Location
Manhattan, IL
Round Barn Disc Golf Course

[CEValkyrie]

Keep in mind that this course was initially slated to go in as a typical 9 hole Chicago style course designed by someone who's never played. By the chance of luck the park guy found a number on one of the DGA baskets at Channahon and called it. I met with him and the talks of taking this project to the next level started.

There are quite a few restrictions on this course that we had to keep in mind. I feel pretty good about the course if things go as planned. I told the main park guy that this wouldn't be the best course in the area but it will be the most unique in the state of Illinois. It's super easy playing to the beginner baskets. The longer baskets will be challenging but it will be an uder par course for Adv/Pro players. It's more standard par 3 golf but has three par 4's. The land didn't offer a Par 62 layout.

Half of the course is located in a property owned by the Forest Preserve. No digging or cutting can take place in the woods. That section is very similar to Mokena. Tee pads in the woods will be laid on top of the ground to not disturb roots. They will fill around them to level the ground out so they are not dangerous. Baskets will not be installed in a typical fashion.  2 will hang from trees. Some will be installed on a mound. Others will have a concrete form above ground.

They park board was on the fence about a couple of the water holes. For now it seems like they are going to allow them. Both are signature holes.

There is some really nice land on the north side that runs to the creek. There is a lot of rough and nice slopes. This land is OFF LIMITS. That is the first thing he told me and I was totally bummed. They are planting natural flowers near an open section that I had to avoid. This took away from a really cool green area with water in play.

There are 3 pavillions,  1 gazebo, and 1 walking path that had to be considered.

Overall, i'm very excited about this project. If it gets installed the way it's laid out now it will be a great addition to the south suburb area.

[CEValkyrie]

Here is a picture of the 100ft Round Barn on the property. This used to be a farm that the park district purchased.

[OvEr HaNd AsSaSiN]

NICE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CEValkyrie]

1st Water shot.

[CEValkyrie]

2nd water shot.

[CEValkyrie]

Jail House green!  Visual a Mach 5 with another stacked directly on top!

[CEValkyrie]

Tight tunnel underneath or overhand over the top.

[jasonc]

Lookin good!   

[whitechocolate]

Place looks awesome!  Looks like I will have another reason I will miss the south side in November.

(Good thing the list is short)