Greater Oconee Disc Golf

If you drive through Westminster and travel on the other side of the tracks from downtown or Main Street Westminster, there is a lone disc golf basket in a small city park.  One basket, an InnovaDiscs sign and nothing else.

Word is from Westminster City Manage David Smith that the Mayor (not sure of his name) is a big disc golf fan and has played for years. 

Westminster owns a large parcel of land adjacent to Chau Ram County Park and leases some land to Chau Ram.  There’s been rumors for years that there will one day be a disc golf course in Chau Ram.  If you’ve ever been to that county park, you would think it could possible be the prettiest disc golf course in the Southern US…if it wrapped around the trails along the river.

We’re (GODG) working on getting some sort of information on the expansion of the sport in Westminster or Chau Ram.

The club has been working with the City of Seneca to expand the course at Shaver Recreation Complex.  Last year, there were plans in the works for the city to fund $5,400 for the purchase of an additional 18 baskets with sleeves for Seneca.  Shaver would then have two 18 holes courses.

Adam Wright recently reported to the club that that money has been cut from the city budget due to the economy in Seneca and more important things were also being cut from the budget.

Seneca Mayor Dan Alexander has recommended the club come before the city council and ‘feel them out’ about using A-Tax money to fund an expansion of the course.  For this to happen, we (GODG) would need to show the city council how many out-of-town players play the course in Seneca and how many players travel to Seneca for tournaments and end up staying in hotels, motels and at camp grounds.  The more players we can show or document that come to Seneca to play and end up staying over night and eating in local restaurants, the better chance we have of getting money.

 If the city council is receptive, we would be eligible for a grant in October.  Mayor Alexander believes that while the council wouldn’t vote until October, he would be able to ‘get a feel’ for the council.  If he feels the decision is likely to be in our favor for an additional course, the club would begin to plan.

A second course would utilize a large field to the west of the current course and would be more open and quite a bit longer than the current course.  The hope is that Seneca would have two very different courses…one offering a wide open course to go along with the current short ‘finess’ course.

As we work toward this second course, we will keep you updated.

The Greater Oconee Disc Golf club has decided to take on the South Carolina Disc Golf Doubles Championship.  The club voted recently at a meeting to make the tournament an official club event.

Club member Adam Wright had decided to launch a state doubles championship after learning that no one in SC was currently doing such an event.  He ran the event as a stand alone event with help from GODC; the Foothills Club and the Upstate Club.

How long GODG will host the event will be determined on a year to year basis.  Adam Wright told the club as long as he has an interest and can raise sponsorship dollars, he will continue at the TD of the event.

As of right now there is one major sponsor for the SC Doubles event covering all the promotional material and advertising.  That includes all player pack material, so expect a great players pack for this event.