Chino, CA

Prado DGC

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3.525(based on 33 reviews)
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8 0
DocHaole
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 17.3 years 79 played 48 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Not to be missed 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 16, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

- All holes are well marked which makes navigation a breeze.
- New tee pads, New baskets, restrooms, and water fountains everywhere.
- Plenty of obstacles including water, hills, large trees and howling wind.
- Holes are well planned out and require you to use a variety of throws.
- Mostly Disc Golf Exclusive, there were a few fisherman but most everyone stays on the other side of the lake.
- Crowds are light even on the weekends.
- Overall the course is kept in pristine condition. No trash on the ground, grass well maintained.

Cons:

$10 entry fee is the most I've paid for disc golf, but it is worth it. Bugs are out in swarms, even in the wind.

Many of the baskets were out in the open, although there were plenty of trees blocking drives the baskets were largely unguarded. A few well placed new trees could go a long way.

Other Thoughts:

Definitely worth the drive and the money.

The combination of high winds and water can really play some mind games with you. Throw an understable disc on 7 and you can kiss it goodbye.

I looked into parking outside the park and walking in (because I'm cheap like that), and I couldn't find any place to park withing a 15 minute walk. So at this time carpooling remains the best bet.
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6 0
fifteen
Experience: 15.4 years 41 played 11 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Unique SoCal Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 10, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Different from the usual Southern California courses. Different lines are required here and that helps you hone your disc golfing skills. Some holes play along the lake which can play mind games with you but they aren't a factor if you choose the right line.

The baskets and the teepads are in great shape and navigation isn't a problem. The signs are unique, wooden signs with the number and distance etched on them.

Cons:

The price to enter is quite steep, $10 per car so carpool if you can to cut costs. The park is also a lake and a campground so you'll be faced with a lot of non-golfers walking around. Give 'em a shout for a head up or to get them move a bit.

Some holes have picnic tables smack in the middle of the fairway which is a recipe for disaster should there be a family having a weekend picnic.

Other Thoughts:

Came out here for a tournament and am glad I made the trip up from San Diego. Loved hole #7 which is a long hole with a right dogleg to the basket, play it right and you'll easily par it.

Wind picks up in the afternoon which can play with your shots, keep 'em low to defeat the wind.

I definitely will come out here again to defeat the wind!
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12 0
OcDiscGolf
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 26.8 years 23 played 19 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Scenic and Challenging 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 13, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

• Beautiful surroundings in a semi-rural park like setting; rolling hills surround the entire strip of land
• Elevation change in play on the majority of the course adding additional challenge
• Drinking alcohol is fully legal here
• Brand new super grippy, extra long concrete tees
• New tee signs and brand new (correctly) numbered baskets
• Water comes into play on several holes and makes you rethink your lines
• Lots of trees act as great natural obstacles
• All of the angles are thought out, and there is plenty of variety for both right and left hand throwers here.
• Plenty of trashcans and a few bathrooms
• Picnic benches on almost all of the holes
• Seems to be a disc golf exclusive area, although a few fishermen were a bit oblivious and almost got hit. I think they'll get it soon enough.

Cons:

• $10 to Park. I am all for pitching in but that price makes this the most expensive DG Course I've ever been to
• The wind picks up in the afternoons and can make for challenging play (might not be a con for everyone). Putts especially become very difficult when the wind picks up.
• Not much shade - almost all of the benches are out in the open. Seems like it would get HOT here in the summer time. No secluded "break" hole to speak of.

Other Thoughts:

Prado is a brand new course off the 71 Expressway in Chino's beautiful Prado Regional Park. The concrete tees were recently installed along with the tee signs (March 2010), making this beautiful course that much better. The course plays along a lake with reeds on the edges, and the banks of the river slope gradually in most places. Water comes into play on a few holes here, especially on Hole # 7, without a doubt the signature hole on this course. It is a 527 foot right curve around the water, but there is a line directly across. Few that go for this line actually make it, but when they do - it's a thing of beauty. The Safe route is about 300 feet to the apex, then straight at the basket slightly over the water.

The water can also get into your head as it toys with you on 4, 6, and 8 as well. #8 Shoots over a hill to the basket blind at about .250 feet on a slight RHBH hyzer. The basket sits on a hill with a significant amount of slope and the water is a menacing 40 feet behind it. Air it out here and you most likely end up in the water or the reeds, both of which are an almost impossible retrieval.

The scenery is unparalleled at this course, and offers a great cross section of nature not normally seen in California. The large turkey vultures are one of the primary attractions here, whether they are circling at 800 feet or lounging in one of the many trees watching the fishermen, hoping for a free handout. I Also saw a few very large hawks here when I played.

Don't miss this course if playing in the Orange/San Bernardino/Riverside/San Diego/L.A. area. It's a good one and it's here to stay. It has tinges of both La Mirada and Whittier Narrows, but the water coming actively into play isn't the norm in Socal and that definitely adds to the allure here. It was designed by two of the best in the business, and I almost get the feeling it is the closest to Innova's "homebase" course that we will see due to its proximity to their corporate office. It was fun to see Dave Dunipace playing 2 groups in front of ours. It was even more fun to watch him help with some disc retrieval after a few errant shots went in the water.
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10 0
pokamitch
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 38.7 years 30 played 27 reviews
4.00 star(s)

SoCal Gem!! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 25, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

1) Great layout. Many different shots/ variety of lines to each hole. Distances to pins varied alot. Plenty of elevation changes. Water comes into play on a few holes. Very easy to navigate, with "tombstone" directing you to the next hole. O.K. flow, only a few long walks back to tees.

2) Excellent equipment/ ammeneties. **All tee pads are large, grippy concrete**. Nice signs with accurate hole lengths. Plenty of trash cans, benches, and restrooms. Brand New Chains. A Pro-Shop is coming soon as well.

3) Disc Golf Exclusive Area!!!! Well maintained by the park services. Awesome views/ scenery

4) Easy to reach from O.C., L.A., Riverside, and even San Diego Counties

Cons:

1) Pay to play. I don't mind because I will be coming with a few guys from OC. $7/ weekdays, $10/ weekends, holidays. I think it is worth it because of the pros I listed

2) A lil too wide open. Could use some more trees around holes to make the short game tougher

3)**Although the teepads are large and grippy concrete, they were not leveled. Seems like a waste to spend the money, make them and not even level em out. Tees are supposed to be level, not ramps. This really confounds me due to the fact the guys at Innova designed and built the course. You would think they would have a clue...**

Other Thoughts:

I am so stoked that we have a high caliber, championship quality course within a reasonable distance from OC. I really enjoy playing at this course and plan on enjoying it for many more years. Very roller friendly course

Gets really windy in the hills. Bring stable plastic

**Favorite Holes**

Front
# 5- Nice rip of 370' downhill. Very reachable with several different routes to navigate for every style of throw you use.

Back
#17- Straight shot between 2 large trees. Elevation goes down then rises up to a small hill where the hole is located. Gives the effect that the hole is elevated but it really is pretty much level with the tee
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11 1
Discette
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 28.2 years 681 played 64 reviews
4.00 star(s)

new Tee Pads and Signs 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Mar 10, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

One of the most beautiful parks in So Cal with grassy fairways, scenic lake and mountain views. Layout requires a variety of shots.

Awesome new concrete tees have been installed. The new tee pads are 6 by 12 with a rough finish that works great wet or dry. There are new custom tee signs on each hole with distances.

There are restrooms with running water near Holes 1-3 and a second set of portables by Hole 13.



If you have an annual pass, it will allow you access to Yucaipa Regional Park as well.

Cons:

While I am not sure it is a con, water does come into play on several holes. So there is the possibility of losing an errant drive.

There are fire ants in the park. They tend to be found at the base of the Eucalyptus trees. Be careful when setting a bag down on areas without grass.



Other Thoughts:

Wind does pick up in the afternoons adding challenge to the course.
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3 3
lmowdy
Experience: 2 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

el prado 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 4, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

relatively empty on weekdays and a controlled turnout on weekends. was able to play 18 holes on a wed morning completely by ourselves.

terrain an obstacles were fair at the same time challenging. holes 1 & 2 are great for a quick warm up. 3&4 are a tad bit longer and more challenging, both requiring a nice low gliding anhyizer shot. 4 plays along a slight decline that really gets your legs warmed up for the rest of the front 9. hole 5 and so on is when you see the distance come into play.

when having problems finding tee's ask anyone around. each hole is bordering another so help is always there. and everyone who's played as had the same problem.

trash cans near every tee so please dont litter

tables and grills spread through the course which are great for disc golf bbq's and lunches.

Cons:

some might like this but i dont. each hole had its own unique challenge thus requiring its own shot. wether it was up hill requiring a right turn, long down hill right turn, roller shot, uphill through trees, etc. although fun and challenging i found myself frustrated and waiting for the chance to just let one fly! if you have a bag full of confident shots, or are practicing a series of shots its great. but for those of us looking for a home course to breeze through this isnt it.

as said so many times, the tees are a huge problem. not only finding them but most uneven and some mud holes after the storm. worst holes are 9 &10. hole nine tees off right in the corner of the road and a small damn. you have the 4-5' tee space which is up a slight incline and directly behind the tee is a concrete and rock damn. you'll see when you get there... none the less i add about 10 feet to the hole by shooting on the street. hole 10 i do the same because the tee lies directly in a dip. so you start your step going down hill and finish your throw up hill. thus if your throw requires a run up like mine, you will not like these two holes in particular. either way i do hope tee pads are added which im sure wont be.

park closes at 5pm. dont know if summer hours are different. hopfully they are.


Other Thoughts:

fun place to play if your in the riverside area. but if not huntington and la mirada are more ideal to frequent if coming from oc. after about 5 visits to prado im still more inclined to dive out to la mirada on the weekends..
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14 0
Danger
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.3 years 105 played 70 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jan 31, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

-Brand spankin' new shiny DisCatcher baskets...with numbers on them!
-Long holes that are not repetitive, expected to be bored by the 18th hole but definitely wanted more at the end.
-Lake provides a uniqueness not often found in So Cal.
-Spread out, park was not busy but even when busy, I don't expect it to be much of a problem.
-It is legal to drink beer at this course.
-Map provided at entrance of park, if you want one. You don't really need it.
-I know it is cliche to say, but you can really bring your whole bag out on this one.
-Elevation change presented some fun challenges, including a couple of blinds.
-Great rough, grippy tee pads.
-Very nice home made tee signs indicating par and distance of each hole.
-Practice basket
-Staff says they regularly sweep the lake for discs, and call numbers on them. They also accept and return lost discs at the entry kiosk. They are very excited to attend to disc golfers!!!

Cons:

-Busy road next to the park detracts from the seclusion I like to find at regional parks that require an entrance fee. Nonetheless, still a pretty serene and peaceful park.
-As of now, the park closes at 5pm. Hopefully this gets pushed back as summer comes around, as it is getting dark around 8pm now.

Other Thoughts:

Course plays on a grassy section of the regional park which is mostly flat, but has some very slight rolling hills. The most significant elevation change is a slant going toward the lake which mostly affects the first half of the course. Trees are spread out, but holes are effectively placed to utilize the tree locations well.

Tee signs and pads make course very easy to navigate. On tee's that are a particularly long walk from the previous pin, there are bricks in the ground indicating the direction of the next tee. This makes the course one of the easiest to navigate that I have ever seen.

Tees and baskets toward the center of the park can be confusing to figure out. Generally, it's the one that isn't too close and not extremely far.

Hole 7 around the lake was particularly scenic. I do not have the arm to go over the lake, fortunately you are not required to make this move. Hole 8 was a fun, short downhill blind that can turn out to be a disaster if you throw too far or roll into the reed near the lake.

Holes 17 and 18 felt kind of makeshift with the tee pads being on the other side of roads, but totally made sense and were a lot of fun.

Among all of the flat park courses found in the Los Angeles area, this one proved to be unique having the slightly slanted terrain and lake to add to the fun. Also being new and not too busy, it was nice to play at our own pace and not be stuck in the busy park rotation that is becoming more and more of a problem in the area. The $7 weekday / $10 weekend charge is sure to keep the vast majority of free course seeking DG'ers away.

I am excited to watch this course evolve. While some have said it is in need of a re-design, I found the current design to be adequate. While it does play over benches and bbq's, I can't imagine anybody ever wanting to use these facilities, which are located in pretty boring locations when compared to the rest of the park.

Area appeared to be DG exclusive, however we did notice the outline of a soccer field in the middle of the course. I am guessing that they are no longer going to use this for that purpose. I noticed some fields on the other side of the lake.

Given the completion of the pads, signs, 'next tee' markers, DisCatcher baskets, long holes and scenery, this has now become a top 5 (in so cal) course for me. I hear there is a pro shop coming at some point.
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12 0
backswing_aplenty
Experience: 19.4 years 83 played 9 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Great getaway from LA 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jan 10, 2010 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Great spot to have a course. Cool little section of a larger park complex with extremely manicured grass and trees, and some rolling ills to keep you on your toes.
Mix of long and short holes with a lake near 4 holes that doesn't really come into play but looms near enough to mess with your head. (made and offering my first round on hole #4, don't flip a Wraith into the lake.)

You are forced to use many different shots in your bag. Long open D, controlled D, forehand, anhyzer lines, uphill, and downhill shots.

Well marked tees for not having concrete tee boxes or signs. Easy and intuitive course flow, always found the next tee with ease.

Baskets are pristine and you have a practice basket with some elevation and a few trees to practice with.

Bathrooms by hole 1 and trashcans everywhere.

Great dogleg right on hole 7(?) that forces a quality drive to be lined up for the approach, followed by a nifty blind hill shot and then a nice shot with an early tunnel. Great 3 hole run.

Cons:

In need of another redesign.

If just 3 or 4 tees were moved about 10-20ft. farther from or either left or right in relation to the basket this course would be bumped up .5 in rating.

The back 9 has 4 holes that are simple 375-400 straight across a field, maybe a tree here or there but just a heave-ho. Fairly easy for those that can throw that far, but a simple 3 for everyone else. Trouble early or trouble late would give much more difficulty and you only need to move the tee a few feet left or right or even closer to make one think about the shot.

Only a few guarded pins, most are wide open looks at the basket not requiring much thought off the tee. Moving a few pins to the bottoms of the shallow valleys created by the rolling hills with create some more interesting greens.

There's a giant hill just begging for an alternate tee or pin placement behind hole 8/9.

Some fairways threw directly over a BBQ and benches?! How this was allowed is amazing to me. No one was using the park for anything but fishing (away from the course) and DG. Again need to shift some lines around the course from the tees.

Other Thoughts:

Not a pro or con, just and "is" - $10 per vehicle to get into the park. It is what it is, find some friends to carpool like I did.

I really liked this course and the potential it holds. There are no concrete teepads yet but the grass is so well manicured and flat they're not really necessary yet and are neither a pro nor con at the moment.

This also gives Dave Dunipace the option to further tweak the course, which needs to be done, and will only make the course better.

I will be out to this course often. A great addition to the So Cal scene and welcome location away from the greater LA area.
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13 0
bazillion
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 24.1 years 55 played 37 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Excellent practice course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jan 10, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course plays on a peninsula that juts out into a lake. The whole thing is part of a much larger park (not explored) that offers multiple activities. Lots of birds around including vultures (?) of some sort, really pretty scenery everywhere you look.

The place is super clean. Lots of trash cans, two permanent restroom buildings, and plenty of picnic bench seating.

We played in the morning and had no wind problems at all, although it did pick up a bit toward noon. I'd expect it to be breezy in the afternoon, so bring your wind game if you plan to play after lunch. Also when we played, there had been no rain for about a week at least, which meant the course was dry and good for rollers. Tee #16 though was noticeably mushy and could be a real swamp after a storm.

The holes range from 225-450 feet and all have grass tees marked with concrete blocks. Not worn, probably because this course is fairly new. (See "other thoughts" for more on tees.) Discatchers all around, nice and deep and in great shape.

The course is open, with small elevation changes throughout. If you can drive 400 you could do the whole thing with a putter. Not many trees, but enough to give you some thought as to lines. The lake does not really come into play - there's only one hole where throwing over water is an option - but we still lost three discs: one in the water and two in the reeds, which are an unusual hazard. If your disc goes more than two feet into the reeds, it's lost.

Added June 6, 2010: Every hole is par-able by anyone who can throw 250 or better. Birds abound for cannon arms.

Cons:

Two cons. First, there are no technical holes anywhere on this course. The designers did a great job with what they had to work with, but that's a definite minus in my book.

The other minus is the $10-per-car entry fee. Yeah, the park is great, but that's a bit steep for DGers who are used to playing for free. We carpooled.

Other Thoughts:

June 6, 2010 update: Cement tees are in and they are righteous - up half a disc for this. Long, wide, flat, with a rough surface that gives you confidence in your footing. One or two are a bit off-horizontal but not dangerously so. As before, given a choice between playing Prado or Whittier, I'll take Prado for the scenery.
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5 11
Steve Nunez
Experience: 43.6 years 1 played 1 reviews
2.50 star(s)

Prado Dam 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 28, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

nice scenery and open course. All of the holes are within birdie range

Cons:

Too windy, the wind will always be a challenge on this course. With no wind this course will be like any beginner course. Dave and Steve could've put better planning and some flag poles for the player to see the baskets. Charging a fee will inhibit young players coming here and this course is designed for beginners who can throw long,but what beginner can do that? Next time I want to play at an open couse like Prado, I'll go to Whittier Narrows,I don't have to waste gas then.

Other Thoughts:

move the tee pads away from the previous holes fairway and no one will get hurt!
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4 5
JonnyHyzer
Experience: 18.8 years 20 played 4 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Fun to play 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 19, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Nice scenic park in a rural area with great views.
- Flat areas with small rolling hills allows for a variety of shot types.
- Good use of trees (evergreen and decidious), hills and water on most holes.
- Good mix of hole lengths. Good shots are rewarded with birdy opps.
- 18 Brand new Discatcher baskets

Cons:

- The layout felt a bit crampt. Some of the tee postions conflict with other fairways.
- There are a few holes you shoot blind over a hill. Would be nice to use tall flags on these pins.
- #2 shoots blind over a small hill and back toward Tee 1, Tee 3, and lunch bench area.
- Grass tees
- Park was pretty windy the whole day I was there (seems other reviewers experienced similar conditons).

Other Thoughts:

Fun little course - Looking forward to playing it more and seeing it evolve w/ optional tee/pin locations.
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16 0
Apothecary
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 27.4 years 66 played 36 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Two Thumbs Up 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Dec 19, 2009 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

-Away from the loud traffic of the greater LA metro area
-Challenging course design. Rolling hills and water are a threat. Opportunities for every type of shot imaginable
-Lefty and righty-friendly
-Clean bathrooms near the early holes
-Dog Friendly
-Booze friendly :D
-Camping close by. I didn't see where the camping was, but it would be cool to camp out there for a night and play Prado, Yucaipa and Van Buren Golf Center
-The staff in the booth were very helpful, explaining where to park, where hole 1 is and hooking up a map. If only they sold discs...
-Friendly people playing the course, many of whom were there for the first time. Enough golfers (really good ones) to have fun watching, but not so many that they slow you down.
-All dry, grippy grass tees that are in great condition.
-Fun little orange flags to mark the tees, in addition to stones that have the hole number and the distance on them. I found navigating Prado to be a breeze and didn't need the map once.
-New, marked, deep baskets

Cons:

-Wind. Both times I have played there the wind picked up right as we were rounding the front. It can get pretty bad. I want to camp and play early next time.
-$7.00-10.00 USD seems a little steep, but the place is immaculate. Well-manicured and trash free. Really seem to get what you pay for.
-The place begs for a pro/snack shop

Other Thoughts:

I loved the use of terrain of this course. Prado has hilly terrain that slopes towards the water in most places on the front and opens up for bigger arms on the back. Some shots are right along the water...don't let it juke you! Large trees and a few tees with overhanging branches to throw under make this course one of the better intermediate-advanced level course.
And then there's the wind.
When it whips up off the surrounding water, it howls and makes for an interesting round. Without the gusty conditions the back 9 would great for long rollers.
Prado is a great big arm course with a good mix of high-risk technical shots. It's excellent layout and quiet setting make it one of the nicer courses in the area. It is located close to the 91 and is easy to stop off and shoot a round at if you're heading East. Take the time to check out this new, hot course. You won't regret it!

**UPDATE**
Played the course yesterday. BEWARE FIRE ANTS INFESTING TREE BY TEE 2! Lil buggers are nasty.

They have also moved a few tees back, making this course MUCH tougher and more high-risk.

-.5 discs for the ant problem.
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10 0
ibgollie
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 19.3 years 62 played 31 reviews
3.00 star(s)

El Prado 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 15, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

- Great park with nice lakes, beautiful views, thick grass and big trees
-Good balance of short, long, uphill, & downhill holes.
-Get to work on all aspects of your game.
-Easy to get to and close to freeway access.
-Course maps available at entrance to the park
-Pay to enter the park (keeps the riff-raff out)
-You can drink if your of age
-18 brand new discatchers with the optional bonus practice basket

Cons:

-Pay to enter the park ($7). Annual passes are available but they're over a hundred bones. They do get you into most the other San Bernadino parks though including Yuciapa I believe.
-Natural tees and minimal signage, but cmon, it's brand spankin new!
-Soothing sound of the nearby shooting range. (Not really that big a deal)
-Park closes at 5 during the winter

Other Thoughts:

This is a good course that is fun to play for all skill levels, tough par course for beginners and an ace runnin' birdie course to skilled players. A great thing about the course is that it is easy to stretch a tee box here or there to really challenge better players. Not a lot either, 30-50' here and there and this course becomes a lot tougher.

Version 1.0 of the course is good and it will only get better with age. More pin locations, permanent tee boxes, a couple layout things ironed out and the course will be a solid course to work on your game.

There is a LOT of potential at this course and I'm looking forward to watching it progess into a great DG location.
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